Senior Buyer

Job Summary/Overview

The Senior Buyer is responsible for the timely procurement of certain assigned commodities as directed considering factors of cost, delivery, quality requirements and conformance to applicable specifications. This position is responsible for communicating with vendors on providing quality materials at competitive prices, delivered per our schedule, and ensuring on time delivery to our customers.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Accountable for timely ordering of required materials and requisition review
• ERP system maintenance of parameters such as supplier lead times, etc.
• Confers with vendors to obtain product or service information such as price, availability, and delivery schedule.
• Estimates values according to knowledge of market price.
• Determines method of procurement such as direct purchase or bid.
• Prepares purchase orders or bid requests.
• 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.
• Maintains procurement records such as items or services purchased, costs, delivery, product quality or performance, and inventories.
• 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.
• Relies on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals.
• Assumes a leadership role with colleagues.
• Approves invoices for payment (as necessary).
• Expedites delivery of goods to users.
• International buying and negotiating.
• Verifies nomenclature and specifications of purchase requests.
• Negotiates pricing on inventory items.
• Uses MRP to initiate and change purchase orders, maintain adequate levels of inventory using data and visual inspections, and updates specifications on inventory items.
• Expedites late purchase orders.
• Handles disposition of off standard purchased material.
• Sends copies of updated material specifications to vendors.
• Participates in various continuous improvement projects as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
   

Knowledge, Skills, Competencies, and Abilities

• A team player with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and detailed oriented.
• Reads and interprets documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.  Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. 
• Calculates figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.  Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra, geometry, and blueprint reading.
• Ability to 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.
• Understands and supports KPI’s in daily work.
• Experienced/proficient in Microsoft Excel, MS Office
• SAP experience desired
• APICS/ISM certification desired

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from college or university
• 5+ years experience and/or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proven track record of improving cost and supplier on time delivery performance.
• Equivalent combinations of experience and education may be considered
• 10-15% travel required to plants and vendors