Buyer I

The Buyer is responsible for purchasing components and maintaining an open line of communication from a variety of suppliers as well as working cross-functionally within the company on topic such as component issues, costing or invoicing concerns, NMR's and receiving inspections, and ECO's.  The Buyer is responsible for continuously working with suppliers to improve on-time delivery and work to continuously improve raw good turns and look for cost reduction opportunities. 

Materials purchased are processed, consumed or used in the organization and are not purchased for direct resale; this is not a merchandising buyer. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Execute standard purchasing processes and strategies including procure-to-pay definition and optimization. 

• Incumbents at this level have the authority to purchase at the most favorable price consistent with quality, quantity, delivery and other factors, raw materials, equipment, machinery and/or supplies for the operation of the organization 

• Participates in the selection of vendor sources and has considerable latitude in determining acceptable price 

• Support direction and strategies regarding supplier demand forecasting, supplier capacity planning, supply base inventory management, supplier replenishment and procurement transactions.  Recommend cost saving proposals including make-versus-buy analysis, alternative sourcing, step pricing for volume discounts, and vendor evaluation criteria. 

• Plan and maintain optimal level of inventory using plan for every part (PFEP). 

• Manage supplier on time delivery (OTD) performance, maintain system data integrity and measure performance on related key indicators (examples: past due purchase orders, open PO acknowledgements, PO expedites, non-conforming material return cycle time, and supplier invoice resolution). Proactively identify, communicate, and assist with resolving issues that delay material deliveries 

• Requisition major purchased items and coordinate timely processing of those parts finished outside the company. Establish good working relationships with suppliers and internal customers. Coordinate engineering change order (ECO) activities with suppliers and internal support functions.  

• Work with Corporate Strategic Sourcing department to identify key and preferred suppliers for key categories of spend that support business unit and corporate objectives. 

• Act as SAP Super User within functional area as assigned. 

• Other duties as assigned. 

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Associates Degree in related field OR equivalent experience 

• 1 years of purchasing, planning or related experience in a manufacturing environment 

Preferred Qualifications:  

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business or Supply Chain Management 

• Association for Operations Management (APICS) Certification 

• Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM) 

• Previous experience using SAP or equivalent ERP 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite 

• Effective and successful contract negotiation skills.   

• Strong project management and analytical skills including ability to problem solve, manage shifting deadlines and priorities in fast paced environment  

• Effective verbal and written communication skills