Purchasing Manager

POSITION: Purchasing Manager

LOCATION: Houghton, Michigan

CLASSIFICATION: Exempt

REPORTS TO: Operations Manager

Position Description

The Purchasing Manager is responsible for leading and managing the Purchasing Department at Somero. The position

will drive the organization in the areas of planning, forecasting and purchasing, while assisting the Company’s efforts at

cost reduction. The Purchasing Manager will be accountable to manage production inventory levels and remain within

budgetary limits. The position will analyze and implement improvements within the materials flow process from the

beginning stages of new product development through the final assembly and shipping of new and refurbished

equipment. The Purchasing Manager will maintain a personnel structure and staffing level to accomplish these tasks.

Principal Accountabilities

• Hold suppliers accountable for delivering product on time

• Manage, maintain and improve relationships with our key suppliers through supplier measurements,

partnerships and supplier development programs to ensure quality and worldwide service for our customers

• Optimize global supplier network to ensure most cost-effective components are available to support production

• Negotiate purchase agreements and payment terms with prospective suppliers/pursue cost savings and track

progress relating to machine cost

• Verify suppliers with competitive quotes and monitor surcharges and material prices

• Utilize Material Requirements Planning (MRP) to manage global supply chain to ensure components are

available for production and service requirements.

• Develop short and long-term planning and vision for the Purchasing department

• Coordinate with production and sales department to establish inventory forecasts for financial planning.

• Plan and manage engineering changes and coordinates procurement of materials affected for proper rotation

of inventory to minimize scrap/reworked parts at incorporation time

• Performs reviews and disciplinary measures as needed on all employees within the department

• Understand manufacturing engineering processes and to read and interpret blueprints

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and

procedure manuals

• Excellent computer and software skills

• Write routine and complex reports analyzing and complementing the companies’ material and purchasing

needs

• Have the ability to identify and resolve problems while handling multiple assignments.

• Ability to work safely in a manufacturing environment and follow all company safety policies/procedures
  

Attributes

• Excellent proactive honest communication skills – verbal and written

• Ability to solve problems using existing systems and processes with effective analytical skills and sense of

urgency

• Professional with ability to be a strong leader

• Capable of identifying and developing processes and process improvements

• Maintain a positive attitude in high-pressure situations

• Data analysis and data management

• Ability to effectively deal with people at different organizational levels both inside and outside the company

• Able to facilitate creative problem-solving activities
  

Education/Experience

• Bachelors degree in Industrial Management, Materials Management, Business Administration or equivalent

working experience Preferred

• 3 – 5 years’ Purchasing and/or material planning field experience in a manufacturing environment preferred

• Desired experience/knowledge with Materials Purchasing and Logistics and Enterprise Resource Planning

(ERP) systems

• Previous supervisory experience strongly preferred
  

Working Conditions

• Periodic overnight travel required

• Ability to work extended hours as business needs dictate

• Office, shop floor, prototype build area and customer job sites