Cascade Die Casting Group

Job Description

JOB TITLE: Buyer

CLASSIFICATION: Exempt

DIVISION/DEPARTMENT: Great Lakes

DATE DEVELOPED: 03/2024

REPORTS TO: Plant Level Manager

POSITION SCOPE

The Buyer is responsible for assisting in the management of sourcing, negotiation, and procurement of materials, components, and services to support manufacturing operations. This role ensures cost-effective purchasing while maintaining quality and company standards. The ideal candidate brings strong supplier management skills, a strategic mindset, and experience in a fast-paced, manufacturing environment. This position would report to Plant Level Management as well as take direction from the Director of Purchasing.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES

• Identify, evaluate, and select suppliers for raw materials, components, and services based on quality, cost, reliability, and service.
• Negotiate pricing, terms, and delivery schedules with vendors under the guided direction of leadership to achieve cost-effective purchasing while ensuring strategic alignment and compliance with organizational standards.
• Develop and implement sourcing strategies aligned with company goals, ensuring the timely availability of high-quality materials and services.
• Conduct regular supplier performance reviews, monitor on-time delivery, quality, and pricing, and resolve issues related to quality, delivery, or service. Initiate corrective actions when required.
• Place orders for goods and services needed to support operation of manufacturing facilities, and manage purchases versus budget to support company performance
• Collaborate with production teams to forecast material needs, ensure adequate stock levels, minimize stockouts, and avoid excess inventory while managing costs and ensuring materials meet production requirements.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams (Engineering, Production, Quality Assurance, R&D, Operations, and Finance) to understand material needs, align purchasing with business needs, resolve supply chain challenges, ensure smooth production workflows, and develop contingency plans for critical materials or suppliers.
• Monitor market trends, purchasing patterns, and conduct cost analysis to identify opportunities for cost savings and risk mitigation. Work with finance and operations teams to develop budgets and forecast material costs.
• Support cost-saving initiatives and continuous improvement efforts across the procurement function.
• Ensure all purchasing activities comply with company policies, ethical standards, and regulatory requirements. Maintain up-to-date records of supplier certifications and product specifications.
• Maintain accurate purchasing records and generate reports for management on purchasing activities, supplier performance, inventory levels, and cost savings initiatives.
• Process all monthly non-conforming products, including obtaining RMAs from suppliers and performing all transactions to relieve inventory.
• Discuss defective or unacceptable products with inspection or quality control personnel, users, vendors, and others to determine source of trouble and take corrective action.
• Participate in cross-functional projects related to procurement and supply chain optimization.
• Complies with all company employment policies, procedures/processes, and programs. Performs duties in compliance quality, safety, and manufacturing requirements.
• Build positive relationships and work cooperatively with associates in a team environment.
• Models and exemplifies Companies Core Values.
• Works required schedule based on business demands.
• Other duties as assigned from time-to-time.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential and additional duty and responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability also required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential and additional functions.

CERTIFICATION, EDUCATION, and WORK EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or related field preferred.
• Proficiency in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience with continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean Six Sigma, Kaizen events, etc. preferred.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Adaptability: ability to adjust to new circumstances, or change; is flexible; handles constructive feed-back, effectively.
• Communications: communicates both verbally and in writing effectively; listens; documents effectively.
• Dependability: ability to work independently and accepts accountability; stays focused; meets work demands; sets personal standards and meets commitments; is reliable, and trustworthy.
• Quality of Work: ability to focus on details and accuracy; looks for improvement in processes or procedures; owns/acts own quality issues; exhibits sound and accurate judgement and makes timely decisions.
• Strives for Results: manages work load; seeks additional responsibilities and generates innovative, cost-saving revenue generating ideas; manages priorities and time; plans and is organized; demonstrates enthusiasm and commitment to goals; is a good steward of company resources.
• Team Orientation/Ability to Work with Others: collaborates; cooperates; provides excellent customer service: both internal and external; teamwork.

PHYSICAL AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
Please note: Continuously (80%-100%), Frequently (21%-79%), Occasionally (up to 20%)

• Possess good physical stamina and coordination. Specific physical requirements of the position include the ability to continuously and repetitively:
  • Sit at a computer for prolonged periods of time.
  • Visual capabilities include close vision (clear at 20 inches or less), distance vision (clear at 20 feet or less), and color vision to identify and distinguish colors.
  • Use of fine motor skills that involve precise finger movements such as picking, pinching, typing, or similar activities.
  • Promptly detect and respond to visual and auditory safety instructions, alarms, and signals.
  • Effective communication skills, with the capability to interact and exchange information with others.
• Frequently and repetitively:
  • Walk or stand for prolonged periods of time.
  • Proficient manual dexterity, including the ability to handle, feel, grasp, and manipulate objects using the hands.
• Occasionally
  • Lift or carry materials weight up to 25 pounds.
  • Maintain balance and stability while performing job duties, including the ability to bend, push, pull, twist, kneel, crouch, and reach.
  • Wear personal protective equipment on plant floor, for example: safety glasses, gloves, hats, ear plugs, and steel-toed safety shoes while on the manufacturing floor.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the Associate to successfully perform the essential and additional duties and responsibilities of this position.

DISCLAIMER: The requirements listed above represent the essential knowledge, skill, ability and/or physical demands required. Additional or different requirements may exist in this role. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned.

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