Senior Buyer

NEW LEADER MANUFACTURING • Cedar Rapids, IA

12d • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Buyer is responsible for developing sourcing strategies, managing key supplier relationships, leading cost reduction initiatives, supporting new product development activities, and mentoring other purchasing team members. The Senior Buyer exercises a high degree of independent judgment and serves as a subject matter expert in supplier management, strategic sourcing, inventory planning, and cross-functional project leadership.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a business-related field and a minimum of four (4) years of relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proficient understanding of ERP systems.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite with advanced Excel.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Verbal and written communication skills.
• Negotiation skills.
• Willing to travel to vendor locations.

Responsibilities

• Owns strategic supplier relationships and serves as the primary escalation point for supplier performance issues involving cost, quality, delivery, capacity, and continuity of supply.
• Prepares and issues purchase orders, quote requests and change notices with knowledge of the part and how it’s used; the financial impact of a PO’s administrative costs; and the financial impact of inventory carrying costs.
• Analyzes market and delivery conditions to determine present and future material availability. Develops buying strategies and prepares market analysis reports. Establishes stocking levels, maintains MRP parameters, and evaluates forecast validity.
• Develops and executes annual cost reduction initiatives through supplier negotiations, sourcing optimization, value analysis/value engineering activities, and process improvements.
• Leads purchasing activities for major cross-functional projects involving Engineering, Operations, Quality, Service, Sales, and Finance to ensure project objectives are achieved.
• Strategically identifies and benchmarks alternative suppliers to address any identified cost, quality, delivery or warranty constraints and to drive overall improvements.
• Assesses supplier risk related to financial stability, capacity, geographic exposure, and business continuity; develops and executes mitigation plans when risks are identified.
• Leads in creating, updating, implementing, and abiding by Purchasing Standard Operating Procedures.
• Assists in Capital Expenditure bid proposals and negotiates contracts within budgetary limitations and scope of authority.
• Assists in creating and measuring purchasing metrics to develop suppliers and maintain proper inventory levels while also analyzing and maintaining optimal MRP settings for purchased parts.
• Provides mentorship, technical guidance, and training to Buyers regarding sourcing strategies, supplier negotiations, inventory management, MRP optimization, and supplier issue resolution. Serves as a departmental subject matter expert and resource for the purchasing team.
• Demonstrates a good attendance record; is aware of the impact that missing work will have on the customer as well as co-workers.
• Completes goals/projects on time or ahead of schedule.
• Responds to work assignments and requests by being cooperative and available.
• Follows through and meets commitments.
• Available as a resource to subordinates and/or peers.
• Follows safety procedures, protocols, policies and adheres to all SAFESTART concepts, and acts when others are not holding themselves accountable.
• Leads by example and takes ownership in everything you do and or say.
• If you see something, say something and follow through until it's right.
• Treats others with respect and kindness.
• Isn’t complacent. Seizes opportunities to learn by participating in activities to increase understanding.
• Asks "why", is open-minded, and challenges the status quo.
• Leads and supports changes for the sake of improvement.
• Seeks new perspectives from all available sources to challenge your own, and brings them into your decision making process.
• Involves all stakeholders in making decisions. Is open to input from all sources.
• Considers long and short-term outcomes when making decisions.
• Is fearless.
• Readily admits mistakes.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior