Buyer

PURPOSE

Responsible for purchasing materials, performing a broad range of duties relating to production and inventory control planning and coordinates and performs activities relevant to supply chain management. Also acts as a liaison with Manufacturing, Engineering, and Customer Service in matters pertaining to inventories, production scheduling and customer service.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

·        Support manufacturing and commercial teams by ensuring adequate and timely flow of materials and services.

·        Extensive use of Excel spreadsheets to understand material needs driven by the production plan and inventory strategies.

·        Compare material needs to current and expected inventories and make decisions regarding purchasing volumes.

·        Create purchase orders and route for approvals as necessary. Monitor and track outstanding purchase orders to ensure timely receipt of products.

·        Follow up with suppliers to obtain confirmation on pricing, delivery, and ensure technical understanding and capability. Confirm Purchase Order acknowledgments and verify accuracy of PO details.

·        Analyze purchasing data, supplier performance levels, purchase history, and cost trends. Generate reports to leadership, as needed, to support decision making processes.

·        Collaborate with Production Scheduling, Manufacturing, and Sales to enable accurate forecasting, inventory levels and delivery schedules.

·        Develop and manage vendor relations and transactions, communicate issues, measure performance, and ensure compliance.

·        Aggressively identify and implement cost saving opportunities and open supply chain avenues to new vendors.

·        Participate in projects related to purchasing and inventory control to include process improvements, cost reduction initiatives, or system implementation projects.

·        Work cross-functionally and with AP, Receiving, Engineering, Operations, Quality Assurance, and/or suppliers to resolve discrepancies; i.e. quantities, paperwork, non-conformance, etc. and coordinate corrective action.

·        Lead aspects of strategic sourcing, which may include Request for Quotes (RFQ) preparation, proposal evaluation, price/cost analysis, and contract negotiation

·        Oversee and/or conduct supplier site visits as necessary.

·        Track Vendor delivery performance, on-time delivery and expedited freight occurrences

·        Coordinate incoming freight of raw materials.

·        Execute decisions that are consistent with meeting organizational financial goals.

·        Other duties as assigned

·        Must be cognizant of all-departmental procedures and associated responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS

·        Strong negotiation skills to aggressively close deals that positively affect bottom-line results.

·        Strong listening, interpersonal and communication skills for communicating upward, downward, and horizontal messages.

·        Good knowledge of products and manufacturing processes.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

·        College degree preferred. Equivalent experience in lieu of a degree may be considered.

·        Minimum 3-5 years relevant experience in a supply chain and procurement function and/or sufficient experience to demonstrate means and initiative to solve problems, develop process improvements and achieve desired outcomes. 

LANGUAGE ABILITY

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating instructions, and work instructions.

MATH ABILITY

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide using whole numbers.

COMPUTER SKILLS

Proficient with Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, Teams, etc.) applications and computer technology.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES

None

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None

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.

Works in an office setting. An employee performing the duties of this job is required to use proper safety procedures to eliminate any potential hazards. The noise level in the work environment is minimal.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Work requires moderate physical effort and the use of motor skills requiring manual dexterity. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will regularly sit, stand, and walk. The employee must be able to physically lift, lower, and carry products weighing up to 20 lbs.

“Safety-Sensitive Functions” are prohibited from reporting to work or being on duty while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.