Buyer

Key Activities/Responsibilities

• Develop specific purchased product objectives with an emphasis on cost reduction, quality improvement, technology development, on time delivery, inventory reduction, lead-time reduction, and customer focus;
• Secure materials, equipment, services and supplies in accordance with the quality, quantity and delivery requirements of the requisitioning departments and company objectives. Buy wisely, which will involve a continual search for better values that yield the best combination of price, quality, and service;
• Develop the most suitable procurement and replenishment arrangements for commodities, including, blanket orders, spot purchase orders, supplier stocking arrangements, P-Card utilization, and pull system implementations;
• Initiate and analyze Request for Quotations. Verify material requisitions for accuracy in specifications, order quantities, etc.  Recommend standardization or substitution of materials, equipment, or supplies whenever practical and in the best interest of the Company;
• Determine the best source of supply by evaluating all pertinent information, including but not limited to, price, quality, manufacturing capabilities, leadtime, service support, and financial stability. Prepare information required to process a purchase order;
• Actively participate in Lean Enterprise and Lean Supply Chain initiatives, Strategic Supplier Alliances, and Pull System Projects;
• Keep inventory investment and inventory losses at a practical minimum. Achieve a reasonable balance between the level of inventory required to support operations and the cost of carrying inventory;
• Evaluate Supplier Performance based on the total cost of ownership via the Supplier Performance Evaluation Report;
• Confirm suppliers are meeting the delivery, quality, and service requirements that are needed in order to remain a preferred supplier for the Company. When these requirements are not met, it is the responsibility of the Buyer to put forth a plan to rectify the situation;
• Achieve maximum integration with the other departments of the Company. Understand the major needs of the using departments so that these needs can be translated into material support actions.  Support actions to include forecasting future prices and general business conditions, performing make vs. buy analysis, and serving as a depository of information and data from suppliers regarding new materials, processes, pricing, and material availability;
• Manage planning factors for MRP in order to generate accurate purchasing action messages. Lead time, safety stock, minimum purchase quantities and delivery predictability need to be incorporated into determining accurate, representative planning factors.  Periodically review elements that contribute to the development of planning factor and make adjustments as needed to continually improve action message accuracy.
• Resolve purchase order acknowledgements with suppliers involving delivery and or pricing discrepancies;
• Resolve supplier delivery problems contributing to production line shortages. Be proactive as opposed to reactive in preventing shortages;
• Visit supplier facilities to determine ability to provide qualified materials and services;
• Perform other duties, assignments and special projects as required.

Requirements 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration or Supply Chain, or a combination of formal education and business operations experience;
• 1-4 years experience in a manufacturing environment;
• Thorough knowledge of purchasing procedures and internal controls;
• Ability to represent the Company effectively and professionally in dealings with suppliers is essential;
• Proficient with MSWord, Excel, Outlook, JD Edwards;
• Possess the ability to work productively, efficiently and effectively with initiative and drive under tight timescales and pressure while maintaining attention to detail and quality;
• Strong analytical, communication (both verbal and written), negotiating, follow-through, and accuracy skills are required.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.