Purchasing Supervisor

Job Overview:

This position assists or leads purchases of assigned material items and/or services for the organization. Responsible to manage both short term and tactical requirements as well as arrange long term supply agreements at the lowest overall total cost of ownership consistent with quality, delivery and service requirements. Also plays a critical role in sustaining a long-term, productive supply-chain strategy that is well aligned with internal customer department(s) to ensure our client remains operationally competitive and delivers significant value to its shareholders. Areas of responsibility vary according to assignment, including rolling stock (locomotive and freight car parts); wayside and locomotive communications and signal (C&S) systems and components, including Positive Train Control (PTC); shop and track equipment and tools; technology services and components; locomotive fuel services; a wide variety of track, train operations, marketing facility and G&A services. Other positions oversee system-wide disposition of unneeded assets, including rolling stock, track materials, and all other assets excluding real estate. Our clients sourcing department falls within the Finance Division.

Total Annual Purchases (avg.) $55 Million

Purchase Order Approval Limit $0.1 Million

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Key Responsibilities:

• Mitigate supply risk, ensure timely delivery of materials and services while continuously focusing on reducing TCO and maintaining product / service quality and specifications required by using groups. Certain core activities:
• Places orders for assigned items using current price records, purchase agreements and by means of inquiry and/or price and T&C negotiations with the most favorable suppliers
• Negotiates materials or services in excess of approval limits established by management and sends to Manager for approval
• Manage supply contracts
• Execute procurement functions consistent with established internal corporate policies and procedures and are in compliance with established Federal and state laws, including but not limited to the various antitrust statutes and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
• Help minimize corporate investment in inventories to the lowest possible levels while maintaining high levels of service to the user departments.
• Once fully trained, employees are expected to provide sound advice and recommendations to the Manager/Group Manager, and to think independently and creatively
• Possess the necessary judgment and communication skills to work directly with more senior positions within Sourcing as well as with various levels within internal customer groups and suppliers.
• Effectively leverage data when making major or complex purchasing decisions; respects accuracy and is good with details and has solid analytical capabilities.
• Maintain highly engaged working relationship with the assigned customer department(s) to ensure Sourcing provides continuous improvement in material procurement, cost control and reduction, a strong, competitive supply base for key materials and services, including the development of alternate materials and suppliers, total cost analysis of materials.
• Achieve and maintain a high degree of knowledge and familiarity with strategic suppliers and their representatives for assigned materials and/or service areas; maintain comprehensive knowledge of continually changing market conditions and sources of supply, including development and availability of new products, changes in existing products and suppliers, and all other pertinent data necessary to provide assistance and direction in Sourcing decision making; understand major related technological advances and challenges..
• Ensure efficient utilization of SAP procurement platform tools and related (currently SRM and ECC, with planned conversion to ARIBA and S4); continuously identify areas of improvement to reduce administrative burden and increase resources available to control and reduce TCO; maintain 80% or greater standard material catalog item count on long-term supply contracts to minimize buyer RFx queue and invoice OV workload.
• The candidate must maintain high standards of ethical conduct to ensure that all negotiations are performed free of interference, that all bids have received adequate consideration, and that objectivity is maintained.

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Required Qualifications:

• Minimum 3 years’ experience in sourcing, purchasing, or related roles.
• Ability to work independently, manage time effectively, and meet deadlines and convey complex information in an accessible manner.
• Must possess solid analytical and Microsoft Excel spreadsheet skillsets, with an interest in routinely leveraging data, financial and/or TCO elements in evaluation of major or long-term purchasing decisions; experience working on data intensive projects (school or work) a plus
• Solid purchasing and negotiations experience
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; comfortable working in an inclusive and non-hierarchical team atmosphere; shows respect
• Demonstrated leadership traits; maintains composure in tense situations; comfortable taking appropriate risk; candid and forthright and decisive when faced with opportunity or challenge; unafraid to challenge longstanding practices
• Ability to initiate and lead change to drive improvements in areas of responsibility; thought leader open to new ideas and techniques
• Able to function at a high level while under pressure
• Is positive, energetic, forward-looking, and never satisfied with the current state

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Education:

• Bachelor's Degree (BBA, BS)
• Preferred Majors: Business or industrial engineering plus supply chain management coursework from a highly accredited university is strongly preferred
• Master’s degree a plus

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Key Attributes:

• Capable of managing multiple priorities, balancing project deadlines and daily tasks.
• A curious and proactive problem solver with a strong ability to handle ambiguity.
• Exceptional attention to detail with a focus on continuous improvement.
• A proactive communicator who collaborates effectively across teams.

Job Types: Full-time, Contract

Expected hours: No less than 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift

Ability to Commute:

• Atlanta, GA 30308 (Required)