Category Buyer

Brunswick Corporation•Fond du Lac, WI

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Category Buyer/Sourcing Specialist is a critical individual contributor role in Mercury’s direct material procurement organization. Reporting to the Category Manager, the Category Buyer/ Sourcing Specialist builds and manages supplier relationships and drives continuous improvements in cost competitiveness, quality, delivery, and innovation to support Mercury’s global manufacturing operations and product development teams.

Requirements

BS/BA in Engineering preferred, Operations Management, Supply Chain or similar field
3+ years of experience in sourcing, procurement, or supplier management roles
Excellent negotiating and cost management skills; adept at managing conflict and handling difficult situations
Excellent data analysis abilities and software skills, including Microsoft Excel, Power BI; proficient with Word, PowerPoint, Project
Proficient with engineering prints and specifications, APQP, and PPAP processes
Excellent time management and organization skills, able to comfortably manage multiple ongoing projects, prioritize and adapt in response to changing business needs
Positive attitude, ethics, and international values to promote a healthy, diverse, high-performance culture
Occasional day and/or overnight travel, up to 20%, domestic and international

Nice To Haves

Expertise in raw materials, manufacturing processes, and supply base for engine components and/or marine propulsion system components
Experience in original equipment manufacturer setting with comparable scale and requirements to Mercury
C.P.M. and/or CPIM certifications
Lean and Six Sigma certification and application experience

Responsibilities

Engage ethically, professionally, and collaboratively with all internal and external stakeholders to execute purchasing responsibilities and maintain effective business relationships.
Build effective strategic relationships with suppliers, clearly and consistently communicating expectations, leading business reviews, and keeping suppliers accountable to performance.
Create and execute component sourcing strategies to meet requirements for technology, quality, cost, timing, and risk management in alignment with the category’s long term strategic objectives.
Execute requests for quote, issue and manage component and tooling purchase orders for assigned components.
Proactively identify and execute cost reduction projects, and effectively negotiate and mitigate supplier price increase requests to secure the best value for Mercury. Manage purchase order pricing, including scheduled reviews and updates based on pricing agreements. Resolve invoicing/payment issues as needed. Monitor critical input costs for assigned categories, such as currency exchange rates and raw materials.
Execute change management processes to achieve timely and effective disposition and execution.
Ensure continuity of supply, supporting escalation of supplier delivery or quality problems and ensuring suppliers perform to resolve.
Identify and execute continuous improvement projects to increase supplier performance levels and value, and to improve internal business processes year-over-year.
Regularly visit suppliers to audit capabilities and conduct business/program reviews.
Build category expertise over time that supports contributions as a highly valued advisor from the perspective of cross-functional customers, and supports robust category strategy development.