Buyer

About the Client

Our colleagues client, based in Buffalo, N.Y., is a leading, award-winning contract manufacturer of single-use medical devices, serving the global marketplace for more than 40 years. With manufacturing locations in the U.S., Ireland, and Mexico, the company provides innovative technical solutions and manufacturing services for leading Fortune 500 med-tech companies and high potential start-ups. The mission is to change the lives of patients, employees, and the communities in which they work.

Job Summary

Coordinates activities involved with procuring goods and services such as raw materials, equipment, tools, parts, supplies, and advertising. This position follows through with rejected materials and supplies and supports production needs at the new job level. Responsible for focusing on inventory levels, cost controls, quality, and on-time deliveries for the company by performing the following duties.

Job Duties

• Evaluates multiple MRP reports for scheduling of raw materials. Coordinates and schedules the delivery with suppliers. Provides suppliers with proper specifications, blueprints, and shipping instructions.
• Manages the expeditious procurement of commodities assigned. Monitors that materials are delivered within the established time frame with required documentation, at the predetermined price, and are of acceptable quality as required by the component specification.
• Escalates to management any potential line disruptions and works to prevent material-related line down situations.
• Works with the Supply Chain team to determine material requirements, creates purchase orders/blanket purchase orders, creates customer orders, KanBan releases, expedites, and de-expedites material as required. Completes all these tasks in a manner that supports the client’s goal to satisfy on-time delivery targets, increase inventory turns, and reduce inventory dollars.
• Assists in maintaining KanBan system and PFEP process and auditing.
• Enters and maintains ERP system with supplier pricing information, delivery dates, etc.
• Within the company Standard Operating Procedures (SOP - e.g., QA.005), will approve suppliers based on company-defined qualifications. Maintains and updates our quality file system against supplier surveys, specification acceptance, and quote packages.
• Participates in the Supply Chain activities, managing the purchasing systems and functions for defective and discrepant materials, will disposition materials and contact suppliers for resolution.
• Seeks out the best possible sources of supply based on price, quantity, service, and reliability. May visit vendor facilities to aid in the establishment of the most suitable sources of supply. Places special or rush orders.
• Oversees the flow of MRO purchases. Generates annual contracts for specified products such as office needs, miscellaneous production supplies, and maintenance agreements.
• Conducts studies and analyses on areas of potential savings or increased efficiency. Develops the most economical order quantities and inventory levels of raw materials. Prepares reports and/or makes presentations to effectively institute change when necessary in accordance with company policies.
• Acts as subject matter expert for the Supply Chain Department.
• In fulfilling the requirements of this position, the candidate will be expected to travel to suppliers as needed while fulfilling this position's responsibilities.
• Demonstrates the client’s core values of honesty, integrity, and respect.
• Other duties as assigned.

Analysis/Problem Solving

• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, diagram, or schedule form.

Communication

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents.
• Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.
• Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.

Skills/Technical Skills

• A working knowledge of MRP and ISO standards.
• Computer literacy and working knowledge of traditional PC-based software such as Microsoft Office.
• Ability to apply basic algebra and geometry when calculating figures and amounts for discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.
• Communication skills.
• Negotiation/relationship building skills.
• Requires above average people skills ability and placing the customers' needs as a high priority. Sensitivity to customer requirements, both external and internal.
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.

Education

• Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from a four-year college or university.
• MBA preferred.