Buyer

Position Summary: The Buyer II provides and supports critical functions including purchasing and inventory control. The Buyer II works daily with supply chain and manufacturing to support lean inventory and procurement strategies for purchased material. The Buyer II’s main responsibility is ensuring all purchased materials, goods and services in support of the planned business needs and master production schedule. The Buyer II reports directly to the Materials Manager. Essential Responsibilities: Responsible for purchasing and negotiating materials, equipment, and supplies from suppliers. Evaluates supplier quotes and services to determine the most desirable suppliers. Maintain day-to-day communication with suppliers to ensure on-time delivery, system data integrity, and ordering parameters for individual materials. Maintains ideal inventory levels to ensure on-time deliveries, while maximizing turns, and minimizing carrying costs. Relies on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Performs a variety of complicated tasks. A wide degree of creativity and latitude is expected. Understand the dynamics of effective teamwork in order to attain higher levels of performance. Demonstrate a commitment to engage teams in other departments or divisions of the organization. Understands and clearly demonstrates fluency in commercial components of supplier agreements. PFEP: Making materials flow fluency, value added/cost of ownership reductions, and landed cost. Skilled in Make vs. Buy analysis. Ability to create and follow Standard Work processes on a daily basis. Adapt to system/technology changes as well as use of current systems. Financial acumen (i.e., understanding lot size, inventory vs. set-up costs) Operate with a sense of urgency, and distribute time-sensitive and accurate data. Strong time management and organizing skills. Identify roadblocks in material/information flow; ability to manage exceptions. Required Skills: Bachelor’s degree in business or supply chain, or equivalent job experience. Minimum of 8 years professional supply chain experience. Supervisory experience a plus. Experience with global suppliers. Exposure to LEAN methodology and LEAN manufacturing environment. Experience with contract reviews and negotiations. Enterprise-sourcing purchasing systems (ERP) – JDE E1 a plus. Exposure to logistics, warehousing systems. Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and specifications. Advanced computer skills and proficiency with Excel, Access, and ERP systems. Travel Responsibilities: Less than 5% travel (primarily domestic, some international as required). Other Compensation & Benefits: Mueller offers an excellent salary and benefits package. Current benefit offerings include medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) plan with 5% Company match, Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), short-term and long-term disability benefits, vacation, 100% paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement program, student debt retirement matching, well-being program, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), company‑provided life insurance, supplemental insurance at group rates, and more. Equal Employment Opportunity: Mueller Water Products, Inc., as well as its subsidiaries, are equal employment employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or expression), age, national origin, disability, citizenship status (except as authorized by law), protected veteran status, genetic information, and any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In keeping with its obligations under applicable federal, state, and local law, Mueller will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation at any time during the application or interview process, please contact a member of the Human Resources Department. Notice of E-Verify Participation: This employer participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is a web-based system that allows employers to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States. The system compares information from an employee’s Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records. This notice applies to all applicants and employees, including those hired to work remotely. Accommodation: If you require accommodations during any stage of the application or interview process, please let us know. We are happy to work with you to meet your needs. #J-18808-Ljbffr