ROLE: SENIOR BUYER
COMP: $100K PLUS DISCRETIONARY BONUS AND STELLAR BENEFITS
LOCATION: IN OFFICE
The Senior Buyer role at is a pivotal position in our Procurement team, responsible for ensuring the efficient acquisition of materials, equipment, supplies, and services in line with the company’s operational and strategic goals. This role requires a strong focus on executing purchasing activities, inventory monitoring/optimization, supplier relationship management, and cost-saving initiatives. The Senior Buyer will manage the entire purchase order lifecycle, work closely with various departments such as production, quality, finance/accounting, and engineering, and participate in key sourcing activities, contributing to the overall success of the company’s supply chain performance.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Purchasing and Supplier Management
• Execute purchasing activities, ensuring compliance with established procurement regulations and procedures.
• Manage a diverse portfolio of suppliers, ensuring selection of preferred suppliers based on pricing, delivery schedules, and quality standards.
• Issue, confirm, and monitor purchase orders, validating supplier pricing, shipping terms, payment terms, and delivery locations to meet company needs.
• Review supplier bids, negotiate terms, and establish new supplier agreements as necessary.
• Develop and maintain supplier performance measurements, focusing on quality, on-time delivery, and cost-effectiveness.
Purchase Order and Inventory Management
• Generate material requirements based on production schedules and manage purchase orders from creation to completion.
• Adjust order quantities, shipment dates, and pricing as needed to align with changing production needs, while maintaining cost integrity.
• Ensure purchase orders are closed upon receipt of all items or services, and review open orders to determine expediting, cancellation, or closure actions.
Cost Management and Strategic Sourcing
• Analyze cost trends and implement cost-saving initiatives, focusing on increasing spend efficiency and driving down operational costs.
• Conduct thorough spend analysis to identify savings opportunities and manage a portfolio of savings projects.
• Enhance material productivity through improved inventory turnover, consignment usage, and supplier-managed inventory.
• Monitor supply budgets and collaborate with management to ensure cost targets are met.
Supplier Compliance and Risk Mitigation
• Act as an escalation point for any supplier performance issues or supply chain disruptions that impact operations.
• Ensure corrective actions are taken for defective or unacceptable goods/services, coordinating with quality control and operations teams to resolve issues.
• Manage supplier corrective action requests (SCARs) and drive continuous supplier improvement.
Cross-functional Collaboration
• Collaborate with production, quality, finance, and engineering teams to ensure procurement activities support company goals.
• Lead or participate in the Engineering Change Order (ECO) process to align procurement strategies with production changes.
• Support cross-functional teams in inventory management, logistics coordination, and transportation management to ensure timely receipt of materials.
Continuous Improvement and Process Optimization
• Contribute to the development and execution of procurement strategies that align with company objectives for cost savings and operational efficiency.
• Assist in developing key supplier programs and partnerships, driving continuous supplier improvement.
• Participate in or lead small projects focused on enhancing procurement processes, with a focus on driving best-in-class purchasing capabilities.
• Maintain procurement records in ERP systems, ensuring data accuracy for purchased items, costs, delivery schedules, and performance metrics.
REQUIREMENTS: EDUCATION/SKILLS/EXPERIENCE
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or related field, or 5+ years of relevant experience in an operations purchasing environment.
Experience:
5+ years of experience in procurement, purchasing, or supply chain management, with a focus on strategic sourcing.
Demonstrated experience managing $10M–$20M in spend across various categories, including direct materials and capital expenditures.
Hands-on experience with procurement methodologies, ERP systems, and operational purchasing best practices.
Experience working with cross-functional teams to align purchasing activities with operational needs.
Preferred experience in the fire suppression, manufacturing, or construction materials industries.
Skills & Competencies:
Advanced proficiency in ERP systems (JD Edwards preferred) and Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a focus on strategic sourcing and cost management.
Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence supplier relationships and drive performance improvements.
Detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple tasks in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
Demonstrated ability to drive process improvements and cost reductions.
Six Sigma or similar continuous improvement training preferred.
Certifications:
APICS CPIM, CPM, or similar supply chain certification preferred.
OTHER QUALIFICATIONS:
• Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively across teams.
• Proven record of driving supplier compliance and managing performance metrics.
• Eagerness to learn and apply new procurement strategies in a fast-moving, high-volume environment.
• Strong organizational skills with an ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
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