Strategic Buyer

Job Responsibility: Job Title: Strategic Buyer Department: Procurement Reports To: Purchasing Manager FLSA Status: Exempt Approved By: B. Steinlage Summary Under the supervision of the Purchasing Manager, the Strategic Buyer analyzes customer demand of products during implementation of new business projects, initiates actions to procure needed materials within the project timeline, places initial purchase orders, expedites product as needed, manages supplier relationships and related data files including supplier pricing, and performs other routine purchasing duties. Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

• Collaborate with sales and support staff to quote and implement new business opportunities.
• Research inventory records to determine if parts on hand are in sufficient or excess quantities; develops action plans to rebalance the demand versus supply position.
• Develop and maintain pricing analysis on Parts Assortment for key segments - EV/Automotive, Rail, Agriculture, Medical, Industrial, etc. as assigned.
• Purchase the correct quality merchandise at the lowest possible price and in correct amounts delivered at the right time.
• Prepare purchase orders, solicit bid proposals, and review requests for order for goods and services.
• Performs schedule maintenance based on project timeline developments.
• Research and evaluate suppliers based on price, quality, selection, service, support availability, reliability, production and distribution capabilities, and the supplier's reputation and history.
• Develop and manage supplier relationships
• Maintains appropriate records to support material acquisition decision and to perform related analyses as needed.
• Performs such other tasks and special projects as may be assigned from time to time by the unit manager.
• Use a combination of internal tools and reports, while communicating with Sales, support staff, and suppliers, to effectively expedite the delivery of product.
• Manage Supplier Reject Notice with assigned customer projects to enable a timely disposition of non-conforming product.
• Manage cost accountability process related to assigned implementation projects
• Monitor and follow applicable laws and regulations.
• Negotiate, or renegotiate, and administer contracts with suppliers, vendors and other representatives.
• Utilizes analytics, metrics, and market testing to ensure competitive pricing and appropriate quality level of products for related projects.
• Monitor shipments to ensure that goods come in on time, and in the event of problems trace shipments and follow up on undelivered goods.
• Confer with staff, users, and vendors to discuss defective or unacceptable goods or services and determine corrective action.
• Evaluate and monitor contract performance to ensure compliance with contractual obligations and to determine need for changes.
• Review catalogs, industry periodicals, directories, trade journals, and internet sites, and consult with other departments personnel to locate necessary goods and services.
• Interview vendors and visit suppliers' plants to examine and learn about products, services, and prices.
• Process Corrective Actions related to assigned job duties.
• Manage and process PPAP's and PPW'S.
• Other duties may be assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities This job has no supervisory responsibilities. Competencies To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Adaptability - Maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or the work environment; adjusting effectively to work within new work structures; processes, requirements or cultures.
• Building Strategic Working Relationships - Developing and using collaborative relationships to facilitate the accomplishment of work goals.
• Energy - Consistently maintaining high levels of activity or productivity; sustaining long working hours when necessary; operating with vigor, effectiveness, and determination over extended periods of time.
• Ethics - Treats people with respect; Upholds organizational values.
• Innovation - Generating innovative solutions in work situations; trying different and novel ways to deal with work problems and opportunities
• Managing Work (includes Time Management) - Effectively managing one's time and resources to ensure that work is completed efficiently.
• Negotiation - Effectively exploring alternatives and positions to reach outcomes that gain the support and acceptance of all parties.
• Quality Orientation - Accomplishing tasks by considering all areas involved, no matter how small; showing concern for all aspects of the job accurately checking processes and tasks; being watchful over a period of time.
• Technical/professional Knowledge & Skills - having achieved a satisfactory level of technical & professional skill or knowledge in position-related areas; keeping up with current developments and trends in areas of expertise.

Education and/or Experience Bachelor's degree with 2-5 years' experience is desired or equivalent combination of education and experience. Language Skills Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write reports & business correspondence. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, employees of the organization, and the general public. Mathematical Skills Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, and percentages. Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate and percent. Ability to draw and interpret bar graphs. Reasoning Ability Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagram from. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. Computer/System Skills To perform this job successfully, an individual should have Intermediate knowledge of:

• Microsoft Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Outlook
• Company Specific Programs

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Current valid driver's license

Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The Essential Duties and Responsibilities listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Travel Requirements Travel may be required Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, and walk; use hands and fingers to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, or crouch; and talk and hear. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 15 pounds and occasionally up to or over 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus. Work Environment The work environment characteristic described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The work conditions are that of a normal office setting. The noise level in the work environment can range from quiet to moderate.

Education

• Bachelors or better in Business Administration

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)