Buyer

Role Overview and Responsibilities

Introduction: The purpose of this role is to ensure reliable, on-time, and fully available material supply from suppliers to all manufacturing sites once sourcing is complete. The role owns shortage management, supplier execution, and mid-term supply assurance, ensuring materials arrive to the factory at the right time, in the right quantity, to support production and kitting requirements. It also provides oversight of supplier inbound quality issues, especially where they affect material availability, to secure stable, interruption-free supply performance.

Key Responsibilities:

Supplier Delivery Performance Management

• Own day-to-day operational relationships with suppliers once contracts / POs and sourcing are in place and/or completed.
• Ensure suppliers deliver materials on time to required need dates.
• Monitor and manage supplier adherence to delivery schedules, quantities, lead times.
• Drive supplier recovery actions when performance falls below required levels.
• Ensures all data above is reflected in the site operational shortage sheets, with an emphasis on actionable comments, delivery and dates, and timely updates (no comments or dates in the past)
• Takes ownership of issue resolution internally to facilitate on time delivery of products (e.g. when engineering or invoice queries occur)

Supply Assurance & Risk Management

• Identify risks in inbound supply (capacity constraints, logistics delays, long lead-time components, quality-related disruptions).
• Work cross functionally to mitigate risks (e.g. capacity - work with Sourcing team to determine and trigger appropriate action)
• Coordinate risk mitigation plans with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Manage escalation processes for critical materials impacting production.

Purchase Order & Logistics Execution

• Ensure accuracy and timely release of purchase orders to suppliers.
• Monitor order confirmations, shipment status, and delivery compliance.
• Coordinate logistics activities (shipping method, incoterms, consolidation, carriers) as required to meet delivery requirements.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work with Production Planning to ensure alignment between supply plans and supplier capabilities – with strong focus on Clear to Build process.
• Collaborate with SIOP to communicate supplier capacity limits and constraints, and timelines.
• Provide supplier performance inputs for ongoing supplier evaluations and future sourcing decisions.

Continuous Improvement & Performance Tracking

• Maintain supplier KPIs (OTD – to requirement date, number of shortages – 'reds and greys').
• Lead supplier performance reviews and drive corrective actions.
• Support improvements in inbound supply processes – visibility, inventory strategies, order book reviews
• Participate in initiatives for supplier management and supply chain visibility.

Qualifications, Skills and Attributes

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Technical Skills

• Strong understanding of inbound supply management, logistics flows, and supplier operations.
• Familiarity with MRP/ERP systems and supplier scheduling processes.
• Knowledge of lead-time structures, MOQ, safety stock strategies, and material availability drivers.
• Understanding of electronics component supply constraints (advantageous).

Experience

• Experience in supply chain, supplier management, materials management, or logistics coordination.
• Background in manufacturing, electronics, or high-mix environments preferred.
• Experience working across multiple sites or in a matrix organisation is beneficial.

Soft Skills

• Strong communication and influence with both internal teams and external suppliers.
• Problem-solving mindset with ability to manage escalations under time pressure.
• Analytical approach to performance tracking and risk identification.
• Resilient, proactive, and highly organised.

Qualifications: Implementation and Site Maturity

This role description reflects the current differing levels of maturity in different sites across TT. In each site the role holder should be looking to stabilise and improve the service from the supply chain into the site – hence this role specification reflects the different stages of the maturity cycle.

Shortage Management & Material Availability

Foundational: Shortage Measurement

• Establish and maintain a formal shortage file.
• Define and communicate shortage types:
• Production Shortages – material not available at production start (GREYS)
• Kitting Shortages – material not available at kit release (REDS)
• Enable full visibility of shortages cross-functionally across Planning, Procurement, and Operations.

Developing: Structured Shortage Management

The role ensures every shortage includes:

• A valid Purchase Order
• A Supplier Promise Date
• A promise date that is in the future
• Clear escalation through Procurement and directly with the supplier

This ensures shortages are managed proactively and systematically.

Mature: Material Readiness

• The target is to achieve high level of availability of materials at TT requirement date to support kitting. (default = 95%).
• Drive weekly KPI and shortage reviews across the supply chain, and internally with procurement and buying teams.
• Maintain accurate supply dashboards & shortages sheets.
• Shift from reactive expediting to anticipatory material management (production shortages (greys) kitting shortages (reds) and forthcoming deliveries in the 2-12 week horizon (blues and greens).

Leading: 2–12 Week Horizon Assurance

For all 2–12 week demand requirements, ensure:

• Purchase orders exist
• Promise dates are available
• Promise dates are credible (future-dated)
• 95% of promises match production start requirements

This represents a fully mature, forward-looking supply assurance process.

Key Relationships: Operations director, Site VPGM, Regional P&C deployment lead.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The Individual must be able to maintain confidentiality and have good judgment. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. A pleasant professional image is always expected. Candidate is expected to exhibit high ethical standards and promote the same within the company.

Safety is a core responsibility of this position. Team members are expected to perform all job duties in accordance with company safety policies, OSHA regulations, and established procedures. This includes wearing required personal protective equipment (PPE), participating in safety training, immediately reporting unsafe conditions or incidents, and stopping work when unsafe conditions exist. All employees are responsible for maintaining a safe, clean, and organized work environment and for actively contributing to the prevention of workplace injuries and accidents.

Location: 100 % onsite in Greater Cleveland, Ohio

This position requires use of information which is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), which means that limitations relating to nationality may apply.

Employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Solving Technology Challenges for a Sustainable World

We want the very best people in our TT family across the globe – so we welcome applications from everyone, to celebrate a diverse mix of experiences, backgrounds and identities. We are committed to equality of opportunity for all and you can rest assured that TT Electronics takes positive steps to ensure we are an inclusive business, that will welcome and support you, from your initial application to wherever your career takes you! Please get in touch if you'd like to discuss any reasonable adjustments to your application, in order that we can accommodate and support you in