Buyer/Planner

Our client is a global leader in developing software-driven technology and printing solutions for high-growth markets including food service, casino and gaming, and POS automation. The Company's solutions are designed from the ground up based on customer requirements.

Basic Function

This position is accountable for guiding and managing commodity supply chains to achieve product cost targets, continuity of supply, capacity flexibility, and delivery performance to support manufacturing and customer requirements, along with mentoring and assisting other team members. The primary role is to manage and provide direction for our electronics supply chain as well as consumables and direct thermal paper products.

Qualifications :

This individual should possess a bachelor's degree and have a minimum of eight years related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. The Commodity Manager must possess expertise in the areas of tactical procurement which includes supplier negotiation, supplier evaluation and selection, materials planning, and have strong experience within procurement with a variety of commodities. This individual should have a strong knowledge of manufacturing processes as well as an understanding of design and quality requirements as they relate to various components and assemblies. This individual must have demonstrated success in a LEAN manufacturing environment driving initiatives, which include VMI. The Commodity Manager must be computer literate and be proficient with word processing software, spreadsheet software, and MRP / ERP software (NetSuite preferred.) This individual must have excellent communication skills, oral and written, and solid organizational, and planning skills. APICS and / or C.P.M. certifications desired. The position requires experience in managing overseas contract electronics manufacturing operations. The ability to work in international business environments (especially with Asian suppliers) is a must.

Nature and Scope

The Commodity Manager reports to the VP, Global Supply Chain.

The Commodity Manager is responsible for procuring supplies, services, materials and equipment necessary for the effective operation of the organization. In this regard, this individual interfaces regularly with contacts internal and external to the organization. Internally, this individual interfaces with personnel from the following departments : engineering, quality control, production planning and control, sales and marketing, accounting, and shipping and receiving. External to the organization, the incumbent regularly communicates with suppliers, leads supplier workshops and development activities, and would have the option to travel to develop suppliers.

The Commodity Manager is accountable for recommending and maintaining long term supplier relationships that provide competitive advantages such as lowest total costs, highest quality and superior customer service. As such, the incumbent develops and negotiates supplier agreements / contracts, studies market trends, internal forecasts, interviews suppliers and recommends sources of supply. This individual will present data and recommend solutions to prevent adverse capacity constraints, material price increases and long term supplier solutions.

The Commodity Manager finds sources, procures and expedites, as necessary, material delivery to meet customer and production demands. This will include reviewing supplier shortage reports, sales forecasts, ship history, component lead times and other data in support placing orders to maintain appropriate availability of products. The Commodity Manager will recommend safety stock levels for achieving required service levels. This individual will process change orders, notify suppliers of material and quantity requirement revisions and contact suppliers on discrepancies and incorrect materials in conjunction with the quality organization. He / She will manage delivery expectations with the team internally and ensure that accurate dates are reflected in the system to guide the revenue and inventory decisions. Also, this individual will write and process requisitions for capital equipment, prototype and engineering materials, and other goods and services required by the business.

The Commodity Manager will participate as an active member of the product design team to maintain early supplier involvement, participate in design specifications, and develop and select suppliers to meet new product program requirements.

The Commodity Manager will execute business goals of the organization including inventory reduction, improved level of service and material cost reductions.

This individual will evaluate supplier performance using scorecards and make recommendations for corrective actions and continuous improvements. The Commodity Manager will survey and co-certify supplier manufacturing facilities with quality and design engineering. This individual will monitor supplier conformance to quality, capacity and cost commitments.

Essential Functions

1. Obtain materials, supplies, services, and equipment from suppliers at the lowest cost consistent with considerations of quality, engineering specifications, reliability of sources and urgency of need.

2. Ensure that purchase orders are placed and updated / modified / cancelled as required in a timely manner. This includes keeping internal systems current with latest information related to product availability.

3. Effectively and independently manage global contract manufacturing business relationships (commercial and technical proficiency in electronics manufacturing preferred.)

4. Ability to meet business goals through effectively negotiating with both international and domestic suppliers, reduce cost, reduce inventory, and improve level of service.

5. Develop and negotiate supplier agreements / contracts that provide competitive advantages such as lowest totals costs and high quality.

6. Recommend sources of technologies needed to develop new products using cost reductions where feasible.

7. Evaluate industry supply trends. Analyze trend data of raw material supply and pricing as well as competitive supplier relationships.

8. Recommend tooling methodologies needed to develop new products.

9. Survey and co-certify supplier manufacturing facilities with Quality Engineering.

10. Participate as an active member of the product design team to maintain supplier strategy.

11. Regular attendance at work.

Job Requirements