Buyer

20805 Eaton Ave, Farmington, Minnesota 55024-7932

About the role

We’re Here to Move the World Forward. Valmont impacts millions of people around the world every day, yet they might not realize the many ways. Our technology is helping feed the growing population, supplying the world with more reliable energy and access to renewables, enhancing connectivity in remote and urban locations to create a sustainable future and so much more. Simply put, Valmont is advancing agricultural productivity and reimagining vital infrastructure to make life better. Join a Fortune 1000 company that respects hard work, honors diversity and invests in our employees as we focus on creating the world of tomorrow, today.

Responsibilities

• Make effective and timely decisions to resolve material shortages in production
• Achieve outstanding internal customer satisfaction and maintain relationships between the supply base and Valmont Industries, Inc.
• Ensure the timely delivery of purchased material for divisional production and related support functions consistent with divisional inventory policy
• Prepare Return Goods Orders and disposition of rejected material to closure
• Maintain a professional working relationship with suppliers, Engineers, Production Control, Marketing, Manufacturing, and other Purchasing personnel
• Develop a deeper understanding of production requirement data and how to properly respond to the stated requirements
• Resolve problems related to invoicing receipts, acknowledgements, material shortages, delinquencies, and certifications with vendors, divisional, and corporate personnel
• Coordinate Engineering Change Notices for items purchased affecting new or existing materials to ease transition and manage inventory levels
• Interpret MRP output to create purchase orders (P.O.) for assigned items and verify supplier receipt of the P.O.
• Expedite delivery of past due or moved-up purchase orders for specified suppliers – record any date revisions in system
• Assist Accounts Payable in timely credit/debit reconciliation
• Contact suppliers for PO confirmations, PO changes, to resolve shipment discrepancies, or process returns
• Participate in Lean initiative events such as inventory carrying costs, Kanban, consignment, floor stock
• Analyze delivery issues and adjust database as required for assigned items
• Assist Corporate Purchasing in supplier consolidation efforts
• Review purchasing standard work procedures for improvements to increase customer satisfaction and/or reduce cost
• Act as a backup for other Buyers

Requirements

• Preferred bachelor’s degree in relevant field or associate's degree with 3+ years relevant experience or 5+ years of relevant experience
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment, building relationships with all levels of employees
• Ability to organize and manage multiple, simultaneous priorities and meet aggressive deadlines
• Attention to detail and accuracy while working in a fast-paced environment with multiple deadlines
• Judgment and decision-making skills while comparing relative cost and benefit potential
• A strong working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Outlook

Qualifications

Highly Qualified Candidates Will Also Possess These Qualifications:

• Three (3) years of experience in a purchasing/supply chain role
• Six months of experience in a production/manufacturing environment or a material control role
• Previous experience in sales, operations, operations planning, master scheduling, production planning, inventory control, or production control within an MRP/ERP environment
• Professional work experience with contract management and negotiations
• Knowledge of customer service functions and shipping procedures
• APICS (C.P.I.M.) Certified Purchasing Manager or Certified Professional in Inventory Management Certification

Working Environment and Physical Efforts

• Work is typically performed in an office setting
• Regularly required to sit for extended periods of time, as well as talk and listen on the phone and in personal conversations or meetings
• Environment is fast-paced and demanding most of the time
• Frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms while working in the office with various files and forms and while working on the computer
• Occasionally required to move about the office
• Must utilize proper ergonomic safeguards such as monitor height and positions, keyboard location and height, and proper wrists rests
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds in working with large files, binders, and computer equipment
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception
• Valid US driver’s license and ability to travel by plane as required by the job

Computer Software: MS Word, MS Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Workday, ADP

Pay

This position pays between $55,300 to $69,000 per year depending on experience and education.

Benefits

Valmont offers employees and their families a comprehensive Total Wellbeing benefit package to ensure their individual and family’s overall wellness needs are met. Some offerings are dependent upon the role, work schedule, or location and can include the following:

• Healthcare (medical, prescription drugs, dental, and vision)
• 401k retirement plan with company match
• Paid time off
• Employer paid life insurance
• Employer paid short-term and long-term disability including maternity leave
• Work Life Support
• Tuition Reimbursement up to $5,250 per year
• Voluntary programs like tobacco cessation, Type 2 diabetes reversal, one-on-one health coaching, mortgage services, and more