Buyer

Daifuku•Novi, MI

34d•Onsite

About The Position

Daifuku Airport America Corporation is a subsidiary of Daifuku North America, a group company of Daifuku in Japan, which is the largest material handling company in the world. Our advanced systems move everything from car bodies at auto plants to luggage at airports to packaged goods at warehouses. We are known as experts in engineering, manufacturing, and servicing innovative automated materials handling systems including conveyors, automatic guided vehicles, automated storage & retrieval systems, and integrated controls. The company is currently seeking a Buyer. Under the general supervision of the Corporate Procurement Manager, this role involves the purchase of Materials, Subcontracts, and Services for a defined group of custom engineered or specialty items. The Buyer will also negotiate claims or adjustments.

Requirements

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Time Management — Managing one's own time.
Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Judgment and Decision Making — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of you.
Verbal and Written Expression and Recognition — The ability to listen to, understand and communicate information and ideas presented through spoken or written words and sentences.
Information Ordering — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules.
Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
BA degree in Supply Management, Materials and Logistics Management, Procurement or equivalent strongly preferred.
3-5 years of significant experience required in Purchasing Department of a major manufacturer or service organization.
Strong negotiation skills with the knowledge of contract law, U.C.C Code and federal procurement policies.
Computer literate required, with proficiency in MS Word, Excel, Access and Impromptu.
Remain stationary for 50% of the time; move/traverse throughout the office to access file cabinets and office equipment; operate a computer and other productivity machinery; inspect documents; communicate with others through talking/hearing; read/identify/assess forms and correspondence.

Nice To Haves

2-4 years of significant experience within a defined engineered commodity group and/or contract administration.
SAP knowledge desired.

Responsibilities

Negotiates and procures items defined as custom engineered or specialty items used within the Daifuku Airport America Corp material handling systems.
Administers material contracts with outside suppliers, installation contracts, inter-division contracts, and outside contractors working on Daifuku property.
Interfaces with the Daifuku Legal Department for final contract language when necessary.
Reviews descriptions on Purchase Requisitions and solicits competitive bids in accordance with company policies.
Evaluates the commercial terms of each bid including price, quality, terms of payment, availability of trade discounts, product warranty/performance, proof of insurance, and compliance with Daifuku purchasing general terms and conditions, general terms and conditions for subcontractors, performance bonds, product liability insurance, capacity of production facilities, delivery dates meeting user or construction schedule, reliability of vendor in other similar transactions, and transportation.
Coordinates the technical review of vendor proposals with the Engineering Design Section for aspects such as conformance to design specifications, technical competence of vendor’s personnel, technical capacity of production facilities, and evaluation of quality control procedures.
Negotiates modifications in vendor’s bids and consolidates or adjusts quantities to achieve discounts or other price advantages.
Recommends successful vendors and issues Purchase Orders and/or Change Orders.
Negotiates claims or adjustments against suppliers for defective material or non-performance.
Negotiates the most favorable pricing agreements.
Locates, identifies, and encourages minority vendors to participate in ongoing projects, vendor demonstrations, and the bidding process.
Arranges vendor demonstrations of a select group of products for Engineering and other departments.
Expedites materials for projects as required to maintain project schedules.
Supplies availability, lead time, and pricing information to Engineering for planning and Procurement of Materials to facilitate more competitive proposals to Daifuku customers.
Participates and assists in the development of short and long-range departmental and corporate goals.
Visits vendor production facilities and Daifuku project job sites as required to update contract status, provides findings to Engineering or Project Management departments, and negotiates new or revised project priorities or production schedules as necessary.
Accurately enters orders into the ERP System, including changes or revisions.
Participates with representatives from Daifuku Engineering and other departments to modify or develop new item specifications or qualify vendors for approved use.
Participates in the identification of secondary materials, equipment, and sources of supply.