Commodity Buyer - Elkhart, IN

Overall Responsibilities:

Exercising independent discretion and judgment the role of the Buyer is responsible for interpreting, analyzing material requirements, planning, and procuring Commodities, Raw Materials, Components, Operating Supplies, Equipment, Maintenance Supplies, etc., at the appropriate levels, on-time, and within cost to support the Leer facilities. This person must be a self-starter with a hands-on approach and the ability to work unaided.

Responsibilities:

• Establishes strategies to improve supply chain ordering, solve shortage issues, and strengthen supplier relationships in concert with direction set by the Purchasing Manager.


• Tracks assigned commodities and implements strategies to lower overall procurement cost.


• Coordinate with JBPCO commodity managers to resolve Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost issues.


• Mentors non supply chain team members validating that processes and procedures are clearly understood.


• Drive and track improvements to “inventory turns”.


• Responsible for implementation of change notices to avoid unnecessary rework, scrap, obsolescence, cancellation charge, or production delays and assure that the correct revision levels are maintained in inventory.


• Proactively keep suppliers notified of any changes. Expedites/defers/cancellations.


• Accountable for the purchase of items at the most favorable price consistent with quality, quantity, specification requirements and other factors, and the timely delivery of them.


• Complete special assignments for the Supply Chain department as directed by the Purchasing Manager.


• Ensure data accuracy (parts, numbers, cost, etc.) report problems and take appropriate action.


• Plan, schedule, and monitor the movement of materials through the production cycle.


• Provides technical leadership, training, and support to manufacturing teams as well as peers.


• Reviews requirements and available reports to determine material needs and takes appropriate actions to meet those needs (placing orders, scheduling delivery dates, creating and releasing orders, etc.).


• Executes investigation and root cause analysis on any supply disruptions or material quality issues and implements corrective action.


• Identifies, escalates, and resolves material shortages before they affect production.


• Manage supplier audits and vendor review process to communicate business results and vendor performance / rating.


• Manages return of merchandise to supplier due to quality issues, delivery terms, etc.


• Leads and participates in cross-functional teams/activities to improve systems or performances (e.g., cycle counts, training, manual inventory, etc.).


• Other duties as assigned or needed.

Characteristics and skills:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.


• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.


• Thorough understanding of the business and supply chain.


• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.


• Extremely proficient with production planning systems, such as MRP II.


• Boots on the ground (very hands-on) accustomed to wearing many hats in an entrepreneurial “fast-paced” environment.


• Dynamic, polished, high energy, focused, and driven. Very sharp, innovative, and accustomed to “figuring it out”.


• Ability to motivate teams to produce in tight timeframes while managing several projects simultaneously.


• Ability to effectively communicate and facilitate through encouragement, motivation, and inspiration at all levels of the organization.

Educational and other requirements:

• BA in business or closely related degree is preferred or equivalent experience.


• 5 years or more year experience in a buyer / planner purchasing role.


• Understanding of Capacity Planning and MRP.


• In depth utilization and experience with JDE E1 is preferred.


• Excellent skills conducting product and supplier research.


• Strong attention to detail.


• Excellent problem-solving and organizational skills.


• Ability to interact productively with all levels of company management and all product lines.


• Ability to prioritize and multi-task.


• Strong decision maker.


• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and tact.


• Flexibility and adaptability to accommodate new tasks and processes.


• Capable of working independently and/or part of a group, as required.


• Excellent oral and written communication skills.


• Must be able to function in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment.


• Ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. Must have the ability to combine pieces of information to form general conclusions (i.e., finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).


• Must be able to guide, lead, and provide direction: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.


• Must have fluent computer skills in Microsoft Office and related software packages.


• Savvy understanding of Excel and utilization


• Solution oriented self-starter with a hands-on approach and the ability to work unaided.


• Valid driver’s license.


• Ability or possession of Passport


• Excellent negotiation skills in challenging situations, both internally and externally.