What are the responsibilities and job description for the Buyer position at Intelligent Manufacturing Solutions (IMS)?
Description
JOB SUMMARY
The Buyer is responsible for executing and managing purchasing activities of moderate scope within a regulated, high-volume, low-mix military manufacturing environment. This role develops professional procurement expertise by applying company policies, procedures, and guidelines to resolve a variety of purchasing issues. The Buyer exercises judgment within defined practices, analyzes multiple factors to determine appropriate courses of action, and modifies processes or methods as required to support operational, cost, and schedule objectives. The Purchasing / Procurement focus specializes in the acquisition and delivery of raw materials, components and parts that together form the “end product”. Includes acquisition of goods at the right time, quantity, quality, and cost. This role includes ensuring the availability of materials in the supply chain, as scheduled, and the maintenance of inventory at minimum acceptable levels. Responsible for sourcing and supplying raw materials, utilities and outside services, as well coordinating global procurement efforts. Coordinates with finance / accounting on matters involving inventory-carrying costs. Reviews and plans requirements for acceptable inventory. May assist with the establishment and maintenance of the production control system. May work with customers in auditing customer inventory levels and with internal and external vendors to comply with inventory policies.
COMPLEXITY & PROBLEM SOLVING
Works on problems of moderate scope which are often varied and routine where analysis of situations or data requires a review of a variety of factors. Exercises judgment within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate action. Applies learned techniques and contribute to analysis and investigation to solve problems. Normally receives little instruction on day-to-day work, general instructions on new assignments. Role may lead into working on problems of diverse scope where analysis of information requires evaluation of identifiable factors. Devises solutions based on limited information and precedents and adapts existing approaches to resolve issues. Uses evaluation, judgment, and interpretation to select right course of action. Work is done independently and is reviewed at critical points.
COLLABORATION & INTERACTION
Builds productive internal/external working relationships to resolve mutual problems by collaborating on procedures or transactions. Focuses on providing standard professional advice and creating initial reports/analysis for review by experienced team professionals. This role may lead into enhancing relationships and networks with senior internal/external partners who are not familiar with the subject matter often requiring persuasion. Adapts style to differing audiences and often advises others on difficult matters.
Key Responsibilities
Purchasing & Supplier Management
EDUCATION/ EXPERIENCE
This role prefers a bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 2-4 years of related experience or experience and education combination; or an advanced degree without experience; or equivalent work experience.
Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
JOB SUMMARY
The Buyer is responsible for executing and managing purchasing activities of moderate scope within a regulated, high-volume, low-mix military manufacturing environment. This role develops professional procurement expertise by applying company policies, procedures, and guidelines to resolve a variety of purchasing issues. The Buyer exercises judgment within defined practices, analyzes multiple factors to determine appropriate courses of action, and modifies processes or methods as required to support operational, cost, and schedule objectives. The Purchasing / Procurement focus specializes in the acquisition and delivery of raw materials, components and parts that together form the “end product”. Includes acquisition of goods at the right time, quantity, quality, and cost. This role includes ensuring the availability of materials in the supply chain, as scheduled, and the maintenance of inventory at minimum acceptable levels. Responsible for sourcing and supplying raw materials, utilities and outside services, as well coordinating global procurement efforts. Coordinates with finance / accounting on matters involving inventory-carrying costs. Reviews and plans requirements for acceptable inventory. May assist with the establishment and maintenance of the production control system. May work with customers in auditing customer inventory levels and with internal and external vendors to comply with inventory policies.
COMPLEXITY & PROBLEM SOLVING
Works on problems of moderate scope which are often varied and routine where analysis of situations or data requires a review of a variety of factors. Exercises judgment within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate action. Applies learned techniques and contribute to analysis and investigation to solve problems. Normally receives little instruction on day-to-day work, general instructions on new assignments. Role may lead into working on problems of diverse scope where analysis of information requires evaluation of identifiable factors. Devises solutions based on limited information and precedents and adapts existing approaches to resolve issues. Uses evaluation, judgment, and interpretation to select right course of action. Work is done independently and is reviewed at critical points.
COLLABORATION & INTERACTION
Builds productive internal/external working relationships to resolve mutual problems by collaborating on procedures or transactions. Focuses on providing standard professional advice and creating initial reports/analysis for review by experienced team professionals. This role may lead into enhancing relationships and networks with senior internal/external partners who are not familiar with the subject matter often requiring persuasion. Adapts style to differing audiences and often advises others on difficult matters.
Key Responsibilities
Purchasing & Supplier Management
- Manage purchasing activities for assigned commodities, programs, or suppliers in accordance with company policies, contracts, and military/defense compliance requirements.
- Determine appropriate procurement actions based on guidelines, modifying methods or processes as needed to address changing requirements.
- Place, manage, and adjust purchase orders to support production schedules in a high-volume, low-mix manufacturing environment.
- Monitor supplier performance, including delivery, quality, and responsiveness, and work collaboratively to resolve routine and moderately complex issues.
- Address problems of moderate scope that are varied and routine, requiring analysis of situations or data across multiple factors (cost, lead time, quality, schedule).
- Apply learned procurement techniques and contribute to analysis and investigation to identify root causes and implement solutions.
- Exercise judgment within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate actions and escalate issues when necessary.
- Support cost control and continuous improvement initiatives through informed purchasing decisions and supplier engagement.
- Maintain awareness of budget, pricing, lead times, and service-level requirements.
- Identify potential supply risks and support mitigation efforts in collaboration with planning, quality, and engineering teams.
- Build productive internal working relationships with planning, production, engineering, quality, and finance to resolve mutual supply chain issues.
- Develop effective external relationships with suppliers to collaborate on transactions, delivery performance, and issue resolution.
- Provide standard professional advice to internal stakeholders related to procurement status, constraints, and options.
- Prepare initial reports, analyses, and purchasing data for review by senior or more experienced procurement professionals.
- Ensure accurate documentation and system data to support traceability, audits, and compliance with military and quality requirements.
- Developing expertise in procurement and supply chain management
- Ability to analyze routine and moderately complex problems involving multiple variables
- Sound judgment within established procedures and guidelines
- Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills
- Effective written and verbal communication
- Attention to detail and disciplined documentation practices
- Ability to work independently with minimal instruction on day-to-day tasks
EDUCATION/ EXPERIENCE
This role prefers a bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 2-4 years of related experience or experience and education combination; or an advanced degree without experience; or equivalent work experience.
Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.