Operational Buyer III

Job Responsibilities:

• Manage day-to-day operational procurement and purchasing activities independently with minimal supervision.
• Maintain, audit, and update purchase orders, supplier records, material master data, and procurement information in SAP.
• Ensure procurement master data and outline agreements are accurate and current to support reliable MRP calculations and efficient PO creation.
• Proactively manage raw material supplier performance to ensure material requirements and production plans can be achieved.
• Monitor and track supplier performance and provide feedback to strategic buyers and category managers.
• Manage supplier delivery confirmations and expedite orders that do not meet MRP or production requirements.
• Manage MRP-driven delivery date push-outs and pull-ins.
• Resolve late or missing purchase order confirmations.
• Address supplier pricing discrepancies and delivery/shipping-related issues.
• Manage Level 2 vendor escalations and drive timely resolution.
• Monitor supplier performance and drive improvements in on-time delivery, quality conformance, and compliance.
• Manage and resolve vendor returns, including RMA processes, cost recovery, and replacement requirements.
• Conduct regular open-order review meetings with suppliers.
• Collaborate with Accounts Payable to research and resolve invoice inquiries and discrepancies.
• Support supplier and raw material onboarding and approval activities with internal cross-functional stakeholders.
• Support implementation of supplier changes and initiatives led by category managers and strategic buyers.
• Lead competitive bidding processes in accordance with applicable procurement policies.
• Execute RFx market interventions and support sourcing activities as required.
• Lead negotiations with suppliers for low-value contracts.
• Provide procurement data and analysis by extracting, manipulating, and interpreting raw purchasing information.
• Create actionable procurement reports and analyses using Excel and business intelligence tools.
• Collaborate with the broader procurement organization to maintain accurate supplier and material information.
• Support strategic buyers and category managers in implementing supply strategies.
• Train new employees and junior colleagues on procurement processes and systems.
• Mentor and provide guidance to more junior team members.
• Identify and communicate procurement, supplier, quality, delivery, and operational risks in a timely manner.
• Follow established SOPs, policies, and GMP requirements.
• Support a safe working environment by following site safety procedures, attending required training, and promptly reporting incidents or potential hazards.
• Work effectively in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple priorities, projects, and deadlines.

Skills:

• Operational Procurement
• Purchasing
• Direct Raw Material Procurement
• SAP ERP
• Material Requirements Planning (MRP)
• Purchase Requisitions and Purchase Orders
• Supplier Management
• Vendor Management
• Supplier Performance Management
• Vendor Escalation Management
• Supplier Negotiation
• Competitive Bidding
• RFx Processes
• Procurement Data Analysis
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Office
• Invoice Resolution
• Accounts Payable Coordination
• Vendor Returns / RMA
• Cost Recovery
• Material and Vendor Master Data
• MRP Planning
• GMP Compliance
• SOP Compliance
• Risk Identification
• Process Improvement
• Mentoring and Training
• Strong Written and Verbal Communication
• Customer Service Mindset
• Multitasking and Time Management

Education/Experience:

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in operational procurement, purchasing, or supply chain, or equivalent combination of relevant experience and education.
• Hands-on experience using SAP ERP in a purchasing/procurement environment is required.
• Experience purchasing direct raw materials and managing the Purchase Requisition-to-Purchase Order process.
• Experience managing suppliers and conducting low-value supplier negotiations.
• Experience conducting competitive bid processes preferred.
• Strong Microsoft Office and Excel skills.
• APICS or equivalent MRP Planner certification preferred.
• Ability to analyze and manipulate procurement data using Excel and/or BI tools.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, organizational, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to work independently and effectively within a cross-functional team.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and objectives in a fast-paced, high-workload environment.
• Ability to read and follow SOPs and company policies and identify non-routine events.
• Proactive, action-oriented, adaptable, and able to identify and escalate risks promptly.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to effectively manage supplier relationships.
• Ability to mentor and train new and junior team members.
• Knowledge and adherence to GMP requirements in a regulated manufacturing environment.
• Must be willing to work onsite in Vacaville, CA, five days per week.