Buyer

Spirax Group•La Vergne, TN

About The Position

As a Buyer on the La Vergne team, you will support the procurement of goods and services needed for manufacturing operations, including raw materials, equipment, tools, components, and production supplies. You will work with suppliers and cross-functional teams to ensure materials are available for production schedules and customer demand. The role involves planning replenishments using ERP and MRP systems, purchasing and supplier selection, invoice coordination, procurement strategy, maintaining records in JDE, resolving quality and delivery issues, and supporting continuous improvement and business objectives.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university, or one to two years of related experience and/or training, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
MRP experience required.
Knowledge of word-processing, spreadsheet, and database software applications.
Demonstrated leadership and teamwork skills to implement programs and work effectively with internal and external functions.
Attention to detail in follow-through, prioritization, and meeting deadlines.
Ability to work effectively in a team environment and communicate issues and status to the immediate supervisor and other management.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret business documents, technical procedures, operating instructions, and procedure manuals.
Ability to write reports and business correspondence.
Ability to present information effectively and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, and customers.
Ability to perform arithmetic operations using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
Ability to apply common-sense understanding to carry out written, oral, or diagrammed instructions and address problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Nice To Haves

APICS certification.
Experience with CIRM, CPIM, or CPM.
JDE systems experience.

Responsibilities

Plan replenishments using ERP and MRP systems, making decisions based on price, delivery, and inventory disposition, and negotiate expedites as needed.
Approve invoices for payment and work with Accounts Payable on discrepancies.
Contact vendors to obtain product or service information, including price, availability, and delivery schedules.
Compare prices, select or recommend vendors, and select products for purchase.
Ensure materials, equipment, and supplies are ordered and delivered on time.
Determine procurement methods, select sources based on analysis, prepare purchase orders or bid requests, review proposals, and negotiate contracts within budget and delegated authority.
Analyze commodities and develop strategies for long-term contracts and savings programs aligned with business goals.
Work with supervisors and managers across departments to define requirements, coordinate solutions, address specific problems, and implement value engineering programs.
Maintain computerized procurement records in the JDE system, including costs, lead times, product specifications, quality or performance information, and inventory.
Discuss defective or unacceptable goods and services with quality personnel, users, vendors, and others to identify causes and take corrective action.
Work proactively with suppliers on quality, on-time delivery, and inventory-control programs that support business objectives.
Build cooperative and productive relationships with employees at all levels, working both individually and as part of a team.
Demonstrate commitment to continuous improvement and multidisciplinary problem-solving teams.