Buyer

Operational Buyer

Job Location: Vacaville, CA

Job Duration: 06 Months on W2 (Potential Extension)

Job Summary:

• Proactively manage the performance of raw material suppliers, to ensure the Material Requirement Plan can be realized.
• Ensure relevant Procurement Master Data is available and maintained in SAP so the Material Requirements Plan (MRP) can be calculated reliably and the PO creation process can be as effective as possible.
• Support the category manager and strategic buyers to implement their supply strategies.
• Cooperate closely with Accounts Payable to resolve invoice queries.

Job Description:

• Monitor & track supplier performance and feedback to strategic buyers and/or category managers
• Support the implementation of supplier changes and other initiatives led by Central Category managers and Site Strategic Buyers
• Collaborate with the broader procurement team to ensure all relevant material & vendor master data and outline agreements are available in SAP and are up to date
• Manage all Level 2 vendor escalations, including but not limited to:

1. Expediting delivery confirmation dates that don't meet our MRP and production needs
2. MRP driven delivery date "Push Out" or "Pull In"
3. Late or missing PO confirmations
4. Pricing Discrepancies
5. Delivery and Shipping related issues and inquiries

• Manage Vendor performance, driving improvements on time delivery, quality conformance, and other compliance issues
• Manage and resolve Vendor Returns (RMA, Cost Recovery, Replacements)
• Perform regular open order review meeting with Vendors
• Manage AP Inquiries (Invoice issues, etc..)
• Support internal cross-functional stakeholders to onboard and approve new raw materials and supplier
• Lead competitive bid process (per applicable policy) and/or execute RFx market interventions
• Lead supplier negotiations for low value contracts with supplier
• Train new joiners and junior colleagues
• Supervise more junior colleagues in the team
• Perform other duties as assigned

Skills:

• Customer service mindset and ability to manage several priorities simultaneously
• Positive attitude with a willingness to learn new skill sets
• Working knowledge of general business practices
• Experience and knowledge of both Operational Procurement and Purchasing of Direct (Raw Materials) (e.g. Purchase Requisition to Purchase Order Process)
• Conducting competitive bid processes
• Experience of managing suppliers and carrying out low value negotiations
• Able to persuade and influence suppliers to achieve best outcome for Lonza
• Hands on experience of using SAP ERP in a purchasing/procurement role
• Hands on experience of using Microsoft Office
• Ideally APICS or equivalent MRP Planner certificate

Key Responsibilities:

• Procurement & SAP Data: Maintain and audit purchasing records, purchase orders, and supplier data in SAP.
• Data & Analytics: Function as an embedded analyst—pull and manipulate raw procurement data to create actionable reports.
• Vendor Management: Handle supplier complaints and resolve invoice, delivery, or fulfillment issues.

Requirements:

• Manage day-to-day purchasing workflows independently with minimal supervision.
• Experience: 5+ years in operational procurement or supply chain, or a combination with a degree in data analysis.
• Technical: Proficient in SAP and advanced data manipulation (Excel/BI tools).
• Skills: Strong problem-solver, self-directed, and detail-oriented. Able to communicate efficiently and patiently with vendors.

Education :

• Associates or Bachelor in Business, Economics, Engineering, Procurement or Supply Chain (Preferred)