Purchasing Specialist

Company Information:

Toyota-Denso Automotive Compressor Georgia, Inc. (TACG), established in 2004, is a subsidiary of Toyota Industries Corporation (TICO). TICO is a leading global manufacturer of automobile parts and assemblies, material handling equipment, and provider of logistics solutions. TACG specializes in the manufacturing of automobile air conditioning compressors.

TACG is based in Pendergrass, Georgia. This position is on-site at 1000 Valentine industrial Parkway, Pendergrass GA 30657.

Department Purpose:

The main goal of Purchasing Department is to ensure that Purchase Orders are created and approved, goods and services are received and orders are completed in an accurate and timely manner. In order to support this goal, the Purchasing Department is responsible for requisition review, competitive quotation as appropriate, supplier evaluation, contract review coordination with management and suppliers, daily order management, invoice approvals and record keeping. To bolster this process, purchasing identifies suppliers that can act as long-term partners and works with them to achieve cost and quality improvements. In order to measure the performance and effectiveness of suppliers, Purchasing tracks key performance indicators (KPIs) as well as other relevant aspects of acquiring goods and services.

Position Purpose:

Serves as the Purchasing Department specialist with regard to the procurement of direct and in-direct goods and services for the company.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement various purchasing instructions, policies, and procedures.
• Establish relationships with suppliers to monitor and negotiate pricing for goods and services, communicate product quality expectations and on-time delivery goals.
• Review, approve, and generate purchase orders for materials, services and supplies.
• Review purchase order claims and contracts for conformance to company policy.
• Confirm delivery of materials from domestic and international suppliers.
• Develop mid and long-term purchasing strategies for supplies and materials based on forecasted production requirements.
• Generate continuous improvement activities to reduce costs and improve company efficiencies.
• Generate cost analysis and other monitoring reports for management review.
• Perform job duties in accordance with all state and federal regulations and guidelines including OSHA and EPA and complies with all company policies and procedures.
• Follow all aspects of the site Environmental Policy as it pertains to normal job duties.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications, Education, Experience, & Abilities:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, and/or three to five years related working experience in the purchasing or materials management function within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience managing and negotiating with suppliers is preferred.
• Must be fluent in written and spoken English. Bilingual in Japanese is a plus.
• Proficient in Office applications including Excel, Word & PowerPoint.
• Experience with MAPICS/INFOR a plus.
• Ability to assimilate and analyze data to present to management a complete framework for decision-making.
• Ability to work in a fast paced, multi-cultural, team oriented environment.

Levels I – II

• Although works under direct supervision with frequent review of work, after initial job training must be able to work independently on basic job tasks as assigned.
• Completes parts of projects or plans including ability to quote and research alternate suppliers for good and services within approved supplier list for best pricing.
• Assists in resolving simple concerns/inquiries including invoice review and reconciliation of invoice errors to order confirmations for accuracy.
• Communicate internally with associates and department management to resolve order issues.
• Communicate externally with suppliers to resolve order/invoice issues.
• Monitor and complete monthly, personal and department goals and objectives as assigned.
• Gather, create and post information for month end responsibilities for management reporting.
• Understand one or two areas of specialization with relevant working knowledge of those areas including cross training for similar areas of purchasing responsibilities.
• Ability to combine, monitor and complete in a timely manner job tasks of other associates of similar areas during absences.
• Support management as required receiving guidance on all aspects outside of primary area.
• Bachelor Degree or Equivalent Experience preferred.
• Level I: 1 Years of Related Outside Experience preferred.
• Level II: 3 Years of Related Outside Experience preferred.
• Requires some level of supervision and most work is subject to review.
• Successfully addresses and completes pieces/aspects of a project or plan.
• Assists in resolving simple concerns/inquires.
• Assists by applying concepts from the area of specialization to accomplish daily assigned tasks.
• Demonstrates basic understanding of relevant professional knowledge.
• G&Os will be focused on training for year 1 and then focused on department G&O items.
• Applies the PDCA Cycle to daily work processes.
• Is involved in department schedules and budget completion.
• Is familiar with and applies continuous improvement, kaizen, and standardization practices.
• Promote and foster activities and communication to create and maintain good associate morale.
• Set example and confirm associates adhere to safety rules, regulations and procedures.
• Promote Kaizen activities, SEQDCM, lead team members on department G&O’s.

Levels III-IV

• Works with less supervision and need for review of work.
• Cross functional understanding of purchasing department including cross training to support all areas of purchasing responsibilities.
• Ability to combine, monitor and complete in a timely manner job tasks of other associates of all areas of responsibilities during absences.
• Ability to quote and research alternate suppliers for current goods and services suggesting new suppliers for best pricing.
• Completes complex or larger phase department projects including supporting management with other project research and development while working independently and proactively taking on individual assignments and special projects that require investigation and research.
• Review and offer suggestions to update current work instructions and department policy and procedures.
• Find areas of improvement and offer suggestions to create new work instructions and department policy and procedures.
• Provides support and direction to departments outside of Purchasing.
• Bachelor Degree or equivalent experience preferred.
• Expressed knowledge, skill, and abilities for independent contribution and project management
• Level III: 5 years of internal/external job specific experience preferred.
• Level IV: The above 5 years or more demonstrated experience in related field and role for successful independent contribution and full cycle project management.
• Performs work that is varied and more difficult in partnership with department leadership and external customers.
• Demonstrates strong awareness of important elements of other departments.
• Accomplishes complex projects and larger projects.
• Receives minimal guidance on aspects or areas outside primary discipline.
• Participate and/or lead in cross-functional teams; actively communicates with key stakeholders.
• Works on G&Os as they relate to department G&Os and cover area where experience is more prevalent.
• Applies the PDCA cycle to daily work processes & aspects of TICO Drive & Dedication.
• Is involved in department schedules and budget completion.
• Independently applies continuous improvement, kaizen and standardization practices.
• Promote and foster activities and communication to create and maintain good associate morale.
• Set example and confirm associates adhere to safety rules, regulations and procedures.
• Promote kaizen activities, SEQDCM, lead team members on department G&O’s.

Physical Requirements:

• The associate frequently is required to stand, walk and/or sit for extended periods. Also, use hands to pinch/grip, grab, handle or feel.
• The associate is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• The associate must occasionally lift and/or move at least 10 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.
• The associate will need to be able to adjust and maintain focus on tasks in a busy open environment.
• Ability to work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner.

The job 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 the essential functions. This job description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job.

It is intended to be a reflection of those principal job elements essential for recruitment and selection, for making fair job evaluations and for establishing performance standards. The percentage of time spent performing the various job duties are not absolute. The incumbent shall perform all other functions and/or be cross trained as determined the sole discretion of management, who has the right to amend, modify, or terminate this job in part or in whole. This document is not a contract for employment.

Toyota-Denso Automotive Compressor Georgia is an Equal Opportunity Employer