Senior Purchasing Agent

Description

BASIC FUNCTION:

Manage multiple projects and priorities to achieve strategic improvement goals and cost improvements year over year in each facet of Supply Chain: Replenishment, Sourcing/Cost Reduction, NPD/ECN

Will be responsible for the timely execution of developing, implementing, and executing procurement strategies for new product and sustaining production in an efficient, cost-effective manner while maintaining quality standards.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Negotiate price, terms, quantities, and deliveries for contractual agreements between Taylor and
• Suppliers.

• Executing strategies to deliver material productivity commitments including pricing, long term agreements and engineering driven cost reductions.

• Utilize best practices and company standard work to manage and execute supplier work transition from NPD to production launch on a standalone basis or as part of a larger program team.

• Work with Director Procurement to improve techniques, methods, standards and procedures used for supplier evaluations and selection.

• Researches, identifies, and establishes sources for the procurement of direct material.
• Prepare requests for quotations (RFQs/RFPs), analyze supplier responses, and confirm purchase orders within budgetary limitations and scope of authority.
• Establishes and maintains strategic partnerships with suppliers.
• Identifies and qualifies new suppliers as needed with Quality and Engineering.
• Performs site audits of potential as well as current suppliers.
• Negotiates pricing, delivery, payment terms and other conditions with current and prospective suppliers.
• Assists other buyers in addressing emergent supplier issues relating to quality, delivery, or other concerns.
• Issues purchase orders as needed to procure NPD or production related material.

• Facilitates Supplier communication.
• Leads conferences between suppliers and Taylor personnel such as Engineering, Buyers, and Quality.
• Reviews supplier performance feedback using formal and informal communication tools with respect to quality and delivery.
• Works with quality addressing supplier quality and delivery issues associated with purchased components by collaborating with the supplier, Buyers, and Engineering.

• Facilitates product changes by:
• Participating on new product development teams to ensure that deliverables as defined are successfully implemented for buying and production planning related deliverables.
• Implement contingency plans with Purchasing, Production Planning and Manufacturing when inventory availability commitments are at risk and initiate work-around.
• Participate on engineering change orders (ECO) and corrective action requests (CAR).
• Planning and executing the smooth and economic transition of purchased components affected by a change in either engineering specifications or suppliers.

• Applies and expands the use of lean supply philosophies to the supply chain by implementing replenishment supply systems in place of traditional systems where applicable.

• Maintains company databases and systems in accordance with company policies.
• Maintains cost data in the company ERP system.
• Assists in maintaining accurate inventory in Taylor’s ERP system.
• Maintains accurate Item Master data.

• Plans for the appropriate re-supply of material based on the Master Assembly Schedule using MRP, ROP, and Supplier Schedules.

• Participates as a department representative on assigned product development teams, process development teams and other teams and initiatives.

• Resolves cost issues with suppliers and the accounting group.

• Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.

Requirements

Desired Capabilities:

• Candidate should be grounded in a fundamental understating of the supply chain, including
• manufacturing capacity planning, execution, and logistics.

• Understanding and experience in lean concepts such as 5S, Kanban, Value-Streams and One-
• Piece Flow is a plus.

• Self-directed, detail-oriented individual with a strong sense of ownership and accountability
• capable of managing multiple-tasks to completion in a fast-paced environment.

• Excellent communication skills

• Ability to work effectively and influence others in a diverse and dynamic work
• environment.

• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills

• Advanced level skills with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word & PowerPoint)

Education:

Degree requirements: 4-year degree in a business-related field. Supply chain focus a plus.

Professional Certifications: APP or CMP and/or APICS, CPIM preferred.

Experience:

• 5 years’ experience in strategic sourcing, project management, or new product development sourcing role
• Experience functioning in a lean environment with skills for implementing and sustaining pull systems, JIT, and other lean initiatives.
• Experience using MRP planning systems.
• Able to work closely with others in an initiative-taking fast paced team environment.
• Excellent oral and written communication skill. Demonstrated leader and negotiator that generates results.
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office Professional Products. Exposure to AS400, INFOR, CSI/Syteline ERP system preferred.
• Experience in global sourcing and logistics.

Other:

• Physical Requirements: Occasional lifting of no more than 25 pounds.

• Travel Requirements: Domestic and International travel as needed.