BUYER

Job Description

Job Description

The Buyer is responsible for acquiring materials, supplies, services and placing purchase orders for goods that have standard costs and quoted discounts already in place. Reviews requisitions and proposals from vendors to negotiate contracts. Reviews opportunities for new supply sources and suitability of materials offered. Retains records pertaining to cost, delivery, performance, and inventory levels. The Buyer is a strong team player, results oriented, has a dedication to excellence and a sense of urgency to achieve business objectives. 

Position Responsibilities may include; 

• Tactical Strategic Commodity responsibilities multiple production locations 
• Supplier Development 
• Directing staff in certain purchasing activities 
• Quality initiatives (DPPM, CAN's, SO's, FAI's, Line Rejects) 
• Delivery/Inventory management (SOT, DOT, DOS, Inventory goals, Long lead-time supplier programs, obsolescence). 
• Cost (PO's, AP issues, Supplier reduction, savings initiatives). 
• General supplier maintenance (system and file data accuracy maintained). 
• Engineering/Program changes. 
• Limited Travel, SPI Meetings 
• Use computers to organize and locate inventory, and operate spreadsheet and word processing software. 
• Negotiate prices, discount terms and transportation arrangements for merchandise. 
• Manage the department for which they buy. 
• Confer with sales and purchasing personnel to obtain information about customer needs and preferences. 
• Examine, select, order, and purchase at the most favorable price merchandise consistent with quality, quantity, specification requirements and other factors. 
• Monitor and analyze sales records, trends, or economic conditions to anticipate consumer buying patterns and determine what the company will sell and how much inventory is needed. 
• Set or recommend mark-up rates, mark-down rates, and selling prices for merchandise. 
• Authorize payment of invoices or return of merchandise. 
• Interview and work closely with vendors to obtain and develop desired products. 
• Conduct staff meetings with sales personnel to introduce new merchandise. 
• Recommend and/or support implementation of buying strategies that promote cost effective purchasing decisions, which supports increased speed to market requirements.   
• Exposure to all facets of the purchasing process, commodities materials, components, tooling, and capital equipment used in the manufacturing and assembly of SRG Products.    
• Manage new supplier development to ensure supply base can meet SRG requirements through market and company research.    
• Manage sourcing process including: preparation and issuance of the Request for Quotation, vendor communications and progress tracking throughout duration of the quoting process, negotiation of commercial items and purchasing terms & conditions, and finally preparation of quote summary/evaluation documents.   
• Conduct in-depth supplier pricing analysis to ensure competitive pricing is being achieved sources.   
• Assist in the development and maintenance of purchasing standards and procedures.   
• Manage, and evaluate supplier performance metrics and project timing.   
• Ensure that all purchasing activities are managed within budget, while maintaining the highest level of ethics.  
• Manage commercial correspondence related to suppliers including the issuance of contracts and purchase orders.   
• Identify and develop areas for continuous improvement and negotiate cost reduction agreement.   
• Develop strategic plans and objectives and collaborate with other departments and personnel to maximize program profitability of current and future business. 
• Participate in additional projects/activities as needed. 

Nature & Scope:

• Applies practical knowledge of job area typically obtained through advanced education and work experience
• Encouraged to seek continuous improvements
• Performs a range of mainly straightforward assignments
• Works independently with general supervision
• Problems faced are difficult but not typically complex

Knowledge & Skills:

• Experience in both foreign and domestic sourcing with logical and strong negotiating skills  
• Good working knowledge of MRP 
• Vendor partnering, including supplier certification and development processes and lead -time reduction 
• Experience with quality programs and processes 
• Familiarity with EDI implementation and supplier scheduling is a plus 
• Effective communication and negotiation skills taking into account the Global nature of today's market and supply base 
• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with customers, vendors, and employees 
• Effective organizational and time management skills; ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks successfully 
• Must be able to interact with personnel in manufacturing (factory) settings 
• Interaction with all aspects of a business (Engineering, Quality, Materials, Logistics, and Sales & Marketing) 
• Well-honed analytical and deductive reasoning skills and strong quantitative and mathematical abilities 
• Managing of multiple suppliers with over 100 part numbers, must be able to quantify this complexity 
• Inventory and/or quality management training /certification (i.e. APICS, Six Sigma, Audit, etc.) 

Competency;

Experience:

• 2 plus years of experience in a high volume environment - High volume/low cost purchasing 

• Experience in a manufacturing environment & with MRP 

Education/Certification:

• Bachelor’s degree in Materials Management, Business, Supply Chain,  or related field 

People Management: No

Physical Requirements / Work Environment:

• Must be able to perform essential responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodations. Domestic / Foreign travel may be involved – estimated 15%. 

Reports To:

• Manager, Commodity

The Company provides equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants regardless of a person’s race, color, religion (including religious dress or grooming practices), creed, national origin (including language use restrictions), citizenship, uniform service member or veteran status, ancestry, disability, physical or mental disability (including HIV/AIDS), medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, request for protected leave, marital status, sex, pregnancy, age (over 40), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by law. The Company will comply with all federal and state regulations and statutes pertaining to individuals with disabilities.