Buyer

About the Role

Purchases raw materials, parts, assemblies, equipment, supplies, and services at the most favorable price consistent with quality, quantity, delivery, and other factors.

Responsibilities

• Places purchase orders for production, non-production, and service items with approved suppliers.
• Initiates procurement strategies with suppliers, including blanket POs, pricing discounts based on total dollar volume, and long-term contract agreements (LTAs).
• Establishes strong relationships with key suppliers through regularly scheduled meetings, teleconferences, or visits.
• Issues requests for quotations to suppliers on new parts and established parts to get competitive bids and updated pricing and delivery schedules.
• Negotiates with suppliers to achieve price reductions and maintains a record of cost reduction achievements.
• Reviews open order status and provides detailed follow-up to ensure on-time delivery of goods to requested purchase order dates.
• Resolves supplier billing discrepancies.
• Works with the receiving department and quality assurance department to resolve orders with documentation and quality discrepancies.

Qualifications

• High School graduate or equivalent; Associate's degree (A.A.) in business from a college or university preferred.
• 1-2 years of experience as an industrial manufacturing buyer.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Proficiency in Internet software, order processing systems, and Microsoft products (Excel, Word, & PowerPoint).
• Ability to interface with all levels of the organization to complete assigned work.
• Ability to use sound judgment and decision-making when considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions.
• Ability to prioritize projects and deadlines and manage time effectively.

Physical Demands

The employee is frequently required to walk, stand, sit, use hands to finger, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, talk, or hear. Occasionally, the employee must lift and/or move up to 35 pounds.

Work Environment

The employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time and works in an air-conditioned and heated office. The noise level is moderate. Occasional visits to the shop floor may expose the employee to loud noise and fumes. The employee is expected to adhere to all company policies.