Buyer

Description

SUMMARY

This position executes the purchasing of raw materials and services of a more technical and specialized nature. Quantities of items and materials purchased may be relatively large, particularly in the case of contracts for continuous manufacturing supply. May be responsible for working with stakeholders to develop specifications for raw materials and locating or promoting possible new sources of supply. Ensuring supply with a sense of urgency to keep manufacturing running is the priority of this position.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

·  Execute the transactional purchase of direct-use materials (such as metal, packaging, sweeteners, and flavoring) with intent to purchase through delivery, to support production needs without interruption.

·  Purchase order execution, expediting, and other tasks in the day-to-day management of obtaining goods and services.

·  Contribute to the development procurement processes and systems. 

·  Communicate with stakeholders to understand business requirements.

·  Request documentation from suppliers to ensure stakeholder requirements are met.

·  Ensure supply by maintaining and strengthening supplier relationships and communication.  

·  Results orientation with finding solutions in challenging supply chain environment.

·  Analyze spend data and work with Finance team to identify improvement opportunities.

·  Monitor supplier performance, report key performance indicators regularly, and bring ideas for improvement. 

·  Conduct regular physical counts of certain mission-critical supplies for purposes of maintaining accurate inventory

·  Conduct vendor tours of manufacturing floor and production machines for purposes of determining vendor’s ability to meet plant needs

·  Daily meetings across departments and on production floor, loading areas, and tool rooms to discuss production teams’ procurement needs 

Food Safety 

Responsible and required to notify management about actual or potential food safety issues; and empowered to act to resolve food safety issues within their scope of work.  If this position is vacant for any significant period of time the obligation for completion of all food safety and quality related tasks will become the responsibility of the direct manager or a qualified designee.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Skills/ Knowledge:

Works on assignments that are complex in nature where considerable judgment, analysis, and initiative are required in resolving problems and making recommendations. Serves as a liaison with internal and/or external contacts. Must be experienced with balancing strategic and tactical business initiatives.  

Computer Skills: 

The ability to work effectively in a Microsoft Windows environment (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and internal software programs), with advanced presentation skills and the ability to create and maintain spreadsheets. Prior experience with ERP systems (Infor, SAP, Oracle, MS Dynamics, etc.) is preferred.

Certificates and Licenses: 

CPP (Certified Purchasing Professional) or CPDW (Certified Professional in Distribution and Warehousing) is a plus, but not required. 

Education:

Bachelor's degree from four-year college or university preferred. (Supply Chain or Business preferred). 2+ years purchasing experience desired.

Physical Demands:  The Physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

·  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to sit and use hands to finger, handle and feel objects, tools, and controls.  The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, bend, and reach with hands and arms.

·  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.