Buyer III

Company / Location Information

A.O. Smith is a global leader applying innovative technologies and energy-efficient solutions to products manufactured and marketed worldwide. The company is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of residential and commercial water heating equipment and boilers, as well as a manufacturer of water treatment products for residential and light commercial applications. A. O. Smith is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with approximately 12,000 employees at operations in the United States, Canada, China, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

Primary Function

This position is responsible for planning and coordinating material flow to support production at the AOS sites, while maintaining effective supplier relationships to ensure the best overall cost, quality, and delivery performance. The role partners cross-functionally to align demand, inventory, and supply plans, and maintains ongoing correspondence with suppliers to resolve quality issues, delivery concerns, and other supply disruptions.

Responsibilities

Develop/maintain supply plans to support production requirements, including review of demand signals, forecasts, and schedule changes.

Create, analyze, and maintain material requirements (MRP) inputs/outputs to ensure correct planning parameters (lead times, MOQ, safety stock, lot sizes) are accurate and effective.

Coordinate with NAWH Procurement on pricing/terms as needed by providing volume, demand, and inventory data to support sourcing and cost decisions.

Maintain ongoing correspondence with suppliers.

Plan/release purchase order/blanket order releases in accordance with the approved production plan and material requirements.

Support invoice resolution by validating receipts and pricing alignment and coordinating with AP to clear discrepancies.

Coordinate MRO replenishment planning as assigned, ensuring stocking levels and service levels support site needs.

Confirm timely and complete receipts against production requirements; investigate and resolve shortages, overages, and late deliveries.

Track supplier on-time delivery and quality performance; communicate issues, maintain documentation, and drive recovery plans with suppliers.

Manage inventory to achieve service, accuracy, and inventory turns targets through proactive planning, parameter maintenance, and exception management.

Plan, coordinate, and communicate blanket/purchase order releases and schedule updates to support production requirements and capacity constraints.

Maintain inventory levels and safety stock settings in alignment with inventory turns goals, lead times, and demand variability.

Drive root cause analysis and corrective action with suppliers and internal stakeholders when quality or delivery performance is non-compliant.

Maintain ethical and compliant supplier interactions and ensure communication and documentation meet company and regulatory expectations.

Maintain system data required for planning and execution and support ordering and invoice payment workflows.

Build alliances across departments (Production, Engineering, Quality, NAWH Purchasing, Logistics, Finance) to align priorities and resolve constraints.

Measure and monitor supplier performance in on-time delivery, lead-time adherence, and cost of poor quality; communicate trends and corrective actions.

Coordinate dispute resolution with suppliers related to shortages, damaged goods, quality defects, delivery failures, and related credits/debits.

Coordinate returns of non-compliant merchandise in conjunction with Quality and the supplier, including required documentation and replacement timing.

Continuously evaluate supply and planning options to improve service levels, reduce shortages, and optimize total delivered cost (with NAWH Purchasing).

Collaborate in the selection of suppliers and subcontractors according to company procedures, providing planning inputs.

Develop and/or improve planning, analytics, and systems skills vital for business growth.

Anticipate and adapt to change by re-planning quickly in response to demand shifts, constraints, and supplier performance.

Ensure internal/external customer satisfaction through high plan adherence, clear communication, and timely issue escalation.

Work toward meeting department and company objectives such as inventory reduction, improved schedule attainment, and reduced expedites.

Other responsibilities may be assigned as needed.

Qualifications

College degree in Business preferred

Minimum five (10) years’ or related work experience in a manufacturing environment

ADDITONAL QUALIFICATIONS

1. 1. Proven record of cost reduction results
   2. Ability to communicate effectively in French and English
   3. High level of skill with the Microsoft Office Programs, Word, Excel, PowerPoint,
   4. Strong, self-directed, and results oriented
   5. Experience with SAP is useful but not required

We Offer

• Stable, well-established organization with a strong market presence
• Global company with strong brand recognition and long term stability
• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits, including:
  • Medical and dental insurance
  • Company sponsored life insurance
  • Retirement savings plan
  • Tuition assistance

AODA Statement

A.O. Smith Enterprises Ltd welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. For more information please contact Human Resources or access our Accessibility Plan at