Corporate/Plant Buyer-- SONDC5855804

Responsible for assured supply of materials, equipment, and services—on time, at the best price, and with high quality—while minimizing inventories, ensuring optimum materials utilization, and maintaining competitive costs and supplier performance.

Responsibilities

• Assists with Business Global Supply Management (GSM) Strategy Development. Deploys GSM strategies and plans to make purchasing decisions aligned with organizational objectives and sourcing strategies.
• Ensures Contribution Metrics are updated and linked with site/business cost reduction portfolio.
• Leads negotiations with suppliers, including contract administration.
• Owns or assists with the Supplier Relationship Management Process, including supplier audits.
• Creates and maintains contractual documents such as Supply Agreements, Pricing Agreements, Non-Disclosure Agreements, Certificates of Insurance, etc.
• Assists with Commodity Reviews and Supply Intelligence.
• Manages inventory (where applicable): organizes, controls, and minimizes materials on hand, slow-moving, and obsolete materials.
• Acts as GSM liaison between plants, including materials and quality areas.
• Recommends changes to purchasing practices/supply management to ensure conformance with laws, policies, and ethical principles (e.g., activity-based costing). Participates in planning and implementing these changes.
• Serves as the main contact for RTP to resolve or eliminate invoicing issues immediately.
• Participates in cross-functional teams focused on process improvements, cost reduction, and supply chain issue resolution.
• Protects Intellectual Property (IP).
• Ensures compliance with internal and external auditing requirements, especially related to GSM or other certifications.
• Verifies suppliers’ environmental compliance and ensures correct disposal of scrap.
• Champions and advocates for the Global Buying Policy, ensuring compliance.

Performance Metrics

• Contribution Metrics
• Assigned suppliers’ quality and performance metrics
• Shared Objectives Score %
• Global Objectives Performance
• Strategic Suppliers and/or % Under Contract / Management
• Transaction Reduction and process simplification
• Inventory Turns/Days of Supply

Competencies

People

• Conflict Management
• Cross-Cultural Agility
• Influencing

Business

• Global Business Knowledge
• Problem Solving

Function/Technical

• Commodity/Supply Chain Expertise
• Contract Writing/Management
• Negotiation
• Price/Cost Analysis

Leadership

• Act with Integrity and Authenticity
• Focus on Customers
• Value Differences in People and Ideas

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred (Technical field preferred, but not required).
• Associate’s Degree minimum + relevant experience.

Requirements

• 5+ years’ experience as a plant or corporate buyer.
• Hands-on buyer experience required, including placing orders, familiarity with MRP, and communication with key stakeholders and suppliers.
• Experience using SAP.
• Experience working in a matrix environment or on a cross-functional team.
• Experience in manufacturing operations, planning, quality, engineering, or supply chain.

Desired Experience

• Experience with GSM processes and systems.
• Experience across multiple businesses, divisions, and/or technologies.
• Experience with global manufacturing and business through work or project experience.
• Yellow or Green Belt Certification.
• Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.), Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM), APICS, or certification related to Supply Chain.