Senior Buyer, Subcontracted Manufacturing

Johnson Screens•New Brighton, MN

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Buyer – Subcontracted Manufacturing at Johnson Screens is responsible for advanced procurement activities, including supplier negotiations, supplier performance management, and the maintaining strategic supplier relationships. This role requires a strong understanding of procurement and manufacturing processes as well as the ability to drive cost-effective sourcing decisions while maintaining quality standards and delivery commitments. The position will primarily support engineering and the New Brighton manufacturing facility by managing outsourced/subcontracted production activities. Responsibilities include collaborating with internal stakeholders to understand requirements, setting up operating systems to manage flow of information and process steps, communicating specifications and expectations to suppliers, quoting with multiple sources of supply, comparing supplier capabilities, issuing purchase orders, and tracking orders through delivery. The Senior Buyer is accountable for ensuring suppliers deliver high-quality products on time to meet both production schedules and customer delivery commitments.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, or equivalent experience.
Minimum 7+ years of experience procuring outsourcing or subcontracted manufacturing activities in a manufacturing environment.
Strong negotiation skills and knowledge of procurement best practices including SAP expertise within the procurement and subcontracted manufacturing processes
10+ years of SAP procurement and production planning module experience required.
Excellent communication and organizational skills.
5+ years of experience coordinating outsourcing activities in an engineered or make to order environment.
Ability to manage multiple tasks and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
Strong attention to detail.
Advanced Excel skills required.
Desire to influence and lead change, support and mentor junior staff members and cross-functional stakeholders and hold peers accountable to ensure supplier supply chain and operational execution is in alignment with customer expectations.

Nice To Haves

Continuous Improvement mindset, with experience facilitating cross-functional continuous improvement projects preferred.
Familiarity with technical drawings and specifications; ability to read and interpret technical drawings and specifications preferred.

Responsibilities

Manage procurement records, SAP settings, subcontracted production routers, POs, and like items to ensure accuracy in order details, supplier agreements, and pricing.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure that material and service needs align with production schedules and operational requirements.
Influencing cross-functional teams and projects to ensure successful execution based on supply base’s ability to meet lead times and pricing.
Conduct RFQs (Request for Quote) on applicable parts including searching for and validating new suppliers with more advantageous terms and capabilities.
Create routers in SAP for subcontracted manufacturing steps as well as guiding engineering on these steps through the BOM creation process.
Creating purchase orders and subcontracted work orders and processing them through procurement and planning systems.
Ensuring purchased goods meet quality, quantity, and delivery standards.
Building and maintaining strong relationships with key suppliers.
Managing planning parameters and stock levels to ensure adequate lead time and inventory on hand while avoiding overstocking.
Monitoring MRP and project plans to plan purchases and minimize stockouts.
Ensuring all purchases comply with company policies and industry regulations.
Maintain accurate records of purchases, contracts, and supplier information.
Review and analyze purchase requisitions and ensure accurate order placement in line with company standards, updating planning parameters and routers when requisitions are not aligned to actual project or production needs
Preparing reports on purchasing activities, inventory at suppliers, costs, and supplier performance and other key performance metrics.
Monitor supplier performance and communicate any delivery or quality issues to Procurement Leadership.
Assist in supplier evaluations and participate in supplier development initiatives.
Negotiate with suppliers to obtain favorable terms, pricing, and delivery schedules.
Performs other duties as assigned.