Senior Buyer

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Purchasing Manager, the Sr. Buyer is responsible for the procurement and planning of materials, supplies and services that support an $85 million annual spend. This includes accountability for exercising control on defined inventory levels for purchased parts with a $10 million valuation.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Administer the negotiations and buying of production materials, consumable supplies, landed material costs and expense items both international and domestic.
• Determine all purchased parts ordering activity based on plan forecasts, inventory objectives, customer demands and economic ordering patterns, using a fully integrated MRP II manufacturing system.
• Implement demand flow process as appropriate.
• Maintain a vendor portfolio that analyzes proper vendor selection, location of service and vendor performance.
• Interface with supporting departments to coordinate cost savings, inventory control, compliance, and sourcing.
• Assist in expediting material shortages to determine cause and take corrective actions with the vendor.
• Participate in the disposal of surplus and obsolete inventory.
• Coordinate with the appropriate QA personnel regarding processing of non‑conforming materials to ensure timely vendor involvement and accountability when making disposition.
• Verify vendor invoices for accuracy, price extensions and quantities received.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• 5 – 10 years buying experience in a mechanical manufacturing environment (preferred).
• Experience in international sourcing and supply chain management.
• Working knowledge of SAP (preferred).
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints with a mechanical aptitude.
• Application of project management principles (a plus).
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; good interpersonal skills to enhance negotiation requirements.

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s Degree in Business or a related field, five years related buying experience in a manufacturing setting, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Competencies

• Aligning Performance for Success – Focusing and guiding others in accomplishing work objectives.
• Building a Successful Team – Using appropriate methods and a flexible interpersonal style to help build a cohesive team; facilitating the completion of team goals.
• Building Trust – Interacting with others in a way that gives them confidence in one’s intentions and those of the organization.
• Coaching and Developing Others – Providing feedback, instruction, and development guidance to help others excel in their current or future job responsibilities; planning and supporting the development of individual skills and responsibilities.
• Communication – Clearly and succinctly conveying information and ideas to individuals and groups in a variety of situations; communicating in a focused and compelling way that drives others’ thoughts and actions. Engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the message.
• Continuous Improvement – Originating action to improve existing conditions and processes; identifying improvement opportunities; generating ideas, and implementing solutions.
• Continuous Learning – Actively identifying new ideas for learning; regularly creating and taking advantage of learning opportunities; using newly gained knowledge and skill on the job and learning through their application.
• Customer Focus – Ensuring that the customer perspective is a driving force behind business decisions and activities; crafting and implementing service practices that meet customers’ and the organization’s needs.
• Delegating Responsibility – Allocating decision‑making authority and/or task responsibility to appropriate others to maximize the organization’s and individuals’ effectiveness.
• Facilitating Change – Encouraging others to seek opportunities for different and innovative approaches to addressing problems and opportunities; facilitating the implementation and acceptance of change within the workplace.
• Gaining Commitment – Using appropriate interpersonal styles and techniques to gain acceptance of ideas and plans; modifying one’s own behavior to accommodate tasks, situations, and individuals involved.
• Planning and Organizing – Establishing courses of action for self and others to ensure that work is completed efficiently.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Working Conditions

Working conditions are normal for an office and/or client‑site workshop or warehousing facility. The noise level is moderately quiet, though local and client sites can be unpredictable; appropriate safety equipment should be worn accordingly.

Values

Quality – Quality encompasses all aspects of SPX FLOW’s business, and every employee shares the responsibility to prevent the occurrence of any nonconformity relating to products, processes, and the quality systems. All employees have an obligation to identify and record any such nonconformity, and through designed channels, initiate and recommend solutions.