Sr. Buyer

IDEAL Industries, Inc.•Sycamore, IL

About The Position

IDEAL Industries, Inc. has built a reputation for over a century by crafting iconic tools and practical technology required in aerospace, data communications, electrical, wire processing and construction. The global family of IDEAL brands includes IDEAL Electrical, Anderson Power, and Enatel. A vibrant and dynamic company, IDEAL is best known for our wire connectors, the gold standard for making electrical connections around the world. Nearly every commercial jet is assembled using IDEAL wire strippers and, as part of the critical equipment on NASA missions, our tools even help NASA astronauts fly to the moon. Most important, our products benefit skilled tradespeople, who reach for IDEAL tools every day. IDEAL is propelled by the concept of Building an IDEAL World. Our family-run business is committed to building ideal relationships with customers, employees, and communities by crafting some of our industry’s most innovative and trusted tools. The Senior Buyer is responsible for all planning, purchasing, coordinating, and controlling of raw materials, finished goods and supplies based on customer needs within a given value stream. In this role, one will work effectively with other groups such as manufacturing, engineering, and distribution to ensure accuracy of the part data and execution of part changes. This includes maintenance of item master parameters in ERP system, communication of any potential supply interruptions, general management of assigned suppliers, and the achievement of raw material inventory turns and dollar value goals.

Requirements

Four-year degree in related discipline OR specific work experience.
5-10 years of progressive experience purchasing in a manufacturing environment.
A satisfactory equivalent combination of experience and training which ensures the ability to perform the work may be considered.
Strong computer skills with ERP/Warehouse management systems and MS Office.
Ability to take a proactive approach to overcome challenges and achieve results.
Proven ability to manage multiple tasks/projects with a high degree of effectiveness.
Actively engage in responsibilities and initiatives to ensure a safe work environment.
Comply with and contribute to the continuous improvement of company policies, processes and procedures.
Contribute to a collaborative, team-oriented workplace, which may include other duties as assigned.

Nice To Haves

APICS CPIM certification is preferred.

Responsibilities

Engages with sales and production management to develop plans for managing inventory levels to support customer requirements.
Analyzes and optimizes plans by adjusting and maintaining safety stock, reorder point, lead time and other parameters in the ERP system.
Actively review material ordering and consumption patterns and adjust based on trends.
Transact and manage purchase order release and fulfillment for assigned items/suppliers.
Enhance Kanban system including pull signals, optimal material flow, material storage and stocking levels.
Coordinates resolution of material related issues with the appropriate departments and/or suppliers to ensure availability of required materials.
Work with Strategic Sourcing to improve supplier quality and delivery.
Oversee proper inventory including root cause of discrepancies plus corrective actions to guard against inconsistencies in the future.
Mentors and develops fellow materials team members on material flow and Plan for Every Part (PFEP) methodology.
Provide data analysis support for cutover projects and forecasts.
Participating in Kaizen events as required.
Assist with daily transactional issues and problem resolution.
Generate forecast/open order reports for suppliers.
Creates return to vendors and credit memos.
Manage VMI suppliers by generating Purchase orders from forecast and stocking levels.
Disposition Request from the quality dept. -Purchasing dept. notifies and works with suppliers on corrective action.
Executes weekly reports with ETA, spike orders and supplier discrepancies/delays corrective actions.
Warehouse transfer requests, to ensure materials are in the correct location.
Working with sourcing and suppliers to ensure correct pricing for new items. Create purchase orders for each warehouse location for certain items.
Attends weekly Gemba Walk-Report on material shortages to the purchasing group.
Coordinate capital purchase orders and indirect purchase orders.
Execute ECN/ECR-cutover strategies.
Work with Strategic Sourcing/Product Management-Pricing updates, discontinuations, artwork changes and new supplier requests.
Orders Raw materials for key A and B items.
Generates strategic reports for the team.
Provide data collection support for supplier information.
Maintain import compliance paperwork-packing slips.
Meet inventory reduction and material margin goals Continuous improvement activities.
Meets with the suppliers to review expectations, delivery performance, and quality.
Ability to take a proactive approach to overcome challenges and achieve results.
Proven ability to manage multiple tasks/projects with a high degree of effectiveness.
Actively engage in responsibilities and initiatives to ensure a safe work environment.
Comply with and contribute to the continuous improvement of company policies, processes and procedures.
Contribute to a collaborative, team-oriented workplace, which may include other duties as assigned.