Buyer

Responsible for procurement of materials needed to support Diagnostics operations. Combines the use of Material Requirements Planning (MRP) with independent data analysis to confirm orders to approved suppliers and schedule deliveries. Collaborates with Planning and Manufacturing to ensure continuity-of-supply. Upholds the Quality standards by following the procedures guiding Procurement practices. Manages supplier relationships through regular communication to discuss open orders, forecasts, and resolve supplier metrics below standard (delivery, quality, cost). Reviews purchase price variances and identifies standard pricing on an annual basis.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensure and promote compliance to Company and Procurement policies and procedures including the use of Approved Suppliers and procurement of materials that meet specification.

• Create and manage purchase orders in Oracle with suppliers for the procurement of approved material components or services, as required by Material Requirements Planning

• Manage communication and relationships with suppliers through delivery of forecasts, quarterly business review meetings, resolution of quality complaints, and management of open orders.

• Drive increased value from current suppliers through implementation of local inventories or consolidation of shipments

• Negotiate costs with suppliers and report monthly to Finance on Purchase Price Variances

• Proactively report material constraints and participate in contingency plan and sourcing of alternates

• Monitor status of open purchase orders, and expedite/defer as needed to ensure on-time delivery

• Determine and establish optimal inventory levels based on forecast, demand variation and material lead times

• Review and approve the movement of components across the organization and to global locations.

• Manage and resolve invoice discrepancies

• Setup & maintain ERP Item parameters (re-order level, lead time, safety stocks)

• Participate in project teams with internal customers (Engineering, Quality, Production, R&D, and Distribution) and provide excellent customer service to requestors.

Qualifications:

• Strong sense of urgency & attention to detail

• Excellent organization and interpersonal communication skills

• Ability to self-direct

• Strong analytical and reporting

• Effective negotiation skills

• Strong interpersonal and communications skills (oral & written)

• Self-starter with ability to work independently under pressure and react quickly to changing priorities