A Brief Summary of This Posi􀆟on:
This is an individual contributor posi􀆟on responsible for procurement of assigned items, planning, coordina􀆟ng and reviewing
ac􀆟vi􀆟es related to an assigned commodity, and inventory management with the goal of sa􀆟sfying customer requirements. The
Buyer commits funds, makes strategic business decisions and operates as the liaison between the assigned business and
procurement of those commodi􀆟es. This posi􀆟on is accountable for inventory levels of raw materials and will use exis􀆟ng tools,
or create queries, to assist in the management of such as well as par􀆟cipa􀆟ng in company objec􀆟ves (Lean) and con􀆟nuing
professional development. This posi􀆟on is performed with minimal direct supervision. The Buyer generates quota􀆟ons, expedites
and places purchase orders according to exis􀆟ng strategy and previously nego􀆟ated prices in addi􀆟on to sourcing poten􀆟al new
suppliers. On assigned items, all Engineering Change No􀆟ces, invoicing discrepancies, shortages, quality issues, inventory analysis
and supplier analysis will be handled by this employee.
Essen􀆟al Func􀆟ons:
 Responsible for making effec􀆟ve and 􀆟mely decisions to resolve material shortages in produc􀆟on
 Achievement of outstanding internal customer sa􀆟sfac􀆟on and maintenance of rela􀆟onships between the supply base and
Valmont Industries, Inc.
 Responsible for efficiently and economically ensuring the 􀆟mely delivery of purchased material for divisional produc􀆟on and
related support func􀆟ons consistent with divisional inventory policy
 Responsible for preparing Return Goods Orders and the disposi􀆟on of rejected material to closure
 Responsible for maintaining a professional working relationship with suppliers, Maintenance, Manufacturing and other
Purchasing personnel
 Resolves problems related in invoicing receipts, acknowledgements, material shortages, delinquencies and certifications
with vendors, divisional and corporate personnel
 Follow up on Requisitions to create purchase orders (P.O.) for assigned items and verifies supplier receipt of the P.O.
 Expedites delivery of past due or moved-up purchase orders for specified suppliers – records any date revisions in system
 Contact suppliers to resolve shipment discrepancies or quality issues
 Provides metrics and delivers scorecard data collaborating with suppliers regarding quality, on-time delivery, cos􀆟ng &
customer experience performance
 Obtain quotations for new items from approved suppliers
 Nego􀆟ate process changes with supplier that will result in lower purchase prices
 Analyze on-hand levels, reorder levels, and reorder quantities for assigned items, making necessary database changes or
recommendations to correct problem items
 Analyze delivery issues and adjust database as required for assigned items
 Devise purchasing procedures to improve service and/or reduced cost
 Ability to work outside in all seasons and tolerate various elements within plant such as dust and fumes
 Ability to climb stairs and wear necessary PPE in production facilites
Other Important Details about the Role:
 Assists the Project Procurement Specialist in identify make vs buy decisions.
 Provides sourcing assistance in mee􀆟ng needs of production in the case of a major shutdown.
 Assist Accounts Payable in Timely credit/debit reconciliation
 Act as a backup for other Buyers and Senior Buyers
 Develop a deeper understanding of production requirement data and how to properly respond to the stated requirements
 Participate in Lean initiative events such as inventory carrying costs, Kanban, consignment, floor stock
 Assist Corporate Purchasing in supplier consolidation efforts
 Conduct studies of material costs and supplier services and recommend change in cross-train Associate Buyers for job
specific functions (Drop Ship Orders, Off-site Orders, etc.)
Required Qualifications of Every Candidate (Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities):
 Preferred Bachelors in relevant field or Associates Degree with 2+ years of experience or 3+ years of relevant quality
experience. One year of purchasing experience within a manufacturing or fabrication environment.
 Professional work experience with contract management and negotiations
 The ability to travel domestically up to 5% of the scheduled work time
 Fluent Spanish and English Oral and Writen communication / business level.
 Ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals and effectively present information and respond
to questions from groups of managers.
 The ability to analyze data and make informed decisions
 Knowledge, confidence and flexibility to handle several ac􀆟vi􀆟es simultaneously and be able to perform effectively under
pressure
 Strong knowledge of ERP system, Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Internet browsers and plant IT programs.
 Excellent customer service and Detail-oriented organizational skills
 Passion and integrity who has the drive to excel and deliver exceptional results
Highly Qualified Candidates Will Also Possess These Qualifications:
 Proficient in IFS knowledge / usage.
 Five (5) years of experience in a purchasing/supply chain role
 Previous experience in sales, operations, operations planning, master scheduling, production planning, inventory control or
production control within an MRP/ERP environment
 Apics’ (C.P.I.M.) Certified in Production and Inventory Management
 Previous work experience evaluating the integrity and reliability of business systems
 Experience analyzing data to minimize inventory and adjust system data to support determinations
 Excellent communication, organizational, analytical and interpersonal skills
 Strong mathematical aptitude
 A comprehensive knowledge and understanding of Lean theory management and material requirements planning (MRP)
 Professional work experience with inventory and current production activity control techniques, steel capabilities and
applications, development and use of data query, and product produced
 An understanding of production requirement data and the ability to properly respond to the stated requirements
 The ability to resolve problems related to invoices, receipts, acknowledgements, material shortages, delinquencies and
certifications by interacting with vendors, appropriate divisional departments or corporate purchasing personnel
 The ability to effectively and professionally communicate with various levels of internal and external shareholders