Senior Buyer

Job Summary:  

Resolve critical production and customer service requirements with procurement plans for raw materials and sub-assemblies while developing and  strengthening supplier relationships and managing the purchase order processes.   Lead and participate in assigned cross-functional projects to improve purchasing and supply chain related processes.

This position requires current and valid U.S. work authorization. We are unable to sponsor visas now or in the future for this role.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work closely with operations, estimating, sourcing, and planning teams to identify, measure, and document process improvements.
• Communicate material issues and identify cost improvement opportunities. 
• Participate and lead teams to drive lead time reduction, maintain target inventory levels, reduce costs, and facilitate supplier material/process changes.  
• Monitor freight cost, customer/supplier contract adherence, RFQ analysis, and supplier performance through metric reporting and participation at quarterly business reviews.
• Initiate  and recommend requoting costs or new delivery dates to customer when purchase material availability or pricing changes significantly.      

• Interpret and execute raw materials and sub-assembly purchases according to demand.
• Manage material requirements to meet build plans and communicate potential line down threats, escalating when necessary for immediate recovery.
• Communicate promptly with production scheduling and customer service regarding any supplier schedule or quality disruptions and corresponding recovery plans.
• Analyze information from multiple suppliers to optimize buying power by consolidating procurement wherever possible, ensuring multiple suppliers are equally qualified within SMC.
• Work closely with production planning teams to ensure execution of material expedites, postponements, or cancellations required to meet customer order/schedule changes. 
• Understand contractual agreements to ensure SMC and supplier requirements are properly executed.
• Negotiate constantly to push work back onto suppliers for lower cost, faster service, better quality, and improved relationships.
• Establish and maintain inventory levels in accordance to supply constraints, demand plans, and business targets.  
• Complete non-conformance (RMA) activities.  
• Assist Quality Assurance with customer complaints, returns, and credits.
• Participate in supplier Quarterly Business Reviews.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Essential Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business or other related discipline and two years’ of buying experience or an Associate or Technical degree in business or related field  and six years related experience.
• Experience with ISO procedures and practices.
• Demonstrated effective negotiation skills.
• Microsoft Office experience (Excel, Word and PowerPoint).
• Previous ERP experience.
• Ability to perform basic math and job cost analysis computations.
• Ability to work in fast-paced environment and to prioritize and manage multiple tasks.
• Demonstrated effective interpersonal and communication skills.

Desirable Qualifications

• CPSM (Certified Professional in Supply Management) Certification. 
• Previous IQMS experience.

Physical Requirements

• Typically requires extended periods of sitting, often at a desk or workstation.
• Occasional brief periods of standing and/or walking to use shared office equipment (e.g., printers, copiers) or for meetings, breaks or collaboration with other staff.
• May involve occasional navigation of stairs or elevators.
• Extensive use of keyboards and computer aids using frequent wrist and finger motions.
• Significant time spent viewing computer screens and focusing on detailed work for extended periods.
• Reading, reviewing, or editing physical and digital documents.
• Occasional reaching, stretching, bending, squatting, kneeling, twisting, or turning to access items at a desk or workstation.
• Occasionally lifting, carrying, or moving office supplies, laptops, or documents (typically under 20 pounds.
• Proficient in reading, writing, and communicating in English.
• Ability to hear and/or see alarms or notifications in the environment.

#IND

#LI-HN1