REPORTS TO: Category Procurement Lead SUPERVISES: N/A GENERAL SUMMARY: Ensures purchased plant material, supplies, equipment and tooling needs and requirements are met while maintaining a high level of customer service. Incumbent will conduct the day to day responsibilities for a buying desk, assuring continuous availability of supplied components to meet future demand for globally used parts. Transactions at this level will be variable from routine to the more advanced, involve higher dollar values and greater levels of risk with moderate to heavy volume and may involve a more advanced commodity. DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES: Issues advanced purchase orders $15M in value, in a timely manner for raw materials, parts, subassemblies, finished goods, MRO materials, equipment, tooling, supplies and/or services from suppliers via purchase requisitions or MRP messages. Follows up with requestors and end users regarding purchase order due dates and status when inquiries are made or are past the delivery date. Follows traffic and logistics guidelines and minimizes the use of expedited shipping services where/when possible. Ensures purchase orders are placed in compliance with CPSR requirements Follows all supply chain policies, procedures, guidelines and instructions including those regarding the procurement of materials and particularly the ability to maintain confidentiality in regard to all purchasing or commodity strategies (and in some cases, within the supply chain function exclusively). Runs and maintains the buying desk’s purchase requisition or MRP open order, expedite, de-expedite, and past due reports and ensures MRP/IFS system is updated accordingly. Maintains on time deliverables i.e... milestones and SDRL’s Additional order management i.e. foreign exchange; ingot rate; two tier supplier set up Works in cooperation with material planning, production planning and logistics to reduce part inventory, obsolete and slow moving materials and handle schedule changes. Strives to increase understanding of the services, material and manufacturing processes associated with the assigned buying desk. Responsible for supporting related departments with the resolution of supplier invoice discrepancies and non-conforming material, requisition issues etc. Represents the supplier inside Austal. Maintains close communication with supplier account and customer service personnel, and management as needed, to minimize risk due to supplier capacity issues, plant shutdowns, and other day to day disruptions that may affect Austal and/or open purchase orders. Assists with supplier metrics and advising suppliers of their performance. Maintains professional relationships with suppliers on the assigned buying desk. Provides input on commodity strategies and related projects. Reviews statements of work when required. Purchases in both MRP and project/purchase requisition oriented type environments under Contractor Purchasing System Review guidelines. Assists other Buyers when required. Participates in plant continuous improvement, Lean Manufacturing, 5S, and other initiatives involving the Supply Chain function or assigned buying desk when appropriate. Is the main contact point for outside departments (e.g., Engineering, Accounting, etc.), as well as, suppliers. Participates in price book activities. Other duties as assigned. Complies with Austal’s employee handbook general guidelines, company procedures and policies. QUALIFICATIONS/KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE: Bachelor’s Degree required, Degree in Business, Supply Chain or Material Management preferred. 8 years purchasing experience may be considered in lieu of degree 4 years’ purchasing experience required Experience leading shipboard work related projects required. Possess willingness and ability to work independently with limited or no supervision and take initiative in all aspects of the position duties required. Intermediate level skills in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Power Point), Internet Explorer and Outlook required. Intermediate to expert level understanding of the material, services and manufacturing processes associated with the assigned buying desk required. Demonstrated ability to adhere to deadlines, handle multiple priorities and manage high volume purchasing activity with confidence required. General understanding of the Uniform Commercial Code, U.S. Government FAR, DFARS and ITAR requirements required. General understanding of enterprise quality system functionality (e.g., ISO 9000, AS9100, TS16949, etc.) required. Contractor Purchasing System Review experience within U.S. defense environment preferred. Certifications preferred: A.P.P., C.P.M., CPSM, CSCP, CPIM. New hires are required to successfully complete Austal Buyer III Certification within the first 90 days of hire. Incumbent individuals are required to complete the requisite courses required to be eligible for promotion to the corresponding levels. Access database skills preferred. Additional preferred work experience: Quoting, analyzing, negotiating, reporting and purchase order placement for material and services. Supplier rationalization activities (adding/removing suppliers and familiarity with Approved Supplier Lists, Bid Lists, and small business requirements); Order follow- up activities (expediting, de-expediting and statusing); Use of ERP/MRP systems and logic such as IFS, BAAN, SAP, JD Edwards and Oracle with IFS as first preference. Discrepancy resolution activities such as invoice discrepancies, non-conforming material cases and repair/rework material authorizations; Data mining and market analysis; Dealing with traffic, routing instructions, and interaction with the laws governing direct a indirect purchasing. Reading blueprints/drawings, interpret specifications and review statements of work. ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES: All candidates must meet Austal USA’s basic employment eligibility guidelines: The ability to obtain and maintain a DoD clearance may be required if deemed necessary in the scope of your position responsibilities. 18 years or older at time of application Able to provide proof of US Person status (permanent resident or citizen) No felony convictions of theft/deception or violent crimes within seven years from disposition date No felony convictions of drug crimes within three years from disposition date Willing to submit to a drug screen Willing to submit to a background check DIRECTION EXERCISED: May provide training and guidance for Buyer I and Buyer II team members. DISCRETION EXERCISED: Relies on experience, education and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Incumbent will be expected to demonstrate creativity and latitude in order to meet goals and objectives established. Will require the capacity to self-direct and reprioritize activity in order to support business needs and meet deadlines. LIAISES WITH: Company- Other Buyers, Sr. Procurement Manager, Strategic Sourcing Specialist, Strategic Sourcing Manager, Sr. Director Supply Chain and Logistics, Senior Management, Materials Program Managers, Material program staff, Senior Logistics Manager, Traffic Lead, Compliance Coordinator (Supply Chain), document control and other administrative department personnel. External- Suppliers TOOLS: Basic office machines, PC, copier\scanner, etc. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Must be able to tour all vessels and work sites at Austal USA. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to manipulate, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee will also be required to sit for extended periods of time in an office setting. Specific physical requirements include the following: Must have the occasional ability to bend, squat, stoop, crawl, and kneel. Perform prolonged standing. Ability to turn head from side to side and about the vertical axis. Ability to turn body at the waist from side to side and about the vertical axis. Lift/push/pull up to 20lbs on an occasional basis. Must have the ability to occasionally climb in an unrestrained safe manner (climbing as a minimum includes stairs, scaffolding, ladders, and ramps). Demonstrate good balance while working on uneven surfaces and maneuvering obstacles. Ability to utilize personal protective equipment (hard hat, safety glasses, steel-toes shoes, etc.) safely per OSHA standards. Ability to enter into confined spaces within the ships under construction (any space below main deck could be considered a confined space). Able to respond to verbal and audible sounds/commands. Able to utilize adequate visual skills. Able to hear emergency alarm systems and be able to wear authorized hearing protection. Must be able to walk 100 yards at a time without assistance. WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to humid conditions, bright flashing lights, moving mechanical parts, high precarious places, outside weather conditions, and extreme heat. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes and/or airborne particles at or below the PEL, toxic or caustic chemicals, and heat and cold. The noise level in the work environment is usually very loud, 90 dB. SAFETY Must comply with company, federal, state, and local safety and environmental rules and regulations while performing daily job tasks. Equal Employment Commitment Any qualified individual with a disability who is having difficulty in completing an application because of incompatible technology or other disability-related application issues may contact us at the following phone number for assistance: 251-445-1932. Austal shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR §§ 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin. Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status or disability. Austal’s commitment to equal employment opportunity applies at all levels of employment, in all job titles, including the executive level, and to all employment actions, including but not limited to decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, training, and promotion. Austal USA is a ship manufacturer headquartered in Mobile, Ala., with service centers in San Diego and Singapore and a technology center in Charlottesville, Va. With the most modern steel panel line in the shipbuilding industry, Austal USA’s facility is capable of supporting the manufacture of both aluminum and steel ships. Austal USA leverages a moving module production line and strict adherence to lean manufacturing principles to consistently deliver on-schedule and on-budget. Austal USA is currently under contract for several programs, including the U.S. Coast Guard’s Heritage-class Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC), the TAGOS-25 ocean surveillance ships, the Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF), the Navajo-class Towing, Salvage and Rescue ships (T-ATS), the Expeditionary Medical Ship (EMS), the Auxiliary Floating Dry Dock Medium (AFDM), and the Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), and is supporting Navy unmanned vessel programs leveraging its advanced machinery control system. Austal USA’s service business provides global support to U.S. Navy, Military Sealift Command and other customers. Austal USA’s San Diego Service Center includes a waterfront facility that will have the capability to drydock small combatants and similar sized ships. Earning 23 safety excellence awards, Austal USA continues to be one of the safest shipyards in America.