General Purchasing Specialist - Manufacturing

Canadian Solar Inc.•Jeffersonville, IN

13d•Onsite

About The Position

At CS Power Systems, a division of Canadian Solar, we are dedicated to transforming lives by delivering clean, solar-powered electricity globally. As a manufacturer of high-performance solar panels, inverters, and energy storage solutions, we are committed to sustainability and innovation. We are seeking an experienced General Purchasing Specialist to manage the procurement of indirect materials for our Cell Business Unit in Indiana. This role involves coordinating the procurement of MRO materials and services, such as equipment, office supplies, EHS products, and non-stock items, to support daily operations. The ideal candidate will have strong organizational skills, strategic purchasing expertise, analytical capabilities, and meticulous attention to detail to ensure optimal inventory levels and timely deliveries.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Business, or related field.
1--3 years of purchasing experience in a manufacturing environment.
Proficiency with ERP systems, particularly SAP, SRM, OA.
Working knowledge of inventory management principles and techniques.
Experience with international procurement and understanding of Incoterms.
Experience with spend analysis and cost reduction initiatives.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel for data analysis and reporting (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, etc.)
Knowledge of MRP/MPS systems and production planning processes.
Experience with supplier performance scorecards and KPI tracking.
Familiarity with electronic procurement systems and catalog management
Capability in purchase price variance (PPV) analysis and reporting.
Experience negotiating pricing, payment terms, and service level agreements.
Ability to perform TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) analysis for material selection
Excellent organizational abilities and time management.
Excellent communication skills in Bilingual (English and Mandarin).

Responsibilities

Execute efficient procurement for indirect materials (facility, equipment, IT, office, etc.) and services to fulfill production requirements.
Responsible for end-to-end purchasing process including requisition review, vendor selection, and order placement.
Process and track purchase requisitions through order fulfillment, ensuring proper approvals before order placement.
Ensure all procurement activities comply with corporate policies and procedures.
Maintain accurate procurement documentation and records.
Participate in weekly planning and purchasing conference calls to align procurement with operational needs.
Conduct strategic purchasing activities to secure advantageous terms concerning pricing, quality, and delivery schedules.
Collaborate with the logistics department, third-party logistics providers (3PL), suppliers, and freight forwarders to ensure on-time material arrival.
Monitor, evaluate, and analyze supplier performance (quality, delivery, price bidding) and address issues proactively.
Manage supplier relationships and escalate vendor issues to management when necessary.
Support supplier qualification and onboarding processes as needed.
Apply inventory management principles to minimize excess stock while preventing shortages.
Coordinate with Production and Planning teams to align procurement with manufacturing needs.
Support implementation of Just-In-Time (JIT) and First-In, First-Out (FIFO) inventory practices.
Assist in periodic inventory reconciliation activities.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance Team procurement processes, compliance, and operational effectiveness.
Identify and implement process improvements within purchasing operations.
Support cost-reduction and inventory optimization strategies.
Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, industry standards, company policies, and audit requirements.
Partner with Legal and Finance teams on contract reviews, risk management, and audit processes.
Work closely with Engineering, Production, and Quality Assurance departments to understand material and inventory requirements.
Support inbound/outbound departments by tracking deliveries and ensuring timely arrival.
Manage, maintain, and update MRO data, investigating abnormal material usage.
Generate and analyze reports on purchasing activities, savings, and supplier performance.
Leverage Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), Just-In-Time (JIT), and First-In, First-Out (FIFO) inventory methodologies to optimize inventory turnover.
Identify potential supply chain risks and develop contingency plans to mitigate disruptions.
Continuously monitor and analyze market conditions and industry trends impacting procurement and supply chain strategies.
Maintain accurate records for internal and external audits.