Procurement Direct Buyer I

Kindeva Drug Delivery•Maryland Heights, MO

About The Position

The Procurement Direct Buyer I is responsible for ensuring the timely, cost-effective, and compliant procurement of direct materials needed to support production under the supervision of the Procurement Manager. This role helps manage supplier relationships, issues and monitors purchase orders, and coordinates with internal stakeholders to maintain material availability, meet delivery expectations, and support business continuity. The role also supports sourcing, negotiation, inventory planning, and issue resolution within a regulated manufacturing environment. The Procurement Direct Buyer I works cross-functionally with Production, Quality, Supply Chain, and suppliers to ensure materials meet quality and technical requirements, supplier performance is monitored, and procurement processes are continuously improved.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management or a related field with a minimum of two (2) years of procurement experience, or a Master’s degree with no prior experience required.
Intermediate-level computer skills including Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
Experience working with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, Quality Management Systems, online procurement portals, and related business applications.
Self-starter with the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively across organizational levels and deliver presentations.
Strong business acumen, analytical capabilities, and problem-solving skills.
High attention to detail and organizational effectiveness.
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate with internal customers, management, and employees across multiple Kindeva locations.
Ability to read and interpret vendor quotations, procurement reports, inventory reports, and procedure manuals.
Ability to prepare routine reports and professional correspondence.
Ability to perform basic arithmetic calculations and compute rates, ratios, percentages, discounts, interest, and volume calculations.
Ability to apply sound judgment and common-sense understanding to carry out written, oral, and diagram-based instructions.
Ability to resolve problems involving multiple variables in standardized situations.
Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Windows, Outlook, Word, Excel, inventory systems, databases, and procurement applications.
Demonstrated ability to gather and analyze information effectively.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple assignments, and complete work accurately.
Contributes positively to team objectives and supports a collaborative work environment.
Provides excellent service to internal customers and collaborates effectively across a fast-paced organization.
Builds strong, trusting relationships across functions and organizational levels.
Self-starter and independent thinker with the ability to learn new concepts quickly.
Effectively presents numerical data and prepares procurement documentation and vendor correspondence.
Demonstrates respect and sensitivity for personal and cultural differences.
Works with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
Follows policies and procedures while supporting organizational goals and values.
Effectively manages change, delays, competing priorities, and tight deadlines in a dynamic environment.
Demonstrates sound and accurate decision-making.
Strong time management, prioritization, and organizational skills.
Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of position or status.
Demonstrates accuracy, thoroughness, and commitment to continuous improvement.
Follows safety and security procedures and supports departmental safety objectives and safe operating practices.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a highly regulated industry such as pharmaceutical or medical device manufacturing.
Experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Material Requirements Planning (MRP) and procurement software.
Experience using Microsoft Power BI.
Experience in procurement, sourcing, contracts, analytics, and ERP systems.
Working knowledge of planning, procurement, and inventory management principles.
Knowledge of Incoterms® 2020.
Experience with Continuous Improvement methodologies including Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, Total Quality Management Systems (TQMS), and Yellow Belt or Green Belt certification programs.
Coursework or certification progress through the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM), Association for Supply Chain Management Certification in Production and Inventory Management (APICS), Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), or Institute for Supply Management (ISM).

Responsibilities

Learn to utilize Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365) to review requirements, research purchase and usage history, and review inventory levels in order to purchase raw materials.
Firm planned purchase orders and planned production orders.
Align orders with production schedule requirements considering lead time, transportation, phase-in and phase-out of packaging materials, quality testing timelines, safety stock, available capacity, and other supply chain planning parameters.
Issue purchase requisitions and purchase orders, ensuring timely order confirmations and on-time delivery (OTD) of raw materials and production-related supplies to support production schedules.
Learn to monitor OTD reporting in Microsoft Power BI and work toward Class A performance levels.
Review exception messages and support weekly material expediting and de-expediting activities under the direction and approval of the Procurement Manager.
Support sourcing, evaluation, and selection of suppliers for direct materials and services, ensuring quality, cost, and delivery requirements are met.
Participate in negotiations of pricing, terms, and contracts to achieve favorable business outcomes.
Develop and maintain effective working relationships with suppliers and key stakeholders.
Serve as a point of contact with suppliers to communicate issues and support resolution efforts under the direction of the Procurement Manager.
Provide information to support customer order promise dates and timely communication of schedule changes.
Facilitate communication between Procurement, Production, Supply Chain, and Quality functions.
Support material availability and production continuity through effective coordination across departments.
May support Indirect Procurement activities as needed.
Learn to utilize Quality Management Systems to request changes to existing part numbers, including product code updates.
Process Supplier Corrective Action Reports (SCARs) and Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPAs), providing support and escalation as needed.
Maintain awareness of and compliance with Procurement policies, procedures, and systems.
Participate in self-development activities and provide training to peers and internal stakeholders.
Support continuous improvement initiatives and process enhancements.
Perform other duties as assigned.