Buyer I

Job Title

Continually improves and coordinates procurement, planning, and negotiation of materials, components, equipment, supplies and services necessary for the company at the optimal costs, lead-time, and service levels. Exercises good working knowledge of goods, services, and sources to ensure on-time delivery and purchases at prices consistent with quality and quantity requirements. Plans and schedules purchased materials and services based on the MRP requirements, purchasing procedures and customer requirements. Coordinates activities with other functional areas within the company. Makes effective use of processes, facilities, and sound business relationships to meet (or exceed) the company goals and objectives.

Essential Job Functions

• Responsible for selecting, ordering, and coordinating materials or services for production, office, and/or staff requirements, basing selection on engineering and specifications, as well as driving continuous improvement regarding price, quality, service, delivery performance, and lead-times.
• Measures supplier performance and takes the appropriate steps to ensure improvement, including working the various plant functional areas and suppliers to reduce defective or unacceptable goods or services.
• Processes orders, change orders, order acknowledgements, RMAs, and other transactions daily using MRP system and related ancillary data sources/toolsets developed for this activity, including other databases and spreadsheets.
• Supports continuous improvement efforts of processes and documentation including AS9100.
• May conduct forecasting processes, supplier managed inventory, make-for-hold, and other daily activities to meet internal and external customer requirements.
• Recommends or selects products for purchase through evaluation by testing, observing, or examining items to meet specifications. Estimates values according to knowledge of market price and conditions.
• Coordinates purchasing activities with manufacturing, planning, engineering, and quality to acquire material in a cost effective and timely manner to manage delivery schedules.
• Determines optimal methods of procurement such as direct purchase, bid, supplier-managed inventory, make-for-hold, etc. to support organization and customer requirements.
• Investigates and resolves invoicing and freight issues with Accounting and other departments.
• Optimizes our supplier base by negotiating better terms and conditions with existing suppliers within budgetary limitations and scope of authority.
• Assists in maintaining appropriate inventory levels to meet operational requirements, while working with the rest of the Supply Chain Team members to meet the required company inventory goals.
• Maintains records and systems consistent with a professional approach to purchasing activities.
• Participates in process improvement activities including Kaizen, Lean/Six Sigma activities, or other special projects as assigned.
• Adheres to all factory safety procedures and guidelines.
• Maintains clean, organized work environment and adheres to all safety standards, procedures, and regulations.
• Contributes to team effort in a collaborative and supportive manner.

* Other duties as required in support of the department and the company*

Qualifications

To succeed in this job, an individual must satisfactorily perform each essential job function. The requirements below represent the required knowledge, skill, and ability. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Education and Experience

• Two (2) year degree and 1 year of purchasing experience of High School diploma and three years of purchasing experience. Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Cable and electronic component purchasing experience desired.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• A PICS/ISM/Supply Chain certification or willingness to complete first module of APICS Certified Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) program (or equivalent) within one year of employment is required.

Language Requirements

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Conversational in any other language is a plus.

Job Skills

• Solid knowledge of ERP systems; SAP MM and PP modules is preferred.
• Proficient in MS Office.
• Solid skills, which may include Sourcing, Supplier Quality, Contract Administration, Inventory Control, Supplier Selection and Technical Development, Transactional Management, attention to detail, and critical thinking and problem-solving capability.
• Experience in Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement is preferred.
• Excellent negotiation and supplier interface skills.
• A team player that can relate to people at all levels of the organization and possesses excellent communication skills.
• An energetic, forward-thinking, and creative individual with high ethical standards and a positive professional image.
• Ability to be flexible and able to function comfortably in a fast paced, constantly changing and ambiguous environment.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, customers, suppliers, and employees. Portrays a positive and professional image. Ability to establish relations with a wide range of personalities, cultural backgrounds, and educational levels.
• Ability to work with basic mathematical concepts such as percentages, ratios, and proportions to job-related situations.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establishes facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
• Reliable and flexible to work additional hours on short notice to complete orders and/or special projects to meet customer demands.

Physical Demands

As part of their job duties, the employee must sit for lengthy periods while frequently using their hands to handle objects and communicate verbally. Additionally, they may need to stand, walk, reach, and occasionally lift objects weighing up to twenty (20) pounds. This role requires specific vision abilities, including close, distance, color, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. According to ADA regulations, reasonable accommodation will be provided to ensure that individuals with disabilities can perform the job's essential functions.

Work Environment

This is an air-conditioned work environment where employees have desks or cubicles and work in a fixed location. The physical environment is usually comfortable, well-lit, and equipped with the necessary facilities and hardware. The company culture is a culture of teamwork, communication, continuous improvement, business casual, strategic, and goal-oriented. The working conditions are stable, predictable, and secure.

Environmental Policy

ACIT is fully committed to minimizing the environmental impact of its operations, activities, and products. To achieve this, we adhere to all applicable environmental regulations and laws, prevent pollution, and continuously improve our environmental performance in all our global operations. This is possible through an Environmental Management System that provides a framework for setting and reviewing our environmental objectives and targets. We aim to identify and reduce any negative environmental impact our business activities may have.

Personal Protective Equipment Requirements

• ASTM F24122005, ANSI Z411999, or ANSI Z411991 rated safety toe shoes in specific areas.
• Clear ANSI Z87.1 safety-rated glasses in specific areas.
• Hearing protection in specific locations.
• Ability to compile with JSA in specific areas.

Export Compliance Disclaimer

This position includes access or potential access to ITAR and EAR (Export Administration Regulations) technical data. Therefore, candidates must qualify as US Persons, defined as US Citizens or Permanent Residents (Green Card Holders).

Travel

Approximately 5 % of travel is expected.