Senior Buyer

The Senior Sourcing Specialist is responsible for commodity leadership, strategy, and implementation of key procurement processes within assigned commodities / categories, ensuring key procurement objectives are met. This role is responsible for providing both strategic and tactical procurement support and coverage on spend categories, ensuring competitive cost sourcing of quality goods and services and satisfactory supplier performance.  The Senior Sourcing Specialist is additionally responsible for sourcing materials, products and services from approved suppliers that meet McFarlane’s quality, delivery, and cost requirements. 

Reports To: Director of Operations

Essential Functions/ Responsibilities

Strategic Duties

• Provides oversight/management guidance and training for other Buyer/Purchasing team members.  
• Provide procurement support and coverage on spend categories, ensuring competitive cost sourcing of quality goods and services. 
• Responsible for commodity leadership, strategy, and implementation of key procurement processes within assigned commodities / categories, ensuring key procurement objectives are met.
• Negotiate and manage long-term pricing agreements on critical commodities such as resale and distribution products and raw materials.  
• Develop sources of supply and monitor supplier performance
• Support the logistics channels and review and set Long Term Agreements (Fed Ex, UPS, etc.)

Vendor/Supplier Management

• Optimize supplier performance and minimizing risk in the supply chain 
  • Qualifies vendors, evaluates bids and negotiates prices and terms for purchased goods and services
  • Monitor supplier performance by ensuring that product is delivered as scheduled and meets specifications; maintaining appropriate files and records of meetings with suppliers to ensure company requirements are met and that supplier is aware of their performance concerning purchasing operations.
  • Expedite with suppliers to ensure timely delivery of goods
  • Performs onsite vendor visits for Qualification and Corrective Action/Preventive Action Revie

Other Duties    

• Plan, schedule, and administrate purchase orders to ensure quality products are delivered on time
• Buy items at the best value, create purchase orders, and solicit bid proposals
• Act as a liaison to plan, coordinate, and implement strategies for all supply chain activities related to fulfilling manufacturing and aftermarket requirements
• Interact with personnel throughout the site with frequent outside contacts to discuss and negotiate difficult technical problems
• Keep managers informed of their progress, information on contract changes, and updates on item shipments. 
• Review requests for goods and be sure suppliers offer appropriate pricing, technical support, and reliability
• Complete purchase requests with domestic and international suppliers by inputting purchase orders, expediting deliveries, and verifying all transactions
• Handle correspondence concerning over-shipments, delivery shortages, changes in quantity, delivery dates, and prices and report such changes to the interested parties in a timely manner as required
• Process non-conforming material requests and RMA requests with supply chain partners
• Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending workshops and reviewing professional publications
• Assist internal and external customers by interpreting laws, policy, codes, and regulations pertaining to purchasing

Job Skills    

• Knowledge of MRP processes
• Ability to review and interpret blueprints (machine parts)
• Strong negotiation skills
• Working knowledge of the legal aspects of procurement and contract law
• Knowledge of import freight movement
• Solid interpersonal skills to interact with other staff and suppliers 
• Courteous and professional demeanor
• Ability to develop and deliver effective presentations
• Ability to maintain positive company image and brand
• Well-developed written and verbal communication, listening and presentation skills
• Specialist on complex technical and business matters 
• Ability to work well under pressure
• Ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines
• Efficient organization and time management skills
• Ability to act independently to determine methods and procedures on new assignments 
• Ability to respond consistently with a high degree of initiative to resolve issues or complex problems that may arise

Experience & Education    

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.  Master’s degree is preferred but not required  
• 7 years of purchasing/supply chain experience
• Contract manufacturing experience beneficial
• Advanced computer skills, proficient with Microsoft Suite and ERP systems 
• Experience in aviation and/or manufacturing environment preferred
• CPSM, CSCP, CPIM Certification Preferred

Working Conditions/ Physical Requirements    

• Clean, safe and casual climate-controlled office environment
• Be able to sit, stand, and lift up to 50 lbs. 
• Occasional exposure to an indoor manufacturing environment that may include small spaces, dust, fumes, odors, hot / cold temperatures, inside / outside noise vibration, standing on concrete for long hours and wet or uneven surfaces.
• Wear and properly utilize Personal Protective Equipment as required.
• limited travel to lead vendor qualification and escape investigation

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, and protected veteran status, or disability status.