Description

The Purchased Finished Goods Buyer/Planner is responsible for efficiently managing the assigned group of items and suppliers to deliver the best inventory turns while maintaining a high level of customer service.
This position represents the crucial communication link between customer service, suppliers and operations, and requires a high level of analytical, problem solving and organizational skills. The ideal candidate must have a strong sense of urgency, proven organizational skills and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities:

Inventory Management

• Validate requirements and issue purchase orders daily for all required products to maintaining targeted inventory levels
• Use available inventory replenishment methods and practices to ensure minimum excess and slow moving and obsolete inventory. Includes strategic inventory hedge builds and New Product Introduction support
• Practice Lead-Time suppression and alert to removing waste from the process (lean)
• Establish safety stock positions, best stocking locations and re-size lot sizes (Kanbans)
• Navigate and master propriety ERP system. Maintain Kanban, VMI, Consignment implementation and database records to ensure system accuracy
• Resolve problems and discrepancies with quality, delivery dates, quantity and invoicing of purchased commodities – 360 degree material planning

Customer Service

• Provide timely updates to management and customer service as requested
• Report material availability issues, expedite and provide timely resolution of such, including root cause analysis

Supplier Management

• Own the tactical day-to-day supplier relationship and report out on Supplier Performance
• Pro-actively investigate and resolve vendor problems and availability issues. Resolve invoice discrepancies with vendors
• Expedite suppliers and logistics
• Impact order management. Escalate when necessary
• Evening and weekend communication with overseas team members or suppliers occasionally required

Data Analytics

• Compile periodic performance reports, metrics, and presentations, and distribute them to stakeholders. Data accuracy is a must
• Compile a variety of reports for the Purchasing Team and train other buyers on the reports

Additional Responsibilities:

• Actively pursue and engage in projects and processes improvement opportunities
• Harvest and shepherd new cost-down and new sources to deliver savings to the company. Push information to the necessary owners (ex. Commodity Managers, Regional Sourcing Managers) and monitor to completion or exhaustion
• Train/mentor newer Buyer/Planners
• Manage multiple priorities with varying complexities and communicate with all levels of management
• Complete special projects and assignments as required

Qualifications: (Education, Experience, Personal Attributes)

1. Bachelor’s Degree required
2. Completed or working towards Master’s Degree or Supply Chain Certification preferred
3. Minimum 5 years of experience in Purchasing, Material Control or Related Fields
4. In-depth knowledge of ERP and/or material planning system required
5. Proficient in Microsoft Office
6. Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
7. Strong communication skills, both written and oral
8. Good follow-though skills with a strong sense of urgency required
9. Must be responsible, reliable, and self-motivated. Drive to improve processes and performance is essential
10. Keen attention to detail and accuracy
11. Customer Service driven
12. Willing to make infrequent overnight travel
13. Intimate with problem solving skills and comfortable leading a team