Senior Buyer

GREEN CIRCLE GROWERS INC•Oberlin, OH

About The Position

Green Circle Growers was founded in 1968 by John van Wingerden. With just a few acres, Green Circle Growers began selling to other companies like variety stores, lumber yards, hardware stores, and grocery stores. Today, Green Circle Growers is still owned and operated by the van Wingerden family and has grown to over 170 acres of indoor growing space. Our state-of-the-art greenhouses offer many different environments to keep up with the demanding mix of products that today’s market expects. We now provide plants to regional and national stores across the United States and Canada. We are able to market and offer broad products to mass merchants, as well as to growers. The retail market expects the full line of annuals in flats, containers, and baskets. The grower line produces pre-finished containers, plugs, and liners. POSITION OVERVIEW: The Senior Buyer is responsible for managing assigned purchasing activities and ensuring alignment with organizational objectives. This role owns categories and supplier relationships, including sourcing strategy, pricing, and performance management. This role provides strategic planning and supports cost-reduction initiatives, while actively influencing the sales, inventory, and operations planning process and advancing inventory optimization efforts to enhance supply chain efficiency.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, or a related area, or equivalent work experience
9+ years of experience in a related field of business is required
6+ years of experience in procurement is required
Knowledge of manufacturing processes, product design, and assembly of bill of materials (BOM) and dependencies
Ability to identify problems, recommend solutions, and negotiate and execute contingency plans
Ability to create routine reports, presentations, and correspondence
Ability to coordinate and track activities by metrics
Familiar with Lean principles
Familiar with business finance and accounts payable processes and the impact on purchasing
Familiar with international business practices and international freight
Strong experience with ERP systems is required; Microsoft NAV is a plus
Experience working with a Material Requirements Planning (MRP) system is required
Strong experience with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel
Highly organized and detail-oriented, with strong follow-up skills
Ability to understand and adjust to priorities
Strong problem-solving, communication, and interpersonal skills
Intermittent travel may be required
Continuously requires vision, hearing, twisting, and talking
Frequently requires sitting, standing, fine dexterity, and handling
Occasionally requires walking, climbing stairs, lifting (up to 20lbs), carrying, reaching, kneeling, pushing/pulling, bending, and crouching
Rarely requires climbing

Responsibilities

Ensure continuous supply of required goods and materials and communicate any supply problems which may pose a risk or impact on business operations
Utilize forecast and demand plans to process and expedite purchase orders to meet targeted inventory goals
Ability to develop, manage, and adjust forecasts using data analysis and business inputs, with or without system-generated planning tools
Develop strategies for management of slow-moving and obsolete inventory, including reduction and disposition
Support Lean Manufacturing strategy and initiatives and lead continuous improvement efforts within procurement processes
Work cross-functionally with order fulfillment and production scheduling to forecast and satisfy demand while driving alignment on priorities and constraints
Evaluate areas of opportunity and reduce costs where possible and drive measurable cost savings initiatives within assigned categories
Assist in the development of procurement plans to support company programs and projects.
Develop ideas and strategies to improve operational efficiency
Assess and evaluate suppliers and undertake performance reviews to ensure contract compliance and manage performance improvement activities through formal supplier scorecards and KPIs
Ensure that a professional and consistent approach is taken in relation to all supplier relationships
Explore alternate sources for goods and materials to support dual sourcing and supply continuity strategies
Contact suppliers to resolve price, quality, delivery, or invoice issues
Develop and execute risk mitigation and contingency plans to ensure supply continuity
Monitor and manage key performance indicators such as inventory turns, supplier performance, and purchase price variance
Provide guidance and support to junior buyers or team members as needed
All other duties as assigned