PURPOSE OF POSITION: 

The Senior Buyer is responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and purchasing materials, goods, and services to meet the company's operational requirements. This role plays a crucial part in ensuring cost-effectiveness and maintaining high standards of quality for all purchases. In addition to external suppliers, this position interacts with internal stakeholders such as Engineering, Quality, Customer Service, and Program Management.  

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

• Understand & interpret demand requirements to make strategic and informed procurement decisions. 

• Analyze, understand and quantify risks to the supply chain. Develop mitigation plans and present options to senior management. 

• Manage procurement activities including issuing of purchase orders, expediting orders, and resolving discrepancies. 

• Engage and oversee projects with internal and external stakeholders to drive continuous improvement of the procurement process  

• Collaborate with internal departments to understand their purchasing needs, resolve supply challenges and improve material availability 

• Analyze vendor performance based on quality, delivery, and price as well as other pertinent data to maintain a strong and sustainable supply chain. Make timely recommendations using data to support timely supply chain decisions. 

• Coordinate nonconformance issues with internal teams and suppliers in a timely manner 

• Interface with vendors and build relationships to maintain a high level of support and through all aspects of the procurement process 

• Perform other duties which may be required by supervisor. 

SUPERVISION OF PERSONNEL: 

• None 

COMPETENCIES: 

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills 

• Exceptional organizational skills 

• Ability to engage and collaborate with all levels of the organization 

• Ability to effectively drive continuous improvement initiatives 

• Fundamental understanding of Lean principles 

• Technical and company product curiosity 

• Ethical Conduct 

• Time Management 

• Business Acumen 

• Decision Making 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: 

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Supply Chain or Operations Management from a four-year college or university. 

• At least 5 years of purchasing/buying experience in a manufacturing environment. 

PHYSICAL/MENTAL/ENVIRONMENTAL: 

Physical Demands: 

Activities: Sitting – 70% Walking/Standing – 30% 

Lifting: Occasionally lift up to 10lbs. 

Vision: Long periods of close work. 

Mental Demands: Interpret, analyze and handle multiple tasks simultaneously. 

Environment: Climate controlled office space.