Job Title: Buyer
Department: Supply Chain - Operations
Reports To: Director, Supply Chain - SOR CG
FLSA Status: Exempt / Salary
SUMMARY
The Buyer is responsible for administering commodity cost reduction programs, sourcing high-quality materials and services, managing quotations and purchase order placement, improving supplier relations, and supporting departmental and organizational objectives.
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
-
Global Sourcing: Develops new sources of supply for selected commodities, materials, parts, and services in order to continually improve SOR’s profitability through decreasing cost and improving on-hand inventory value. Sourcing solutions will include a thorough analysis of cost, lead time, taxes, duties, freight, carrying costs, etc.
-
Supplier Agreements: Negotiates long-term purchase agreements and blanket purchase orders with suppliers to ensure consistent supply of parts and materials at a competitive price. Reviews supplier performance monthly to ensure pricing, inventory levels, and other factors of the agreement are being upheld. Works to maintain and improve supplier relations.
-
Strategic Planning: Assists in the development of short- and long-range procurement strategies that ensure the quality, cost, and delivery objectives of the company are successfully supported.
-
Inventory Analysis: Analyzes inventory, safety stock levels, and component usage reports. Recommends changes in inventory safety stock levels in order to meet inventory reduction goals while avoiding stock-outs.
-
Purchasing Process Analysis: Analyzes purchasing process from order trigger to receipt of product. Suggests process changes to eliminate waste and to improve through-put and efficiency.
-
Commodity Assignments: Manages the procurement process for assigned commodity responsibilities.
-
Quality: Adheres to regulatory procedures and requirements of SOR and the Supply Chain Management group.
-
Meetings: Attends daily focus-factory production meetings to report on part issues. Receives information regarding future production plans and parts requirements. Participates in cross-functional project teams as a representative of the Supply Chain team.
-
Non-Conforming Material: Discusses defective or unacceptable goods with suppliers and makes required disposition.
-
Physical Inventory: Assists in the execution of our end of year physical inventory audit.
-
All other duties and responsibilities assigned by the Director of Supply Chain Management.
-
Maintains cooperative working relationship with company employees.
REQUIRED SKILLS
-
Strong understanding of technical and process aspects of assigned commodities.
-
Proven ability to research, qualify, and develop alternate sources of supply.
-
Knowledgeable in market research, data analysis, and purchasing best practices.
-
Effective contributor to cross-functional teams.
-
Proficient in data analysis using Microsoft Excel (spreadsheets, charts, graphs).
-
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
-
Skilled in negotiation, tact, diplomacy, and persuasive communication.
-
Knowledge of planning techniques, negotiation tactics, and procurement policies.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
-
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
-
Ability to write concise reports and business correspondence.
-
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from management, staff, and suppliers.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
-
Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference.
-
Ability to apply concepts such as percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
-
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, divide, fractions, decimals and the ability to read and interpret data tables and graphs.
COMPETENCY STATEMENTS
-
Personal Attitude and Integrity – Displays a positive attitude regarding work and co-workers.
-
Judgment/Decision Making – Makes thoughtful decisions and accepts accountability.
-
Dependability – Meets work standards and attendance requirements of the position.
-
Quality – Actively supports SOR quality standards.
-
Problem Solving/Implementation – Handles varying workload requirements, manages change effectively, and organizes tasks in a logical sequence.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
This position requires punctual attendance and the ability to work scheduled hours including overtime when necessary.
Physical activities include:
-
Frequently standing, walking, handling/fingering (up to 66% of the time)
-
Occasionally lifting/carrying up to 50 lbs (depending on the task)
-
Occasional reaching outward and above shoulder level
-
No climbing, crawling, squatting/kneeling, or bending required
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements:
REQUIRED TRAINING
All required training is determined by the department supervisor and/or manager. Procedures critical to this position may be identified as such on the Department Training Matrixes, which are maintained by the Human Resources Department.
REASONABLE ACCOMODATION STATEMENT
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
COMPANY STATEMENT
The Company has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee’s ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors/managers as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and the Company reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the Company may deem appropriate.
SOR INC is an Equal Opportunity Employer
