Site Buyer/Materials Planner

About the role

The Site Buyer/Materials Planner will lead and support management to ensure that Raw Materials (RM) and Packaging Materials (PM) are available to support Manufacturing activities. This position will work cross-functionally with internal teams, including Accounts Payable, Production Planning, Sourcing, R&D, Change Management, Manufacturing, Finance, Cost Accounting, Transportation and Quality as well as externally with RM & PM suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Manage purchasing cycle, including, but not limited to, purchase order (PO) creation, blanket purchase agreements, release creation, PO order tracking/follow up (expediting and postponing, rescheduling, other changes).
• Manage less complex material categories as experience progresses.
• Maintain database of supplier and item information that supports the procurement process. (e.g. “Master” files)
• Adhere to Sox Compliance requirements related to the procurement process, including purchase of only company approved materials through company approved suppliers. Validate spend authority and proper approval within database.
• Manage inventory levels at desired targets while ensuring continuous supply.
• Analyze Oracle MRP reports, based on the Production Planning department’s input, to lead the replenishment process by purchasing materials in support of those schedules.
• Manage materials inventory planning and control with consideration to supplier lead times, logistics, material excess/obsolescence. Target and validate optimum safety stock levels via ongoing review; provide recommendations for strategy revisions to management.
• Communicate with internal departments and external suppliers, to resolve any non-conforming material related issues, including quality and on-time deliveries.
• Support on time product launches from the site.
• Support A/P in various queries related to pricing and purchasing terms.
• Inform management of any potential supply issues for materials that may affect manufacturer’s ability to deliver finished goods on schedule.
• Manage supplier performance for adherence to critical KPIs (including material quality and delivery performance) with an eye on continuous improvement.
• Build/strengthen supplier relationships through frequent communication and support of best practices.
• Attend and lead meetings as required to understand and implement company objectives.
• Use available reporting tools to analyze the end-to-end procurement process and make recommendations for improvements.
• Supports the initiation of engineering change requests/orders (ECR’s/Eco’s) using Agile and temporary deviation approvals (TDA’s) to manage internal department and external supplier product changes.

Qualifications

• Skills: Demonstrated problem-solving skills
  Strong information gathering, analysis, and reporting capability
  Highly organized, with excellent written and oral communication organizational skills
  Ability to multi-task among when there are conflicting priorities
  Ability to perform in a fast-paced environment with multiple projects
  Possession of proficiency in MS office, including Outlook, Word and Excel
  Purchasing role in commodities, Packaging, MRO, or other raw materials and services
  Possession of proficiency in Oracle, Access, Agile or other database management systems
  Experience: 2 years’ experience in sourcing, purchasing, or supply chain
  Experience working with cross-functional teams
• Education: 2-year degree in business, management, supply chain or commensurate experience
• PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 4-year degree in business, management or supply chain
  3 years’ experience in sourcing, purchasing or supply chain
  Agile Database/document management systems
  Oracle Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems
  APICS or ISM certification
  Experience with TQM, ISO9000, Lean Six Sigma or other manufacturing/quality strategies
  Strong background in data analytics
  Experience with nutritional and/or other food products