Buyer/Expeditor

Troy Design and Manufacturing is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ford Motor Company. At TDM, we use 21st Century manufacturing processes such as 3D design and printing, laser cutting, and automation for prototype and low volume manufacturing of components of current and future Ford vehicles. At our Chicago Modification Center facility, we do state of the art vehicle modifications for multiple police interceptor platforms. 

We are currently seeking a Buyer.  

PRIMARY PURPOSE: 

Responsible for procuring certain necessary materials, services, and supplies needed for the operation of the company. Also responsible for placing purchase orders and expediting for non-technical and technical items required in production, maintenance, and general use.  Supports requisitioners in entering requisitions and follow-through on purchase orders.

 MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

 I. Requisition & Purchase Order Management:

• Review requisitions meticulously for required information and documents, ensuring thorough knowledge of company policies, Global Terms and Conditions, and TDM Approval Authorities.
• Create and issue purchase orders for approved requisitions, ensuring accuracy and proper verbiage regarding terms, taxes, and quantities.
• Process credit card orders for approved requisitions and monitor credit card usage, informing requisitioners of monthly limits.
• Run and send daily requisition lists requiring CFO approval, facilitating their timely review.
• Update PO promise dates as requested to maintain delivery accuracy.
• Monitor Open Purchase Orders across all systems and collaborate with requisitioners for necessity. 
• Participate in the annual PO process, ensuring requisitions are correctly written, quoted, and suppliers can access the Aurora portal.

 II. Supplier Relationship & ERP System Management:

• Actively follow up on supplier invoicing and requisitioner receiving in Aurora to ensure on-time payments.
• Provide comprehensive support within ERP systems (e.g., Aurora, M2M), including:
  • Ensuring suppliers have valid GSDB codes and meet ERP requirements.
  • Creating Purchase Requisitions (PRs) for all parts.
  • Creating and submitting RFPs with accurate APW, MPW, and FPV data.
  • Evaluating RFP replies and generating POs.
  • Ensuring suppliers have proper ERP access to view POs and invoice as needed.
• Resolve complex invoicing issues in Aurora when suppliers deviate from correct processes.
• Issue New Supplier/Change Supplier or any other necessary Forms/Requests for accurate system integration.
• Contacts references of suppliers to ensure validity of organization. 
• Provide suppliers with self-help guides for all systems and offer direct guidance when issues arise.
• Assist with the negotiation of purchase agreements, focusing on quality, delivery, and best price.
• Develop and maintain procurement sources for assigned materials, fostering continuous contact.
• Update vendor performance records regularly.

III. Cost Analysis & Inventory Control:

• Obtain and analyze quotations on non-standard items, continually auditing prices of standard materials and supplies.
• Create both basic and intermediate level cost analyses of received quotes based on need, presenting information clearly for auditing purposes.
• Make substitution recommendations to realize cost savings or improve delivery, utilizing Excel, PowerPoint, and Word for analysis and presentation.
• Track and place orders for supply crib inventory items, proficiently using the purchasing queue.
• Place gas orders three times a week to prevent plant disruptions.
• Complete freight rate analysis and send them to suppliers as needed.

IV. Compliance, Controls & Documentation:

• Process Vendor Service Requests (VSRs).
• Review 5 WHYs for accuracy.
• Complete MCRP Internal Controls Testing to ensure adherence to internal processes.
• Review Inventory Add Ons DocuSigns for quoting accuracy and policy compliance.
• Complete pull ahead payment forms with detailed reasoning for the occurrence. 
• Update desk procedures as requested for accuracy.
• Ensure POs are issued in a supplier’s local currency unless deviations are approved.
• Ensure POs are issued with TDM payment terms unless deviations are approved.
• Write payment and terms deviation requests, routing them via DocuSign for management concurrence.
• Document Unauthorized Commitments, addressing non-compliance and submitting documentation via DocuSign for management concurrence.
• Keep ISO certificates current.

 V. Training & Reporting:

• Train employees on entering EREQs, Aurora orders and Purchasing IT tickets.
• Run the CMC weekly and monthly reports for Quality.
• Utilize intermediate ability to run reports in M2M and Aurora.
• Reconcile FAB cards and submit data to Finance as needed.
• Utilize the CASS system for shipment invoices.
• Review scrap reports and complete data as needed.

VI. Collaborative Support & Expediting:

• Actively participate in expediting functions to ensure timely delivery of materials.
• Assist other departments with inquiries regarding deliveries, material availability, terms, specifications, quotations, and costs.
• Intermediate to strong understanding of incoterms and which Ford approves.
  • Reaches out to requisitioners to confirm validity of incoterms selected.

 VII. General Requirements:

• Complete all required HR, Safety, and Integrity Trainings.
• Perform other duties as required or requested. See Attachment A for additional skills/knowledge requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS:

MINIMUM REQUIRED: 

• Min. 4 years' experience in purchasing or related position.  
• Skill level normally associated with 4 years of college with a bachelor’s degree in business. 
• Intermediate to Advanced MS Excel Skills
• Intermediate to Advanced Skills with current ERP system.
• Knowledge of TDM policies and Ford Global Terms and Conditions.
• Skills and completed training as outlined in Attachment A.  

PREFERRED:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Material Management or related field and 5 years' work experience in related field preferred.   
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office, especially Excel. 
• Experience in Made 2 Manage program.
• Experience with Aurora ERP. 

BENEFITS:

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life and Disability Insurance
• 401K with company match
• Paid Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Reimbursement Program