Senior Buyer

Job Summary/Overview

The Senior Buyer reviews material requirements for actual and forecasted sales, and plans and purchases the highest quality materials, parts and components, etc. at the most cost-effective pricing while meeting delivery requirements and analyzes material requirements to determine when the materials will be needed, in accordance with company policies and procedures.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Run MRP status reports and analyze for adequate inventory levels of materials to meet projected production needs.  Process purchase orders and/or blanket orders and order needed materials to meet production requirements. Check on materials and parts shortages, communicate and expedite as needed.
• Maintain technical competency with ERP systems and best practices.
• Train, mentor and assist buyers with job related questions/issues.
• Lead projects and/or cross functional teams from start to finish, driving continuous improvement both internally and throughout the supply chain.
• Point person for communication on order status amongst various facilities.
• Assist on cross-functional teams to ensure the continuous, on-going improvement of processes, methods, productivity, and quality, while reducing costs.
• Review all purchase or MRP requisitions and order accordingly, meeting delivery requirements. Fax, mail and/or e-mail purchase orders to suppliers
• Facilitate quotes, quote analysis and qualification of suppliers for materials and parts, negotiating the most cost-effective solution while ensuring the ability to deliver to support production requirements and the meeting of quality standards.
• Meet with vendors/suppliers to discuss and improve performance – quality, lead time and on-time delivery and opportunities for improvement. Visit supplier locations as required to become familiar with their products and processes.
• Set up part numbers for purchased items as needed, including pricing, costing, lead time, supplier, and MRP planning information.  Set up part numbers for manufactured items as needed, including costing, manufacturing lead time, MRP planning and routing information.
• Assist with the establishment of supplier managed, kanban, or consignment inventories.
• Assist in reconciling invoice and receiving transaction discrepancies.
• Process returns for defective materials and parts.  Expedite replacement materials and parts.  Process inventory adjustments according to departmental procedures.
• Record supplier non-conformances in the central database and follow appropriate corrective actions per departmental procedures. Drive supplier adherence to Magnetek standards and improvement.
• Assumes a leadership role with colleagues.
• Discusses defective or unacceptable goods or services with inspection or quality control personnel, vendors, and others to determine source of trouble and take corrective action.
• Negotiates pricing on inventory items.
• Participates in various continuous improvement projects as required.
• Reviews bid proposals and negotiates contracts within budgetary limitations and scope of authority.
• Create, solicit, and analyze supplier RFQ’s.
• Compares prices, specifications, and delivery dates and awards contracts to bidders or places orders with suppliers.
• Determines method of procurement such as direct purchase or bid.
• Estimates values according to knowledge of market price.

Knowledge, Skills, Competencies, and Abilities

• Experienced/proficient in Microsoft Excel
• Understand, support, and drive KPI’s and improvement and compliance to standards – supplier OTD, cost improvement, prompt PO releases, etc.
• Lead RCCM (Root Cause Countermeasure) actions to improve team effectiveness.
• Read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.  Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.  Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.  Bilingual desired.
• Calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.  Ability to apply concepts of blueprint reading.
• Solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from college or university
• 5+ years’ experience in Supply Chain role or progressively responsible related experience
• Proven track record of improving cost and supplier on time delivery performance.
• APICs CSCP and/or CPIM preferred.
• Equivalent combinations of experience and education may be considered