Senior Procurement Specialist

Procurement Specialist

Location: Torrington, CT, US, 06790

In this role, Procurement Specialist, reporting to the Senior Manager of Procurement, is responsible for developing and executing assigned category / supply chain strategies as it pertains to the procurement of critical, complex, and/or high dollar equipment and components. The selected candidate will lead efforts to optimize the supply base, generate cost savings and support current and new product development initiatives by ensuring continuous, on time and uninterrupted flow of materials to Production, Field Service and R&D projects consistent with FCE policies.

Essential Functions/Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for all Production, MRO, Project and Service procurement and supply management functions relating to, and in support of cost reduction and supply chain risk mitigation initiatives.
• Specific focus on sourcing and supplier development; including, but not limited to: Request For Quotation, bid analysis, supplier selection, commercial negotiations, and overall production schedule performance in accordance with technical, commercial, quality, safety, and schedule requirements.
• Responsible for negotiating and/or implementing contracts with suppliers for price, quality, delivery, and service.
• Working with Supplier Development Engineer, will find innovative ways to reach common ground for a win/win relationship to develop a global supply base that creates and sustains a competitive advantage for FCE.
• Identifies and actively pursues cost reduction opportunities, driving savings in line with overall business expectations, ensuring targets for cost reduction are met.
• Manages cost models for suppliers (price, volume, discounts, commodity cost forecasts and cost drivers, etc.).
• Maintain ownership of the whole procurement process from component acquisition, and administration of contract, on time deliveries, quality through invoice payment and warranty terms.
• Develop and maintain metrics for monitoring supply chain processes and take corrective actions and drive for continuous improvement all throughout the supply chain.
• Responsible and accountable for developing and managing risk mitigation plans for assigned product categories.
• Responsible for maintaining an effective Kanban system with suppliers to improve inventory turns, while maintaining 100% on time shipment to our customers.
• Make sure suppliers have current approved and released Specs and Drawings revisions.
• Participate in new product introduction as required; help identify and qualify new suppliers as needed.
• Participate in Suppliers Audit as required.
• Interface with Manufacturing, Finance, Engineering, Quality, and shipping/receiving personnel on material issues, invoicing issues, production planning and other issues.
• Function as a team member to share ideas, exchange and report information, and develop solutions to problems to assure on time delivery to our customers while continue to improve inventory turns.
• Maintain all purchasing data in ERP.
• Uses their market knowledge to mitigate obsolescence risks; proactively seek information to predict, understand and analyze obsolescence risks and develop appropriate strategies.
• Perform additional tasks and/or special projects as requested.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in any concentration required, supply chain degree preferred
• No experience required, 2+ years' experience in a manufacturing environment is preferred
• Six Sigma certification and CPSM is a plus
• Strong verbal and written communication, conflict resolution, analytical, organizational, project management and negotiation skills to influence external and internal suppliers and customers to minimize and eliminate all supply chain risks.
• In-depth knowledge of procurement, both strategically and operationally, with a strong understanding of procurement and strategic sourcing processes.
• A track record of success in qualifying alternate sources of supply and achieving cost reductions for complex engineered components and equipment.
• Technical and commodity knowledge of: raw materials (i.e. ferrous and non-ferrous metals), various manufacturing processes (i.e. welding, brazing, machining, fabrication, and stamping), and electrical equipment (transformers and fans).
• Exceptional negotiation skills; experienced in developing win-win relationships with key suppliers.
• Able to develop short, mid and long term strategies.
• Treat suppliers as business partners. Trust them but verify the trust using data.
• Able to lead Contract negotiations with suppliers on pricing, and Terms & Conditions which support business requirements, including clearly defined service expectations / goods specifications, performance measurement practices and shortfall remedies.
• Experienced in Lean tools of Kanban, Kaizen, PokYoke, etc.
• Skill of Six Sigma is a strong plus.
• Able to multi-task and effectively manage all phases of a number of strategic sourcing programs concurrently.
• Demonstrable skills to interpret and analyze data in order to present business cases supporting sourcing recommendations.
• Models a positive can-do attitude and is cooperative both within their function and company-wide.
• Demonstrated ability to achieve results by motivating and influencing others, moves organization toward accomplishment of objectives.
• Be a self-starter & proactive. Must have "stick-to-itivness" skill regardless of the set backs
• Proficient in Microsoft Office software suite, including: Outlook, Word, Excel, Project, and PowerPoint.
• Experience working with an ERP system (Microsoft Dynamics AX, a plus).
• Able to support and adhere to policies, procedures, and operational guidelines related to established quality management system (ISO 9001:2015).

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions:

General work is in an office environment utilizing a computer and other office equipment. Must be able to drive between CT offices to attend meetings as required for specific meetings. Have the ability to travel domestically ~ 10%.