Commodity Buyer

Summary

Under broad supervision, secures and analyzes quotes and negotiates prices and terms with U.S. and international suppliers, subject to management approval, for the purchase of fixed assets, parts, tooling, materials, and/or services. Prepares analytical reports and forecasts to track product costs. Recommends appropriate course of action to management. Expedites the procurement of parts and/or materials in short or critical supply. Coordinates quality matters, engineering, and price changes between company components and suppliers.

Essential Functions

• Purchases a high volume and variety of materials and supplies. Evaluates bids, selects and recommends suppliers and negotiates price, delivery, quality and service.
• Develops and implements strategies for cost reduction, supplier consolidation, quality improvements and process efficiencies.
• Coordinates purchasing details with vendors, including pricing revisions, order cancellations, discontinued items, acceptable substitutes, back orders, delivery date revisions and invoice discrepancies.
• Plans, coordinates and manages various sourcing projects related to price, availability, cost to produce and quality for possible category cost savings.
• Analyzes inventory levels and plans orders based on production and sales requirements. Investigates discrepancies between actual and computerized (Dynamics) inventory levels, conducts and coordinates corrective actions and implements process improvements.
• Develops replenishment strategies to reduce lead times.
• Supports new supplier qualification, engineering and new product development activities as required including supplier visits and audits.
• Develops and maintains relationships with key internal stakeholders.
• Maintains data in the ERP system of records relative to purchase orders, requisitions and approvals.
• Reviews requisition orders to verify quantities ordered are the quantities that were received.
• Inputs and reconciles all manufacturing orders and verifies all items for intercompany transfers and production billing.
• Develops and maintains strong relationships with suppliers. Monitors performance of suppliers. Compiles information on price trends and manufacturing processes.
• Keeps abreast of market conditions and changes within the supplier’s organization that may affect our relationship.

Key Competencies and Skills

• Solid understanding of distribution, purchasing, inventory and production
• Prior experience developing/maintaining a supplier management relationship
• Experience negotiating contract terms with external suppliers
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Strong analytical, problem solving and project management skills
• Ability to read blue prints, drawing and/or schematics
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as materials, manufacturing costs, unit pricing and freight charges
• Ability to multi-task and manage changing priorities

Education & Experience

Bachelor’s degrees and three years of procurement/buying experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Inventory experience in a manufacturing environment including warehousing, inventory control and production flow is strongly preferred. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Dynamics or another ERP system

Physical Requirements

• Work is primarily sedentary in nature.
• Significant interaction with team, some customers and vendors
• Occasional manual labor that includes lifting, bending and reaching

• Ability to read, write, listen and speak

Work Environment

• Typically work is in an office environment where the noise level is low to moderate.