Buyer

Career Area: Manufacturing & Supply Chain Job Description: Position Description: • Leads the commercial agreement process with the supplier from purchase orders to long-term agreements. Responsible for soundness of business proposals and risk assessment. A. Responsible for managing policies, agreements, and special purchasing programs. B. Establishes, maintains, and manages revisions to the long-term commercial contract agreement (and any variations in the agreement). C. Ensures supplier has the most current documentation for producing the part D. Issues Purchase Order for PPAP process. E. Handles orders from suppliers not on contract. F. Ensure suppliers are paid within terms. G. Monitor price, cost Intellectual Property and conformance to legal agreements. • Gatekeeper to the supplier; monitors and prioritizes multiple Solar demand streams into the supplier. • Leads the communication on ordering policies with suppliers • Provide leadership for sourcing, logistics and resource management decisions in conjunction with Sourcing Specialist. A. Identifies and communicates supplier capacity constraints to Sourcing Specialist for assigned suppliers. B. Demonstrates leadership in recognizing the potential for cost and inventory reductions, and quality improvement. C. Supports the purchasing activities required for NPI activities. • Leads supplier selection process from the pre-qualified supplier base identified by the Sourcing Specialist in response to “buy” decision from NPI Team or Mfg decision to outsource a part; makes final decision on choice of supplier with input from stakeholders and then supports the STE during the PPAP process on the commercial terms and purchase orders. • Responsible for processing purchase orders, resolving grief, supporting Supply Chain Coordinator to resolve chronic delivery issues, and supporting Supplier Development Engineers to resolve discrepant material issues. A. Maintain system data. B. Maintain documentation that supports purchasing processes, SOX, and ISO. C. Monitor Intellectual Property compliance. • Reviews and reports supplier delivery performance. A. Obtains input from Supply Chain Coordinator. B. Initiates action (with support from Sourcing Specialist and/or Supplier Development Engineer) to identify and address root cause of poor delivery performance .• Participates in supplier improvement projects. • Responsible for contracting with OV suppliers • Responsible for lead time reduction • Responsible for annual re-cost process • Maintain data accuracy in the BAAN system (e.g., ensure cost information accuracy, part set-up, lot sizes, etc). • Maintain supplier WEB site access Participates in Six Sigma teams Position Qualifications: • Well-developed negotiation skills • Ability to interpret, analyze and negotiate contractual cost elements. • (T) Understanding of applicable business & contractual laws. • Analytical, problem solving and decision - making skills. • Project management/leadership skills. • Effective written and oral communication skills. • Ability to multi-task. • Customer focus, both internal and external. • Ability to work across business units (cross-functionally) and at multiple organizational levels. • Organizational & administrative skills. • Business acumen, professionalism . • Willingness & ability to train and mentor others (for senior level buyers) Interpersonal, collaboration and team skills. • Self-directed as appropriate. • (T) Understanding of Lean Manufacturing principles as applied by Solar and our suppliers • (T) Understanding of ethical business practices/CAT code of conduct • (T) 6 Sigma Green Belt • (T) Critical/strategic thinking skills • (T) Basic blueprint reading skills • (T) Knowledge of products & commodities (more senior level buyers) • (T) Knowledge of the industry and markets (more senior level buyers) • (T) Influencing skills (ex: Ability to build consensus and maintain diplomacy in high pressure situations) • (T) Knowledge of Solar enterprise • (T) Ability to speak multiple languages and cultural knowledge (to enhance communication with suppliers and within Solar). • (T) Basic understanding of Demand Management • (T) Computer literacy: MS Office (especially Excel), Visio, MS Project, and BAAN (T) Training can help to attain these skill sets EEO/AA Employer. All qualified individuals - Including minorities, females, veterans and individuals with disabilities - are encouraged to apply. Not ready to apply? Submit your information to our Talent Network here.