LEER - Material Control - Buyer

About the role

LEER Group, LLC is North America’s largest manufacturer and supplier of fiberglass and aluminum truck caps and tonneau covers for residential and commercial applications. The company operates multiple manufacturing facilities across the United States and distributes products through a network of more than 1,300 independent dealers.

LEER Group is a subsidiary of J.B. Poindexter & Co., a privately held diversified manufacturing company offering competitive compensation, progressive benefits, and opportunities for career growth across a broad portfolio of manufacturing businesses.

Responsibilities

• Exercising independent discretion and judgment to interpret, analyze material requirements, plan, and procure Commodities, Raw Materials, Components, Operating Supplies, Equipment, Maintenance Supplies, etc.
• Establishes strategies to improve supply chain ordering, solve shortage issues, and strengthen supplier relationships in concert with direction set by the Purchasing Manager.
• Tracks assigned commodities and implements strategies to lower overall procurement cost.
• Coordinate with JBPCO commodity managers to resolve Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost issues.
• Mentors non-supply chain team members validating that processes and procedures are clearly understood.
• Reviews requirements and uses MRP system (JDE E1) as well as available reports to determine material needs and takes appropriate actions to meet those needs.
• Drive and track improvements to “inventory turns”, inventory levels, supplier delivery performance.
• Share in responsibility for implementation of change notices to avoid unnecessary rework, scrap, obsolescence, cancellation charge, or production delays and assure that the correct revision levels are maintained in inventory.
• Proactively keep suppliers notified of any changes.
• Expedites/defers/cancellations.
• Participates and engages in daily/weekly/monthly factory performance reviews
• Uses departmental performance metrics to drive countermeasures and continuous improvement
• Complete special assignments for the Supply Chain department as directed by the Purchasing Manager.
• Ensure data accuracy (parts, MOQs, standard packs, cost, etc.) report problems and take appropriate action.
• Provides technical leadership, training, and support to manufacturing teams as well as peers.
• Executes investigation and root cause analysis on any supply disruptions or material quality issues and implements corrective action.
• Identifies, escalates, and resolves material shortages/bill of material errors, usage fluctuation before they affect production.
• Participate in supplier audits and vendor review process to communicate business results and vendor performance / rating.
• Manages return of merchandise to supplier due to quality issues, delivery terms, etc.
• Leads and participates in cross-functional teams/activities to improve systems or performances.

Requirements

• BA in business or closely related degree is preferred or equivalent experience.
• 5 years or more year experience in a buyer / planner purchasing role.
• Understanding of Capacity Planning and MRP.
• In depth utilization and experience with JDE E1 is preferred.
• Excellent skills conducting product and supplier research.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Excellent problem-solving and organizational skills.
• Ability to interact productively with all levels of company management and all product lines.
• Ability to prioritize and multi-task.
• Strong decision maker.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and tact.
• Flexibility and adaptability to accommodate new tasks and processes.
• Capable of working independently and/or part of a group, as required.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Must be able to function in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment.
• Ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Must have the ability to combine pieces of information to form general conclusions.
• Must have fluent computer skills in Microsoft Office and related software packages.
• Savvy understanding of Excel and utilization.
• Solution oriented self-starter with a hands-on approach and the ability to work unaided.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Excellent negotiation skills in challenging situations, both internally and externally.

Skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Thorough understanding of the business and supply chain.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Extremely proficient with production planning systems, such as MRP II.
• Boots on the ground (very hands-on) accustomed to wearing many hats in an entrepreneurial “fast-paced” environment.
• Dynamic, polished, high energy, focused, and driven.
• Very sharp, innovative, and accustomed to “figuring it out”.
• Ability to motivate teams to produce in tight timeframes while managing several projects simultaneously.
• Ability to effectively communicate and facilitate through encouragement, motivation, and inspiration at all levels of the organization.