Buyer

The Buyer position performs various planning and purchasing assignments to develop sources of supply as necessary, to ensure quality and availability of products at the lowest possible total cost. The position negotiates contracts and works on moderate to complex issues where analysis of situations and data requires an in-depth evaluation of variable factors. The Buyer exercises judgment in selecting methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for ensuring material is available to meet the forecasted demands.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Identify new suppliers and regularly evaluate their performance
• Develop strategies to mitigate supply chain risks; review the strategies with management and implement approved methods.
• Work with the New Product Introduction (NPI) team to collaborate on sourcing material to bring products to market.
• Work with NPI sourcing in researching and implementation activities with contract manufacturers for turnkey projects.
• Negotiate with suppliers on pricing, deliverables and terms of payment.
• Review the Material Resource Planning (MRP), the Kanban, and Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) parts to assist in accurate scheduling, purchasing and replenishing of Kanban / VMI and other types of Lean procurement projects with suppliers.
• Perform the planning, purchasing, and ordering of raw materials, components, machinery, equipment, tools, parts, and outside processing with suppliers and services as required to fulfill operational objectives and the forecasted demands.
• Identify opportunities to improve tactical purchasing activities. Develop proposals, and present justifications and ROI models for implementation of procurement orders and/or contractual activities for key and critical sources.
• Review quotation and bids for material requisition, for completeness and proper signature authority. Validate and/or recommend appropriate supplier selection, contact supplier, negotiate most favorable terms and initiate purchase order.
• Prepare, review, and approve (at authorized levels) purchase orders or change-orders to suppliers and negotiate contracts within budgetary limitations and with management oversight. Schedule and maintain deliveries in accordance with the established ABC value distribution purchasing model.
• Establish Kanban agreements, where appropriate, to minimize inventory levels and purchase order management activities. Manage assigned supplier’s performance for delivery and quality. Coordinate cross functional efforts/initiatives to improve supplier performance against established metrics as well as cost reduction activities.
• Arrange for the disposal of inactive and obsolete part numbers.
• Review and ensure timely fulfillment of Technical and Customer Service MRP requirements.
• Actively participate, as a member of the Material Review Board (MRB), to work cross functionally in assessing “Defective Material.” Ensure proper and timely processing of supplier returns/repairs/scrap.
• Work cross-functionally with Quality, Manufacturing Engineering, and Research & Design to establish quality-oriented supplier relationships, developing measurable performance standards for which supplier(s) will be evaluated.
• Monitor capability of suppliers to satisfy expectations of on-time delivery, quality, sales percentage, service, and price commitments, included but not limited to the understanding of impact to total cost.
• Engineering Change Notice (ECN) planning, including the coordination and implementation by establishing, “Effectivity dates.” Activities also include: Cost analysis, risk analysis, product structuring, and inventory management.
• Establish and provide timely analysis of reports and product management tools such as Purchase Price Variances, (PPV) and rework order variances associated to inventory exposures.
• Verify and approve invoices for payment as empowered.
• Responsible for cleanliness, organization, and overall Purchasing department appearance.

21.Become an independent employee able to analyze problems and formulate plans to overcome challenges and to get work done quickly with a high degree of quality. To make sound and logical decisions and to choose the appropriate courses of action based on the parameters of the situation at hand and to use continual improvement problem solving skills.

22.Help create an ongoing effort to improve the Company and the Purchasing Department through personal action and by contributing ideas to support both the Department and Company’s ongoing improvement efforts.

23.To understand Mizuho OSI’s business objectives and the relationship between the Department and those objectives; to support and follow the Corporate Vision, Mission & Values Statements, to maintain the services and quality levels set by Mizuho OSI, and to continually enable Mizuho OSI to be a great place to work.

24.To Understand, follow and support Mizuho OSI’s internal Quality System policies, procedures and work instructions including but not limited to applicable external regulations (21 Code of Federal Regulations Part 820 Quality System Regulations and applicable International Standards).

Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - Unless noted, the qualifications below are the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to do this job. Reasonable accomodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position is a hybrid work position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to achieve supplier management requirements in price, delivery, and quality of materials
• Commodity background in foam, paper products, sheet metal, machining, injection molding, casting, or electronics
• Able to research and develop new vendor relationships
• Demonstrated successful background in high volume and low margin manufacturing
• Demonstrated successful background in Demand-Pull Kanban cart manufacturing is preferred
• Strong work experience using the SAP MRP systems for procurement and logistics
• Demonstrated knowledge of Tier 1 MRP functions and applications, ABC modeling techniques, and inventory control systems
• Must have manufacturing operational knowledge and proven ability to use the professional concepts and apply company policies and procedures to resolve purchasing challenges.
• Ability to works in conjunction with cross-functional and or project teams on process improvements.
• Ability to provide commercial analysis, trends, and data collection associated to liabilities with suppliers.
• Read blueprints and technical drawings.
• Willing to train and instruct other members of the department and the company, by passing along knowledge, skills, and information to assist in development and advancement of others either with one-on-one or with platform training skills.

13.Neat and professional appearance and outgoing people oriented personality which conveys pride in working for Mizuho OSI and which is demonstrated with a ready smile and a willingness to assist others.

14.Solid computer skills including operating Windows based personal computers, various office equipment and machines, and telephone system. Ability to efficiently and effectively use Microsoft products such as Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

15.Represent and train the team on work flow and business processes as part of the usage of the ERP system, identifies and assists in the creation of reports, to include validation that complies to the Quality systems.

16.Able to express oneself verbally and in writing by use of the English language. Must be able to effectively use good grammar, vocabulary, eye contact, friendly voice inflection, as well as proper use of punctuation, vocabulary, and correct spelling.

17.Able to prepare business letters, memorandums, presentations, and project reports.

Ability to communicate effectively with employees and other business contacts in a courteous and professional manner. (Additional languages are preferred)

18.Strong customer focus with a high sense of urgency. Ability to provide excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

19.Ability to function professionally and calmly in a fast paced environment managing multiple priorities simultaneously. To be able to positively manage situations of a dynamic nature; to be able to modify plans, actions, and decisions in light of changing situations and circumstances while still meeting, or proposing modified, deadlines.

20.Ability to perform basic arithmetic functions, create and reconcile reports, demonstrate strong analytical skills, and attention to detail.

21.To respond sensitively to the needs and feelings of others regardless of position; to accept interpersonal differences, to maintain rapport, and to interact effectively with all levels of employees within the organization.

22.Ability to demonstrate the use of a time management process, which systematically structure’s one’s own work to provide for effective task performance and to plan and prioritize items to meet deadlines.

23.Ability to establish and accomplish goals independently and to function as a positive and productive team member.

24.Potential travel 5% to 10% both domestic and international as required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Duties are performed while sitting at a desk for long periods of time. Required duties include operating a computer, reading, writing and using a telephone. Walking or standing within the office area and production area is required for the operation of office equipment and for attending meetings. Bending, stooping and kneeling occasionally may be required. The employee may be required to lift 25 pounds.