Buyer

Procurement And Planning Buyer

Arlon Graphics, LLC is a cast vinyl manufacturing company in the business of creating innovative material for visual expression. Founded in 1958, Arlon Graphics manufactures and markets high-quality pressure-sensitive materials for the fleet, architectural, digital imaging, and signage markets. Join the Arlon Graphics conversation.

This key position is responsible for the procurement and planning of materials at Arlon. This role will execute buying decisions to ensure raw materials and outsourced products are at optimal stock levels for current and future demand and quantities to meet sales requirements and minimize obsolete inventory. The buyer is expected to build relationships with internal and external suppliers and become knowledgeable of their capabilities and future business potential.

Key Responsibilities

• Generate, review, analyze and manage system demand plan, demand history and business inputs to develop executable procurement plan in support to production plan and future customer shipments and warehouses shipments.
• Handle day-to-day correspondence concerning over-shipments, delivery shortages, changes in quantity, delivery dates, and prices and report such changes to the interested parties in a timely manner as required.
• Complete purchase requests with domestic and international suppliers by inputting purchase orders, expediting deliveries, and verifying all transactions.
• Maintains appropriate inventory levels consistent with targeted inventory goals and stocking strategies to meet inventory turn and service goals.
• Work directly with suppliers in managing inventory levels and purchases of raw materials.
• Provides detailed analysis as needed regarding purchasing requirements, material usage, inventory levels and targets
• Analyzing historical data and forecast requirements to better understand and optimize purchasing levels.
• Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending workshops and reviewing professional publications.
• Assist internal and external customers by interpreting laws, policy, codes, and regulations pertaining to purchasing; answer inquiries both orally and in writing concerning purchasing operations.
• Sourcing new materials to help support new product development and cost reductions.
• Continuous negotiations for cost reductions, annual rebates and terms that are optimal for Arlon to help drive down cost structures.
• Support purchasing MRO materials and other functions, as needed.

Vendor/Supplier Management

• Monitor supplier performance by ensuring that materials is delivered as scheduled and meets specifications; maintaining appropriate files and records of meetings with suppliers to ensure company requirements are met.
• Manage all areas when relating to the supplier and interactions (coordinating meetings, following up on new projects and products, following up).
• Provide reporting, KPI updates and metric data related to supply chain indices as assigned.
• Liaison between quality and supplier to get corrective action on any quality or service related issues.

Systems

• Maintain accuracy of stock code information within SAP, including lead-time, pricing, current supplier information, current purchase order data, etc.
• Continually searches for strategic process and system improvement for procurement process and vendor/supplier management.
• Ensure SAP parameters are maintained by monitoring minimum, maximum, safety stock, and current inventory levels; making recommendations to management for adjustments to levels.
• Working knowledge of SAP, to develop into the subject matter expert on SAP procurement module

Collaboration

• Works with warehousing and logistics to ensure clear communication of inventory spikes and warehouse requirements for stocking.
• Works with Product Management to understand forecast changes and new product pipeline.
• Ability to interact and work effectively across multiple departments and various management levels.
• Communicate with shipping and receiving regarding expected deliveries and volumes in advance of arrival at Arlon to accommodate and prepare for any storage requirements in warehousing.
• Contribute to team effort by accomplishing other job-related tasks as needed; enabling other workers to achieve their job objectives.

Requirements

• BA or BS in Materials Management, Procurement, Business Administration, Operations Planning or a related field required.
• Three (3) years' experience in procurement including purchasing, inventory control, contract negotiation, supply management, and supplier relationships.
• Knowledge of MRP processes.
• Computer proficiency in MRP/MPS systems, Excel, Word, and database applications required.
• Valid driver license, auto insurance and travel documents.
• Personally guided by, espouses, communicates, and works with, and through, values of integrity, excellence, inspirational, teamwork and accountability (Arlon's core values). Demonstrates strong commitment to organizational goals and acts in the best interest of the company.

Additional Considerations/" Nice to have"

• Supply Chain Designations, CPM, CSCP or APICS certification
• SAP working knowledge.

The current pay for this position is between $80K - $90K/year. Rate of pay will depend on factors such as market conditions and location, job-related knowledge and skills, education, training and experience. If hired, employment will be at will. The Company reserves the right to modify pay, as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program, at any time.

Arlon is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other protected status in accordance with all applicable laws.