SR BUYER

Job Title

Analyzes and negotiates pricing, terms, contracts, agreements, and purchase order content and commits Adhesives Research to the purchase of raw materials, capital items, professional services, maintenance, repair, operating (MRO) item/services, and indirect supplies. Utilizes Material Resource Planning (MRP) information to determine order quantities and generate accurate supply plans for all raw materials, to ensure 100% on-time delivery to our customers while minimizing on-hand inventory levels. Identifies and uses the proper suppliers that will consistently and reliably provide the best value for appropriate designs, specifications, and quality while providing deliveries when needed and at the appropriately negotiated prices.

Essential Functions:

• Execute procedures which lead to placing and changing purchase orders and contracts for raw materials, capital equipment, services, MRO items, and indirect materials for Operations and manufacturing and other support groups
• Conduct material planning analyses using current orders, sales forecasts, production schedules, lead-times and inventory levels to determine proper order quantities for all required raw materials
• Negotiate pricing reductions, quality enhancements, working capital improvements, and cost avoidances by working with existing suppliers or locating new sources
• Assist R&D with necessary information and material samples to support product development programs
• Ensure that newly approved products utilize materials from fully approved suppliers with commercially viable supply chains
• Evaluate performance, quality, and financial status of new suppliers to approve/certify them as sources
• Establish and maintain proper documentation to confirm approved supplier status, according to current procedures
• Research supplier sources, information, and technical assistance
• Assure that General Liability, Automobile, and Workers' Compensation and Employers Liability insurance certificates for suppliers are on file at AR, when necessary. Determine that these certificates fully meet AR requirements or have supplier sign Hold Harmless document and file accordingly
• Complete and distribute quarterly supplier scorecards for selected suppliers and file in SharePoint folder, in accordance with current procedures
• Conduct and lead half-year business reviews with key suppliers to review past performance and to identify improvement opportunities
• Facilitate a prompt and effective resolution of defective material issues through the Supplier Corrective Action Response (SCAR) process, in coordination with the SQE team
• Initiate and/or support change control procedures for all supplier changes
• Determine the most appropriate contracting method to be used for the purchase of materials and services
• Expedite overdue delivery of purchased materials and services, when required
• Enter and maintain all purchasing data in ERP system relating to supplier information, pricing, lead-times, MOQ's, shelf life, etc.
• Assure receipt of expected credits or replacements due from suppliers, resulting from shipment/receipt discrepancies, invoicing issues, or defective material
• Comply with and enforce all safety regulations
• Monitor commodity trends on assigned materials to proactively determine price movement and business impact
• Capably represent AR in business negotiations and transactions with external suppliers, where he/she will be the face of the company and the liaison between the supplier and fellow AR associates in Operations, Quality, R&D, and Sales
• Continually offer suggestions to improve the purchasing function
• Support achievement of the strategies and initiatives of Purchasing's Functional Plan and AR's corporate goals and objectives

Additional Responsibilities:

• Performs other duties and responsibilities, as required or as assigned

Job Specifications:

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in business, purchasing, supply chain management, technical or related field is required
• Minimum of five years' experience in Sourcing of both raw materials and MRO items in an ERP-driven manufacturing company
• Strong verbal and written communications that are commensurate with level of experience
• Demonstrated performance in negotiations with suppliers and in building and growing strong supplier relationships.
• Ability to recap and present Negotiation analysis
• Proficiency with standard desktop computing systems and software, along with previous experience with ERP system (preferably Oracle) for purchasing, planning, and scheduling in a manufacturing environment
• Excel capabilities
• Working knowledge of purchasing contract law
• Results-oriented mindset with demonstrated track record of delivering benefit to Purchasing and the overall business
• Have a basic understanding of manufacturing operations/systems and related processes
• Superior interpersonal skills when dealing with fellow associates or with external suppliers
• Ability to work well independently or with others in team environments
• Possess a strong decision-making process that will be used to evaluate various options, recognize similarities/differences, quickly determine benefits and risks, and take definitive action
• Knowledgeable in evaluating performance, quality, and financial status of new and existing suppliers, in order to approve, certify, evaluate, develop, or improve them, as required
• Sufficiently dynamic to initiate activities that implement some of his/her own ideas and able to enlist other's support to task completion

Physical Demands:

• None