POSITION BACKGROUND/PROFILE:
Located on site at the Auburn, ME facilities, the Senior Buyer assists in the management of all direct and indirect spend at the site, as well as the relationship between the purchasing organization and the facility manufacturing operations. This position will provide strategic thinking and expertise operations, material cost management, supply continuity, strategic sourcing and execution of projects. Excellent stakeholder management, crisis mitigation and influencing skills are critical to success.
The Senior Buyer will help drive the facility procurement performance, working with the commodity buyers team for direct materials, developing knowledge of local requirements and suppliers for subcontracting, and being heavily involved with the Indirect material buyers and Supplier Quality activities to ensure follow up and implementation at facility level.
KEY ACTIVITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
Strategy Planning and Standard Development
- Interface with the Facility and Procurement organization for all Direct and Indirect material related matters, including Supplier Quality
- Partner with operations to provide the necessary raw materials to support the production schedule.
- Analyze data, review negotiated prices and terms, and work with suppliers to maintain existing, and develop new, long-term partnerships with our vendors.
- Implement cost-effective processes to increase transactional efficiencies and decrease overall costs.
- Support Program Procurement activities (quoting, sourcing, contracting) for local commodities and suppliers.
- Work to achieve and maintain identified KPIs to improve performance results, reduce expenses and improve effectiveness.
- Price and market trend analysis
- Provide cost and scenario analysis, and benchmarking
- Proactively research and establish contacts with potential new vendors to develop additional suppliers.
- Provide critical role in a productive and engaged team through effective coaching, priority setting, performance management, and talent management.
Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
- An ability to work within a team environment and help the team become better.
- Experience facilitating the improvement of the planning and forecasting processes for raw materials.
- Clear understanding of forecasting, materials operations, planning, and inventory control in a lean manufacturing environment.
- Self-starter with integrity and confidence who strives to achieve even the most challenging objectives with limited supervision.
- Must be comfortable using information and systems to utilize data and technology to make decisions and improve performance.
- Results-oriented professional able to solve problems and implement change.
- Commodity based sourcing experience with an interest in international market dynamics
- Demand forecasting, inventory and supply management
- USMCA knowledge a plus
- Material process systems (SAP) experience preferred.
- Experience in a lean manufacturing environment preferred.
- Ability to communicate and interface effectively with all levels of employees, leadership and vendors.
- Demonstrated performance record in managing complex materials spreadsheets and tracking mechanisms.
- Strong demonstrated experience using MS Office software packages including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook. High emphasis on use of excel, and needing exceptional ability to operate. (Ex: Vlookup, pivots, etc)
- Ability to interpret and follow basic instructions and /or procedures.
- High motivation level and commitment to maintaining production schedules.
- Critical thinking and negotiation skills.
- Strong communications skills, both written and verbal.
- High degree of organization.
- Ability to professionally represent the company externally. Exhibiting strong positive behavioral skills, with high regards to being outgoing, polite, respectful, and honest.
Education/Experience
- Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or equivalent
- 5-8 years sourcing in an industrial environment (commodities like copper, aluminum, and steel preferred)
Salary: $75k - $100k commensurate with experience.
Benefits:
Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance available on day 1
Retirement Benefits - 401K available to set up and contribute after 6 months of employment (3% Company Contribution – Even If You Do Not Contribute. Company Match of 75% Of Your Contribution Up To 6%).
