Senior NPD Buyer/Planner

Elkay Manufacturing•Erie, PA

About The Position

Senior NPD Buyer/Planner The Company Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation is a thriving, values-driven company focused on doing the right things. We’re a fast growing, publicly traded company (NYSE: ZWS), with an enduring reputation for integrity, giving back, and providing an engaging, inclusive environment where careers flourish and grow. Named by Newsweek as One of America’s Most Responsible Companies and an Energage USA Top Workplace, at Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation, we never forget that our people are at the center of what makes us successful. They are the driving force behind our superior quality, product ingenuity, and exceptional customer experience. Our commitment to our people and their professional development is a recipe for success that has fueled our growth for over 100 years, as one of today’s leading international suppliers of plumbing and water delivery solutions. Headquartered in Milwaukee, WI, Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation employs over 2800 employees worldwide, working from 24 locations across the U.S., China, Canada, Dubai, and Mexico, with sales offices available around the globe. We hope you’ll visit our website and learn more about Zurn Elkay at zurnelkay.com. If you’re ready to join a company where what you do makes a difference and you have pride in the work you are doing, talk to us about joining the Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation family! If you are a current employee, please navigate here to apply internally. The New Product Development Purchasing Coordinator is responsible for a “cradle to grave” handling of materials that they are responsible for with a focus on new products. This includes acting as the integral resource from procurement for all new product development initiatives. This individual will work closely with all functional groups to leverage Zurn’s supply base to drive the successful development of new products from inception through initial production and integration into the supply chain. They will also ensure that materials are available to meet internal and external customer requirements while working within the constraints of the business, and while constantly driving to improve the supply chain working capital metrics and corporate profitability. What happens when two remarkable sustainability leaders come together as one? A sustainability powerhouse is born, making a splash in the markets they serve and saving the planet one innovative installation at a time. In early 2022, Zurn Water Solutions Corporation, a market leader in smart, sustainable water solutions, and Elkay Manufacturing, a commercial drinking water solutions leader, agreed to combine their two exceptional firms to become a single water solutions powerhouse. Together, the combined company offers a comprehensive package of innovative, sustainable, specified, engineered water solutions and sustainable plumbing products that provide water safety, water quality, and water conservation through critical service environments, while delivering total building solutions for new construction and retrofit applications around the globe. Our innovative solutions enable customers to advance their ESG initiatives and reduce operating costs while providing students, patients, patrons, and people within public and private spaces a safe, clean environment and access to fresh, pure, potable water – the essence of life itself. What makes Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation special is our people and our culture. While playing a leading role in sustainability and water access are remarkable, what makes Zurn Elkay’s story so compelling is the alignment of the two well-respected companies with powerful legacies and a combined 224-year company history and shared values and cultures where people matter most. Sustainably inspired, the company has a deep commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, water, and environmental stewardship, and giving back to the communities where we live, work and play. Our powerful legacy of caring and commitment is made possible by the exceptional people that embody Zurn Elkay’s values. We are looking for innovative, energetic people who want to help solve tomorrow’s challenges today. Our Total Associate Engagement core value means we work hard to ensure our associates have opportunities to grow and an inclusive culture in which to thrive. From formal training to on-the-job development and exposure to new businesses, when you join Zurn Elkay, you will join a collaborative organization that will give you opportunities to thrive and grow.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in related field required and 5 years of experience.
Project Management experience with the ability to management multiple projects with little or no supervision
Strong communication skills, both oral and written, and the ability to communicate with all levels of a corporation
A strategic focus on what is important to the Company and his/her role in accomplishing this task
Strong analytical skills
Strong computer skills with strong working knowledge of MS Office applications
High degree of creativity, flexibility, and resourcefulness in the pursuit of cost improvements
Good communication skills and ability to work cross functionally in a team environment
Strong analytical skills
Strong computer skills with strong working knowledge of MS Office applications
High degree of creativity, flexibility, and resourcefulness in the pursuit of successful NPD launches

Nice To Haves

Additional degrees (MBA or Master's in technical field) are beneficial
Experience sourcing metal commodities a plus

Responsibilities

Responsible for coordinating supplier selection to support new product development initiatives.
Facilitate the communications and relationship between the suppliers and key NPD functions to assure the speed and success of the procurement deliverables supporting new product launches.
Ensure operational metrics are being maintained and not adversely effected by NPD activity.
Work cross functionally with Engineering, NPD and Purchasing for new product launches, obsolete inventory and BOM changes.
Monitor and troubleshoot incorrect coverages to ensure correct MRP signals for purchasing.
Accountable for overall inventory position of ‘assigned’ items and affiliated company goals (availability) for those items.
Accountable for determining and executing, in concert with departmental and company goals, dispositioning actions of E&O material.
Work directly with Strategic Sourcing to establish strategic suppliers for all major commodities, both LCR and domestic, who can deliver near-optimal QDC and allow us to meet working capital goals (may mean intermediate source to smooth out the inventory peaks and valleys)
Move all logical parts to Kanban (CEK)
Expedite any parts that are needed ASAP, Provide timely and accurate response to demand and forecast related inquiries from all areas of the organization, including day-to-day resolution of critical issues affecting Supply Chain.
Manage PFEP to visually monitor NPD items.
Become the designated Point of Contact between the suppliers and factory
Develop critical planning tools, key reports, and provide analytical support to Senior Leadership to make decisions, develop and execute key initiatives, and project short term and long-term performance.
Support strategic forecast initiatives designed to improve the quality of the forecast and close the identified gaps.
Discuss defective or unacceptable goods or services with inspection or quality control personnel, users, vendors, and others to determine sources of trouble and take corrective action
Input and maintenance of special tasks within the BU systems
Communicate with and work closely with other departments
Develop annual objectives in concert with departmental and company goals.