Buyer III

REPORTS TO : Supply Chain Manager - AAT

SUPERVISES : N / A

Austal USA Advanced Technologies (AT) is a division of Austal USA, a global defense prime contractor and a designer and manufacturer of defense and commercial ships.

Austal USA AT works at the forefront to invent, mature, and implement advanced maritime technologies which enhance operational capacities and improve readiness of our defense systems. Austal USA AT operates a technology hub in Charlottesville VA which works to bring cutting-edge manufacturing technologies to scale and also oversees operation of the U.S. Navy’s Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AM COE) located in Danville, VA. The mission of the AM COE is to operationalize additive manufacturing in the submarine industrial base and provide emergent request support to sustain our Nation’s fleet.

GENERAL SUMMARY :

DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Performs quoting, negotiating and issuing purchase orders $5M in value, in a timely manner, for, parts, subassemblies, finished goods, equipment, tooling, supplies and / or services from suppliers via purchase requisitions.
• Follows up with requestors and end users regarding purchase order due dates and status when inquiries are made.
• Follows all supply chain policies, procedures, guidelines and instructions including those regarding the procurement of materials and particularly the ability to keep confidential information regarding all purchasing or commodity strategies confidential (and in some cases, within the supply chain function exclusively).
• Runs and maintains the buying desk’s purchase requisition or MRP open order, expedite, de-expedite, and past due reports and ensures MRP / IFS system is updated accordingly.
• Assists with Submarine Industrial Base supplier activation and onboarding efforts.
• Works closely with engineering, production, digital IT to understand service, tooling, equipment and materials needed to quote and order competitively as require
• Strives to increase understanding of the services, material and manufacturing processes associated with the assigned buying desk.
• Responsible for supporting related departments with the resolution of supplier invoice discrepancies and non-conforming material, requisition issues etc.
• Represents the supplier inside Austal.
• Maintains close communication with supplier account and customer service personnel, and management levels if necessary, so as to minimize risk due to supplier capacity issues, plant shutdowns, and other day to day disruptions that may affect Austal and / or open purchase orders.
• Assists with supplier metrics and advises suppliers of their performance.
• Maintains professional relationships with suppliers on the assigned buying desk even in difficult times.
• Provides input on commodity strategies and related projects.
• Reviews statements of work when required.
• Purchases in both MRP and project / purchase requisition oriented type environments under Contractor Purchasing Systems Review guidelines.
• Assists other Buyers when required.
• Participates in plant continuous improvement, Lean Manufacturing, 5S, and other initiatives involving the plant Supply Chain function or assigned buying desk when appropriate.
• Is the main contact point for outside departments (e.g., Engineering, Accounting, etc.) as well as suppliers.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Complies with Austal’s employee handbook general guidelines, company procedures and policies.

QUALIFICATIONS / KNOWLEDGE / EXPERIENCE :

Bachelor’s Degree required, Degree in Business, Supply Chain or Material Management preferred.

8 years purchasing experience may be considered in lieu of degree

ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES :

DIRECTION EXERCISED : May provide training and guidance for Buyer I and Buyer II team members.

DISCRETION EXERCISED : Relies on experience, education and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Incumbent will be expected to demonstrate creativity and latitude in order to meet goals and objectives established. Will require the capacity to self-direct and reprioritize activity in order to support business needs and meet deadlines.

LIAISES WITH : Company- Other Buyers, Sr. Procurement Manager, Strategic Sourcing Specialist, Strategic Sourcing Manager, Sr. Director Supply Chain and Logistics, Senior Management, Materials Program Managers, Material program staff, Senior Logistics Manager, Traffic Lead, Compliance Coordinator (Supply Chain), document control and other administrative department personnel. External- Suppliers

TOOLS : Basic office machines, PC, copier\scanner, etc.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS :

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Must be able to tour all vessels and work sites at Austal USA.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to manipulate, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee will also be required to sit for extended periods of time in an office setting.

Specific physical requirements include the following :

WORK ENVIRONMENT :

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to humid conditions, bright flashing lights, moving mechanical parts, high precarious places, outside weather conditions, and extreme heat. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes and / or airborne particles at or below the PEL, toxic or caustic chemicals, and heat and cold. The noise level in the work environment is usually very loud, 90 dB.

SAFETY :

Must comply with company, federal, state, and local safety and environmental rules and regulations while performing daily job tasks.

Equal Employment Commitment