Purchasing Manager

CARMA LABORATORIES INC • Franklin, WI

127d

About The Position

Responsible for sourcing/procuring goods/services and managing vendor performance. Must be able to perform strategic procurement activities across multiple categories of spend, identify & execute strategies to lower costs, and find more profitable suppliers. Uses forecasting tools and his/her judgment to plan purchases and balance the need to be in-stock with need to control inventory and achieve optimal pricing. This role requires the coordination of activities across multiple groups including: Sales, Marketing, and Production. This role interacts with suppliers, sub contractors, distributors and manufacturers when procurement activities take place. The manager is in charge of company projects in which quotations, bids and awards take place. This role requires a broad knowledge of packaging components, materials and processes used within the OTC pharmaceutical manufacturing industry along with the capability to continue to broaden industry knowledge and understand the interaction, limitations and requirements of these components and processes within the organization. The position requires strong organizational and analytical skills and good teamwork.

Requirements

• BS in Supply Chain, Business Administration, Finance or related field of study.
• Minimum seven years’ experience in a professional buying position.
• Minimum three years’ experience in a purchasing management position.
• Experience working within the Consumer Products Goods (CPG) industry is strongly preferred.
• Experience working with FDA regulated products is strongly preferred.
• A demonstrated, successful track record with sourcing and vendor management.
• Interest in market dynamics along with business sense.
• Skilled in negotiation and networking.
• Working experience of vendor management software.
• Ability to gather and analyze data and to work with figures.
• Solid judgement along with decision making skills.
• Strong leadership capabilities.
• Working knowledge of FDA GMP’s.
• Must be able to operate independently requiring limited supervision and exercise proper judgment.
• Familiarity with product specifications and incoming inspection procedures.
• Strong negotiating skills. Experience with writing purchase agreements, contracts, policies and procedures.
• Strong organizational skills, detail oriented.
• Strong analytical and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to interface well with cross-functional teammates.
• Familiarity with Supplier Scorecards and Quarterly Business Reviews, and experience using these to drive continuous improvements in the performance of key suppliers.
• Familiarity and training in LEAN principles.
• Strong working knowledge of ERP systems.
• CPIM/ASCM Certification desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop, lead, and execute purchasing strategies.
• Lead & develop department personnel.
• Track and report key functional metrics to reduce costs and improve effectiveness.
• Craft negotiation strategies and close deals with optimal terms.
• Partner with stakeholders to ensure clear requirements documentation.
• Forecast price and market trends to identify changes of balance in buyer-supplier power.
• Perform cost and scenario analysis, and benchmarking.
• Perform risk based assessment of organization to ensure continuity of supply.
• Seek and partner with reliable vendors and suppliers.
• Determine quantity and timing of deliveries - Review sales forecasts and production schedules to implement supply plan for material requirements.
• Monitor and forecast upcoming levels of demand, ensuring budgeted and planned raw materials can properly support.
• Lead efforts in mitigating the risks associated with global supply chain constraints (contingency planning).
• Manage inventory levels and safety stocks for raw materials.
• Lead efforts to implement and streamline MRP software/tools to drive purchasing efficiency.
• Manage major purchasing activities including price negotiation, supplier agreements and blanket order commitments.
• Maintain good relations and communication with vendors. Facilitate corrective actions and credits when quality issues arise.
• Maintain purchasing and packaging standards with current vendors with proper insurance certificates, agreement to Company terms and applicable FDA and Safety regulations.
• Manage selection of new suppliers. Seek best alternatives for vendors based on quality, service, risk mitigation, and total cost (not just price).
• Develop analysis tools that help improve business results.
• Review daily purchasing reports and material reports in order to monitor and track expected delivery dates and make receiving department aware of possible activities during the day.
• Follow up and coordinate with suppliers to ensure on-time delivery of raw materials. If necessary, expedite parts or shipping requirements to improve customer deliveries.
• Monitor, track, and create KPI metrics to support the Carma Supply Chain.
• Actively interface with Marketing, Research and Development and current or potential suppliers in the discovery phase and assume responsibility for the successful execution of selected packaging in the tactical phase.
• Investigate new packaging techniques, material, processes and developments to provide innovative and cost effective packaging concepts and solutions.
• Define risks associated with projects and assume an active role in determining the feasibility of new projects as they relate to cost, timing and manufacturing of the selected project.
• Initiate supplier proofs, concept models and samples.
• Ensure necessary engineering and technical approval of selected components, including material compatibility and dispensing characteristics.
• Review and recommend sources of supply. Ensures that supplier can maintain integrity of selected packaging.
• Approve Final Packaging Specifications.
• Lead standard costing analysis and annual budgeting for all raw materials.
• Partner with R&D on Carma spec development for all raw materials.
• Gather and lead QBR’s with top vendors to review performance metrics.
• Support costs analysis efforts through to implementation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees