The primary responsibility for a Senior Buyer is the timely and cost-effective procurement of goods and services to support production plans throughout a procurement region, per designated commodities/categories. These activities include, but are not limited to the negotiations, maintenance, and execution of national, regional and/or local supplier agreements, as well as, facilitating team-based supplier selection and overall contract management. The incumbent will participate with applicable central commodity teams to develop effective procurement strategies to minimize total costs of category acquisitions then execute approved plans. The Senior Buyer will act as a commodity/category lead by means of leading projects and serving as a coach to Buyers and associated employees.
Gerdau seeks to disseminate the culture of sustainability throughout its value chain through partnership, communication, awareness and engagement initiatives. As part of this effort, when acquiring products and services, the incumbent should include social responsibility and inclusion by adhering to Gerdau’s principles in safety, ethics, culture, diversity, and community in all activities.
Annual Purchases: $20 - $110 million per year
Locations Supported: Monroe and Jackson Michigan
Commodity/Category Assignments: Multiple commodities/categories for assigned region
This position is responsible for purchasing goods and services in a timely, economical, and efficient manner. The Senior Buyer oversees all purchasing activities, maintenance, and execution of the procurement process to meet commercial, operating, and cost requirements. Incumbent will participate in the development of tactical plans for procurement, establishing and maintaining effective relations with the supplier base, and the active execution and implementation of national, regional and local supply contracts.
The incumbent should possess extensive knowledge of the steelmaking industry, manufacturing, industrial relations, logistics, procurement procedures, and the ability to analyze technical drawings. A bachelor’s degree in business administration, Engineering, Economics or related field or at least 10 years of direct procurement experience generating and implementing contracts, as well as, managing purchase orders, documenting negotiations, communications and accounting, taxes, and legal implications is required. A professional certification in procurement or supply chain management preferred.
The incumbent must be a self-starter, and possess strong skills in negotiations, communications, math, analysis and problem-solving. The incumbent must be able to function independently and as a member of a cross-functional team. High ethical standards, leadership and a strong work ethic are also key attributes. This position requires extensive knowledge of Quality Management Methodologies.
Incumbent should also poses key competencies that are critical to the position. This includes proven consistent high performance in previous positions, live Gerdau’s Principals, highly motivated by new challenges, effectively collaborates up and down the organization, values diversity & inclusion, demonstrates emotional intelligence in their everyday activities, and has an ownership mindset.
The position will require travel to complete job duties and maintain effective relationships with vendors, mill personnel, and industry organizations; approximately 10-20%.
- Maintain current and thorough knowledge of appropriate local markets and competitive practices as well as procurement systems, company information systems and other business applications.
- Conduct scheduling analysis to determine supply/demand conditions for the needs of the mills supplied. Adjusts quantities and expedites delivery schedules for purchases in accordance with monthly buying plans.
- Act as a liaison with the supplier community in order to establish and maintain market relationships.
- Monitor and maintain continuity of supply and on time delivery as well as physical, safety-related, and environmental aspects of materials purchased. Settle procurement discrepancies within management guidelines to maintain standards and ongoing supply chain activities.
- Collaborate with the procurement team to develop purchasing processes and to determine the best available costs, quality, reliability, continuity and delivery relative to the total cost of ownership.
- Execute purchase contracts in accordance with company policy and guidelines, verify purchase order details, and assure vendor performance. Review and assess vendor capabilities and past performance.
- Gather data, then report activities and regional results to central management, regional management, plant management, and internal customers to help control costs and identify savings opportunities. Occasional presentations will be made to management teams.
- Contribute to the reduction of inventory throughout the region by working with suppliers to monitor, regulate, and liquidate materials. Take corrective actions, when necessary, to support changing conditions in mill demand, supply chain dynamics, etc. Periodic evaluations of Inventory Min/Max levels.
- Assist in the development and achievement of process goals, Annual Action Plans, and the administration of established policies, procedures, and processes.
- Serve as a project lead on assignments across the Mills within designated commodity/category.
- Coordinates with the Central Procurement Team to manage the supply of production and non-production materials and working capital to optimize inventories while researching alternative sources of supply.
- Monitor the actual vs. planned usage of all production and non-production materials assigned to meet inventory targets and maintain consistent supply.
- Manage supply agreements between Central and Region keeping the agreements updated as to pricing, demand, balance and monitor Gerdau and Supplier performance to said agreements in order to ensure the continuity of supply and the commercial relationship.
- Train and communicate specifications, commercial terms and conditions, and safety & environmental compliance requirements to shippers and plant personnel.
- Facilitate sessions to communicate procurement improvement methodologies, tools, policies, practices, and processes to regional procurement teams.
- Support the Regional Procurement Manager with daily executions of procurement activities, including but not limited to: guiding and coaching team members in the areas of purchase order execution, expediting, supplier development, and non-conformance treatment.
- Implement the standardization and continual improvement of the procurement process and the attainment of other identified procurement Key Performance Indicators within the Gerdau Business Systems guidelines.
