Buyer I

About the role

The Buyer will utilize their procurement skills to source, qualify, and develop new and existing suppliers across assigned commodities. They are expected to be proficient in learning and navigating ERP systems, managing supplier relationships with a focus on on-time delivery, quality, and cost performance, and maintaining a customer service attitude to support production, capital projects, and new sales opportunities, such as development, design, and NPI.

Essential Responsibilities

• Create, implement, and maintain strategic sourcing strategies and tactical purchasing for assigned commodity portfolio, with a focus on new products introduction and capital purchasing for operations, manufacturing engineering, and facilities-focused improvements.
• Work as part of the new product introduction (NPI) team to understand the scope and needs of each new product while working with production, engineering, and vendors to gather all data (costing, lead times, terms, make vs buy analysis, technical docs, etc.) necessary for a successful new product launch.
• Evaluate vendor quotes and prepare structured business award recommendations to internal stakeholders.
• Purchase and negotiate price, lead time, and net terms for assigned commodities.
• Identify and execute areas of opportunity to reduce costs and inventory by negotiating favorable business/service agreements with suppliers (consignment/VMI), value engineering, or purchase price variance.
• Negotiate and manage cost models for suppliers (price, volume discounts, commodity cost forecasts and cost drivers, etc.).
• Collaborate with Quality to capture appropriate performance measurements (Quality, Cost and Delivery) of supply base and provide timely feedback to assigned suppliers.
• Continuously improve vendor and commodity knowledge by visiting current and prospective suppliers.
• Work with Accounts Payable and vendors to ensure on-time payments aligned to project plan, agreed statement of work, or traditional 3-way match depending on purchase order type.
• Enter Procurement orders into the MRP system and work with suppliers to change dates (expedite or push out) as required.
• Work with vendors and Finance to clear up any issues with invoices to avoid interruptions with material supply.
• Perform corrective actions with suppliers as required to ensure they are meeting delivery on time and quality goals.

Position Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree (Business, Operations, Supply Management or Engineering) preferred or equivalent experience.
• 3+ years of experience in Procurement, Administrative, or Supply Chain Management preferred, with alternate backgrounds in Engineering, Manufacturing Operations or Start-Up environment considered.
• Very strong Excel skills and be able to perform V lookups and create complex pivot tables, charts, and graphs at a minimum.
• Must have an ability to read and understand technical documents and engineering drawings.
• Strong negotiation, oral and written communication skills, excellent analytical, planning, and process development skills, strong business judgement, and high level of initiative are all required.
• Demonstrated ability to articulate logical and persuasive arguments across the organization is required.

Equal Pay Act Statement

ITT aims to pay its employees fairly and competitively in the locations where they work. Pay-for-performance is a principle that we believe in, and employees are rewarded based not only on what they accomplish, but also on how they reflect ITT’s values. ITT offers a competitive salary and robust total rewards package, such as health insurance, 401(k), short and long-term disability, paid time off, growth and developmental opportunities, and other incentive compensation programs. Specific benefits are dependent upon whether or not the position is part of a collective-bargaining agreement. The salary offered to a candidate is based on several factors such as candidate experience and qualifications, location, as well as market and business considerations.