Procurement Specialist Sourcing II

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Job Summary:

Working under general direction, supports the Purchasing Division in an experienced capacity in purchasing packaging components, raw ingredients, and/or fine and costume jewelry and quality items for recognition, promotion, and special events programs. Plan, research, and purchase $10-20 million in inventory in the most cost-effective manner while maintaining quality and supply flexibility. Demonstrates the ability to negotiate and/or implements initiatives that reduce Company costs and/or prevents annual cost increases by $150,000 to 300,000. Assists with training new staff.

About the Role:

Responsibilities:

• Plans, researches, and purchases $10-20 million in inventory in the most cost-effective manner while maintaining quality and supply flexibility. Demonstrates the ability to negotiate and/or implements initiatives that reduce Company costs and/or prevents annual cost increases by $150,000 to $300,000. Acts independently and makes decisions consistent with the overall policies and objectives of the Manufacturing Group and the Purchasing Division. Utilizes sound logic and business analysis in decision-making. Occasionally challenges higher levels and gains their support and cooperation.

• Utilizing a full understanding of the processes, cost pressure points, and supply evaluates supplier competence relative to others in the industry. Accountable for selecting suppliers who meet the cost, quality, and production requirements of Mary Kay Inc. Researches and selects reliable first, second, and third source suppliers to increase capacity, achieve a competitive pricing situation, and ensure supply of quality components, ingredients, jewelry, recognition items, and turnkey contract manufacturing. Responsible for interaction and problem resolution with suppliers such as resolving invoicing discrepancies, negotiating price, quality, and delivery, obtaining quotes, and expediting delayed shipments. Responsible for supplier correspondence, purchase orders, change orders, and scheduling supplier evaluation trips. Manages Sales Rep and one level above rep and exhibits proven success with challenging suppliers.

• Pursues and investigates new project innovation occasionally and regularly executes alone. Leads a project with only very general direction from Supervisor and participates in determining objectives of assignment and schedules and arranges activities in accomplishing project objectives. Asks questions, probes for answers as to why internal and external procedures, processes and technology are in use and makes suggestions for improvement. Develops solutions to a variety of complex problems.

• Prepares the component, ingredient, or finished good standard costs for the annual budget. This impacts the standard cost, cost of goods, planned corporate cash flow, and Company profit margins. Included in the preparation are specific cost reduction plans to ensure the appropriate cost of goods is maintained or reduced.

• Responds to purchasing requirements that are listed in the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) report. Interfaces with Brand Marketing or Sales Force Recognition, Global Inventory Control, Supply Scheduling, Finance, Transportation and Compliance, Quality, and, depending on the project, Package Development, Engineering, Contract Manufacturing, and R&D to address purchasing requests, inquiries, problems, and status updates. Collaboration with Mary Kay China counterparts as needed to support their market needs.

• Intercedes on behalf of Supply Scheduling to troubleshoot finished goods, component, or ingredient supplier service issues regarding replenishment procurement.

• Buyer is assigned as the Purchasing owner for new product development initiatives. Interfaces with all departments involved in new product development from the initial idea phase to final approval. Responds to frequent changes and opportunities due to new products, materials, and processes and must complete projects on schedule.

• Interfaces routinely with supervisor to resolve problems and review progress on projects. Usually guided by Supervisor in developing occasional innovative projects. Remains abreast of current technology and processes so that Mary Kay Inc. remains competitive in the marketplace.

• With assistance from supervisor identifies tooling requirements for the annual budget process. Allocates tooling dollars as needed to execute both new product/package projects and upgrades to current packaging or increased capacity requirements. Submits Capital Expenditure Authorization requests with cost justifications calculated to cover tooling purchase orders required to buy all tooling. Responsible for issuing non-inventory purchase orders to cover all prep charges, artwork dies, etc. involved in producing components for Mary Kay Inc.

Skills & Experience:

Education: Bachelor/University Degree

Experience: 3+ years in procurement and negotiation

Additional Skills & Abilities:

• Job requires a bachelor's degree or equivalent in Business or related discipline plus 5 years of progressively responsible experience in purchasing as well as exposure to related areas.

• Must have effective negotiation skills in order to influence decisions that impact Company bottom-line. Must have the ability to effectively interface with internal and external contacts and have the ability to monitor delicate situations tactfully. Must have the ability to understand business needs and strategically plan the most cost-effective solution to goals and objectives, while balancing the needs of the independent sales force.

• Must possess and understand the ability to perform capacity analysis studies to support new product introductions at both a component and finished goods level.

• Must understand basic financial concepts and applications (i.e. NPV, ROI, Financial Statements, etc.) for evaluating new and current supplier's financial stability and for submitting business proposals on new projects, ideas, concepts, etc., or to gain approval from upper management.

• Must have effective decision-making skills since decisions impact the financial, employee, or public relations posture of the organization. Erroneous decisions or recommendations would normally result in failure to achieve goals critical to the major objectives of the organization.

• Must have effective organizational, project management, and time management skills to work effectively with internal and external contacts.

• Must have advanced knowledge of and experience in materials, manufacturing, printing, and decorating processes, in order to meet Company production and cost objectives while maintaining quality and supply flexibility.

• Must have effective oral and written communication skills in order to address purchasing requests, inquiries, and problems, interface effectively with suppliers, and to act as a liaison between Marketing and Manufacturing.

• Must be knowledgeable about the laws and regulations associated with each region and aware of the cultural differences between the US and the region. Must have the ability to work with multiple cultures, in order to interface effectively with subsidiaries.