Associate Buyer

About the role

The Associate Buyer role within Rehlko is part of the Procurement team. This role is responsible for initiating contact with suppliers to obtain products that meet Rehlko's specifications, developing an efficient supply base, and managing supplier relationships.

Responsibilities

• Initiate contact with a wide variety of suppliers to obtain products that meet Rehlko specifications.
• Evaluate total cost of ownership, availability, lead time, and quality to secure a competitive advantage for Rehlko and its customers.
• Create and maintain an efficient and effective supplier relationship with the supply base.
• Drive supplier performance and provide assistance to material schedulers when needed to support supplier delivery performance.
• Develop and maintain an efficient supply base capable of achieving Divisional goals of quality, delivery, and pricing through supplier visits, trade shows, personal interviews, telephone, and written correspondence both nationally and globally.
• Actively initiate cost reduction programs and work with suppliers, Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and Materials functions for successful implementation.
• Provide solutions, alternatives, and ideas to improve commodity group.
• Knowledge of leading-edge trends in market and industry, taking initiative to undertake improvement opportunities.
• Sets spend-level strategies for business unit.
• Skilled in identifying and implementing continuous improvement opportunities within the company and the supply base.
• Leverage knowledge of the industry and how the supply base can influence Rehlko products including changes in technology, product validation, and global factors affecting component availability.
• Request and review quotations for new and existing components.
• Consult with Engineering and Supplier Quality regarding specification deviations.
• Recommend alternative materials or methods based on knowledge of market availability.
• Manage New Product Development projects within the Associate Buyers category responsibility.
• Work with the Materials Department and Suppliers to develop and maintain production and support inventory programs.
• Use sound decision making principles in conducting business which affects price variance, inventory levels, and quality levels.
• Write, analyze, and issue various weekly, monthly, and annual reports and status updates.
• Establish and maintain supplier stocking programs.
• Maintain standard cost files.
• Review all Engineering Notifications and drawings covering areas of responsibility.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited Supply Chain, Business, or Engineering Program or bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Manufacturing background a plus.

Qualifications

• Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.

Skills

• Knowledge of leading-edge trends in market and industry.
• Ability to drive supplier performance.
• Ability to manage supplier relationships.
• Ability to implement continuous improvement opportunities.
• Ability to consult with Engineering and Supplier Quality.
• Ability to recommend alternative materials or methods.
• Ability to manage New Product Development projects.
• Ability to write, analyze, and issue reports.
• Ability to establish and maintain supplier stocking programs.
• Ability to review Engineering Notifications and drawings.

Benefits

At Rehlko, we offer a competitive salary, health, vision, dental, 401(k) with Rehlko matching, and more. We also provide a benefits package that includes a competitive salary, health, vision, dental, 401(k) with Rehlko matching, and more.

Pay

The specific Salary rate offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors including the candidate’s experience, their education, and the work location. The Salary range for this position is $56,900.00-$71,100.00.

Schedule

This is a hybrid role based in Kohler, Wisconsin, requiring on-site work 2–3 days per week.