Buyer

Suncast Corporation is the leading US-based designer, manufacturer, and distributor of high-quality resin products for the home and industrial markets. A privately held company headquartered in Western Chicago, Illinois, Suncast prides itself on 35 years of innovation and sustainability across a wide range of product categories with materials proudly sourced in the USA. Everything we do is supported by the strength and ingenuity of American workers and we are committed to helping families across the country make the most of their unique spaces. We utilize state-of-the-art machinery and innovative manufacturing techniques to consistently engineer products of the highest possible quality.

The Buyer is responsible for negotiating the costs of materials, equipment, and supplies from vendors, both domestic and import. The Buyer is responsible for purchasing these items, which are then used in the production of Suncast components and finished goods. This employee is also responsible for purchasing non-inventory items and supplies in addition to inventory items. This employee will evaluate vendor’s ability to manufacture the product meeting all production date, quality, and cost specifications.

Responsibilities:

The following duties are considered essential to this position. Other responsibilities may be assigned.

• Request bids from vendors for assigned products. Select vendor based on ability to supply quality, delivery, service level (including on-time delivery), and lowest total cost.
• Assist with MRO (non-inventory items, including office and plant supplies) purchases as needed.
• Provide the vendor with purchase orders, payment terms, and all other necessary documentation for production.
• Work closely with scheduling, receiving, and production to ensure that the correct purchases are being made and released based on the current plan. Be able to respond quickly and efficiently to changes in planned production.
• Monitor and track inventory levels of assigned product lines. Ensure that required items are available when needed. Expedite orders when necessary.
• Understand and use the materials resource planning (MRP) system to schedule purchases and deliveries.
• Assist with updates to New Product Meeting agenda to document progress on new items for other departments.
• Work with vendors and warehousing to order optimum lot sizes. This will include considering issues such as volume discounts, warehouse costs, and storage space.
• Plan for lead times with production. Work with vendors to reduce lead times.
• Contact vendors concerning discrepancies in quality, quantity, price, and delivery (service).
• Maintain lean inventory levels to reduce carrying costs.
• Work with freight forwarders and custom brokers to ensure that product will arrive at Suncast when specified.
• Assists in the HTS classification of import components and finished goods.
• Explore new, more cost effective methods and alternate products for assigned inventory. Submit proposed changes to engineering, marketing, and quality assurance for approval. Achieve cost reductions on an ongoing basis.
• Negotiate with suppliers to ensure the lowest possible total cost.
• Ensure that all Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are requested with products when it is ordered in accordance with safety regulations. Ensure that the MSDS are forwarded to the correct departments in accordance with company policy.
• Create and approve quality test plans used for inspecting products. Ensure that the test plans are being used correctly and at the necessary increments.
• Coordinate 3rd party certification and testing requirements such as UL, WGP (Wal-Mart), MTL (Costco, Target)
• Project a professional and helpful attitude to all contacts. This includes Suncast employees, outside vendors, and contractors.
• Stay informed of new technology, methods, and materials for this position.
• Support and comply with all Suncast safety policies, quality standards, and housekeeping methods at all times. Suncast policies have been developed to ensure compliance with employee law.

Qualifications:

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

• 2 Year degree in related field is required, or equivalent experience.
• Strong understanding of inventory management, inventory control, MRP, and JIT (just in time).
• Experience sourcing and procuring product from manufacturers located in Mexico strongly preferred.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
• Superb communication skills
• Bilingual English/Spanish a plus.
• Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or other engineering form is desirable. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills are vital in this position.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite including Excel, Word, and similar programs. Ability to set up new files using appropriate formats and features such as tables, formulas, and graphs. He or she must be able to enter data in existing databases. AS400 and experience with Windows-based programs is a plus. Experience with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, such as iVP, is extremely helpful.

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 these duties, the employee will spend most of his or her time in an office environment. However, Suncast is a manufacturer, and it will be necessary to enter the manufacturing area to complete some tasks and to enter some office areas. Typically, offices are climate controlled and have a moderate noise level for an office. Manufacturing areas are subject to seasonal variations in temperature and humidity.

Noise level is generally moderate for manufacturing. Safety equipment is required when in manufacturing areas.

The Anticipated Pay Range for This Position: $60,000-$75,000 annually.

Suncast offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Telehealth benefits
• Life insurance
• 401K with employer match
• Paid vacation time off
• Paid parental leave
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) & Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) for health and dependent care
• Paid Parental Leave (maternity & paternity)
• Educational Assistance Program
• Tuition Reimbursement