Sr. Buyer

SUMMARY

Organizes, supervises, and monitors purchasing records distribution, recording, and files retention, and actively performs purchasing activities.  Cultivates new and long-standing vendor relationships to attain the mutual professionalism required to assure timely deliveries. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

May include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Manages the flow, recording, and processing of purchasing documents including capital projects.  Controls and manages the purchasing activity with external suppliers.

• Negotiates purchases to the most economical advantage to the Company.

• Leverage yearly purchases to achieve lowest total cost by establishing yearly or multi-year Contracts for the purchase of goods and services through the identification of repeatable purchases, potential supply base and an appropriate sourcing strategy.

• Prepares, submits for quotes, and purchases requisitioned materials and equipment following evaluation.

• Purchases materials and services for the Plants in a manner which assures that the most economical advantage to the Company has been attained.

• Prepares bid comparisons from quotations, written and verbal, based on evaluation derived from vendor's bids.

• Expedites orders that are critical to the operation of the Plants and those orders that are behind schedule.

• Prepares and maintains preferred Vendor database based on previous cost, quality of service, reliability and types of goods and materials.

• Assists and researches logistical information in specific areas relating to all Plant departments.

• Assists Accounting in resolving purchase/billing discrepancies; warehouse stores and other departments in expediting, scheduling, contracts, and specifications.

• Assures that purchase requisitions have had the proper D.O.A. approval levels applied and that the purchasing department complies with external guidelines, such as SOX and Frank-Dodd.

• Contacts vendors, contractors, and engineering firms to obtain quotes, delivery schedules, and terms of payment.  When appropriate, negotiates discounts, delivery schedules and terms.

• Recognizes market trends and capitalizes on advantageous buying situations.

• Demonstrates thorough knowledge of the Company’s ERP tools.

• Trains, monitors, mentors, and assists team members in performance of their duties.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• B.S. / B.A. in Business related or Engineering field

• Minimum 7 years’ of purchasing experience, preferably in a related industry.  

• Effective written and verbal communication skills

• Strong business background involving realistic expectations and cost controls.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; stand; walk; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.  The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch.  The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate as normally based in an office.  Some of the work may be required in the operating units which can require usage of required PPE including safety glasses, hearing protection, etc.  May also result in exposure to outside elements and may require usage of stairs and elevators.  Up to 10% travel including air travel or auto travel may occasionally be required.