SENIOR BUYER (CHEMICAL)

Ready to join a FIVE-time US Best Managed Company award winner? KENT® Corporation has a fantastic opportunity to join their thriving team as a Senior Buyer! This critical role will be responsible for purchasing products for the organization to use or resell, evaluate suppliers, negotiate contracts and review product quality. The Sr. Buyer will work in a collaborate environment with the Procurement team and with Internal Customers to develop, communicate and accomplish the Company’s goals and objectives.

• This position is designed and intended to be performed in Muscatine, IA.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversee the purchasing of food grade chemicals and ingredients for multiple manufacturing facilities.
• Provide guidance and oversight to chlor-alkali categories of supply including category roadmaps.
• Negotiate contracts with suppliers for; quality, service, best pricing and volume purchases. Present recommendations to the Procurement Sourcing Board.
• Negotiate and settle with suppliers damage claims, rejections, issues, return of materials, over shipments, cancellations.
• Negotiate best vendor terms, pricing, and delivery based on budget and schedule requirements.
• Evaluate and monitor contracts to ensure vendors and suppliers comply with the terms and conditions of the contracts.
• Conduct supplier site visits and rate them as to production capability, performance and delivery as needed.
• Lead project teams which align to organizational goals.
• Provide leadership for team members as needed.
• Develop solutions to complex problems which require the regular use of ingenuity and innovation.
• Provide superior business stakeholder experiences, while building long-term relations and demonstrating a passion toward stakeholder commitments.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Operations or Supply Chain Management, Business, Economics or experienced professional with a complete understanding and application of purchasing principles, concepts, practices and standards as demonstrated
• Prefer 6 years purchasing experience
• Food manufacturing or chlor-alkali chemicals experience preferred
• Full knowledge of industry practices and Global Food Safety Initiative
• Must be able to operate with a wide degree of creativity and latitude
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to speak and communicate with many levels within the organization
• Strong understanding of operational flows, planning and scheduling

EXPECTED TRAVEL:

• Must be willing to travel up to 30% of the time