Buyer

Job Description

Job Description

Company Description

Our purpose is to make a difference in the world by reducing carbon emissions and improving access to clean energy with every module we make.

At Silfab Solar, the energy of our people is the power behind our success. Our employees actively shape the solar innovations of tomorrow, while adhering to the highest ethical operating standards and promoting a respectful and safe workplace for our diverse workforce.

Silfab Solar is the North American leader in the design, development, and manufacture of high-efficiency, premium quality solar cells and solar modules. Silfab leverages more than 40 years of solar experience and best-in-class technologies operating state-of-the-art facilities in Burlington, Washington, Fort Mill, South Carolina, and corporate headquarters in Toronto, Canada. Each operating facility features multiple automated production lines, certified to the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System standard, and just-in-time manufacturing to deliver Buy American approved PV modules specifically designed for and dedicated to the North American market.

We are committed to investing in our employees, providing a dynamic and supportive environment for learning and professional growth. We offer competitive pay, generous benefits, and opportunities for advancement, but more importantly, we offer you the ability to make a real difference in the world.

Summary of Position

The Buyer is responsible for the purchasing of supplies for the company, processing purchase requests, working with vendors on price and delivery, and ensuring the smooth running of internal operations by various duties as assigned. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Supplier Relations

• Assist in developing a strong relationship with suppliers, acting as a point of contact in Silfab Solar Inc.  
• Develop new contacts and sources of supply through research, networking, and assistance from the executive team.  
• Perform supplier due diligence in qualifying potential new suppliers and insuring supplier compliance with Silfab Solar guidelines as per company policy.   
• Use benchmarking, statistical techniques, value engineering, and total cost activities to ensure that suppliers continue to offer the best market prices available.  
• Assist supplier side of the negotiations process and ensure management is fully aware of all aspects of the transactions through ongoing meetings and updates.   
• Assess the risks within a given transaction and develop contingency plans for alternate sources of supply where necessary.  
• Maintain supplier information for entry into the Sales Management, Accounting, and Logistics Tracking systems.   
• Ensure that deal confirmations are received from suppliers per company guidelines.   
• Address product quality and delivery concerns directly with the supplier.  
• Assist production, engineering, sales and marketing in developing sources for new products based on internal directions and market trends.    

Managerial

• Ensure timely supply of raw materials, semi-finished products, machinery and equipment, materials and services for manufacturing, inspection, packaging and logistic, including utilities, janitorial and general office needs.  
• Daily management of an efficient but effective level of inventories, in coordination with Operations and Finance.  
• Collaborate with logistics and supplier to best accommodate delivery scheduling of all inbound goods.  
• Provide inbound goods delivery forecasting on a weekly basis.  
• Manage and track all open purchase orders.  
• Total ownership of all materials planning including completing BOM replenishment planning, ordering of goods, providing delivery forecasting and following up of all goods until order is received in stock.  
• Collaborate with engineering and maintenance to develop minimum quantities to keep on hand, alternate supply bases for all critical parts, and managing of inventories, including reordering as required.    

Buying and Publishing

• Set up and maintain stock and supplier records.  
• Order product based on rate of sale and min/max quantities to maintain optimum levels.  
• Monitor daily out-of-stock information, customer’s backorders, and re-orders.  
• Follow up non-delivered supplier purchase orders and back orders.  
• Prepare documentation and attend monthly buying meetings and minute action points.  
• Keep publication dates for forthcoming products up to date.  
• Update sales orders based on product status changes.  
• Manage price change/information changes.  
• Maintenance of individual product lists.  
• Placing orders to ensure maximum benefit taken from special terms available.  
• Manage replenishment function for consignment accounts.  
• Maintain consignment and distribution supplier files.  
• Setting up and maintaining stock and supplier records.  
• Manage supplier invoice/supply disputes.  
• Investigate stock discrepancies and adjust as necessary.    
• Answer and field incoming calls.  
• Process orders received from customers and sales team.  
• Handle customer orders and product queries.  
• Prepare sales/product reports for customers/sales team on request.  
• Provide support to sales team.    

Skills

• Proficient in Microsoft Office
• Outstanding interpersonal, intercultural and communication skills.
• Excellent Troubleshooting and problem-solving skills  

Traits

• Ability to work cross-functionally.  
• Ability to work independently and as a part of team.   
• Detailed oriented individual capable of time and Project Management. 
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to plan, implement, and execute procurement strategies.

• Bachelor's degree in Purchasing Management, Supply Chain Management or Business Management.
• Experience in collecting and analyzing data.
• 3 years’ procurement, in manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrate knowledge of procurement systems, processes, and procedures.
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to plan, implement, and execute procurement strategies.

Compensation and Benefits

• Paid Time Off (vacation and holiday)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance Plans
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Employee Recognition Programs
• Employee PV Panel Purchase Program  
• RRSP Plan