BUYER

About the Role

The Buyer is responsible for procuring necessary materials, components, and/or sub-assemblies at the minimum total cost to manufacture products. This role involves negotiating for and procuring a variety of assigned commodities, including those that are non-standard or of a technical nature. The Buyer will develop suppliers to meet quality, delivery, and cost requirements while maintaining assigned inventory levels.

Key Responsibilities

• Evaluate prices, specifications, delivery dates, award bids, and place orders with suppliers.
• Prepare purchasing documentation and verify specifications of purchasing requisitions.
• Develop expertise on the procurement of commodities and related products and components that support JC Ford requirements.
• Execute supplier rationalization plans and support transitions to existing and/or new suppliers.
• Support negotiation and execution of commercial agreements to reach the lowest total cost, including terms to mitigate economic and currency fluctuations as appropriate for assigned commodities (e.g., long-term agreements, make/buy, market tests).
• Support, and when required, lead cost reduction projects and improvement initiatives to achieve overall business objectives.
• Update and maintain purchase orders in the MRP system for changes in design and delivery requirements.
• Balance current and future demand requirements with supplier capabilities/capacities to ensure on-time delivery of purchased parts.
• Analyze data, including enterprise requirements and planning information, and prepare reports as needed to facilitate and recommend actions for optimal supply chain execution.
• Evaluate supplier performance requirements, including quality, cost, and delivery expectations.
• Work with suppliers for improved quality, on-time delivery, lead time, and price performance. Regularly evaluate these metrics with critical suppliers and report results to JC Ford management.
• Comply with plant safety procedures to ensure a safe environment.
• Comply with Quality System requirements, and Supply Chain and Purchasing procedures.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• MRP system
• Supply chain procedures
• Purchasing procedures

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree (B.A. or B.S.) in a Business or Engineering discipline from a four-year, accredited college or university, or equivalent experience.
• Supply Chain certification highly desirable.

Experience and Background

• Working knowledge of commodities purchased, supply sources, contracting methods and strategies, and Company products and components.
• Direct experience sourcing/purchasing raw materials, such as, but not limited to round bar and sheet metal.
• Capacity to logically solve problems and manage projects by utilizing a data-driven, detail-oriented approach.
• Analytical ability to prepare supplier performance reports, cost/price analyses, and other performance measures.
• Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills to communicate effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to work well with others and to participate in and/or lead a cross-functional team.
• Proven use of negotiation techniques and tactics.
• Ability to drive for results, hold self accountable, and continuously improve.

Physical Requirements

The majority of the job function is performed in an office setting requiring normal safety precautions, but the job will also require from time to time to visit the production floor and in the warehouse.