Senior Buyer:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Develop and execute sourcing strategies to obtain the best prices, terms, and quality for materials, components, and services needed for manufacturing.

Lead supplier identification, evaluation, and selection processes to establish strong, reliable, and cost-effective supplier relationships.

Collaborate with senior leadership and production teams to understand long-term material needs and align procurement strategies with production goals.

Manage and maintain strong relationships with existing suppliers while identifying new suppliers to ensure competitive pricing, high-quality materials, and on-time delivery.

Negotiate favorable terms, contracts, and pricing with suppliers to ensure cost control and compliance with company standards.

Address supplier performance issues, including quality defects, delivery delays, and contract non-compliance, and implement corrective actions as necessary.

Communicate with vendors to verify order status, adjust order schedules, obtain return authorizations, maintain vendor approval status and obtain quotes for delivery and pricing as required.

Oversee inventory levels to ensure that materials are available to meet production schedules while minimizing excess inventory and storage costs.

Ensure inventory levels are in step with production requirements. Assist with control of material inventories, including physical inventories of customer-consigned materials, cycle counting activities and periodic physical inventories.

Prepare periodic reports of inventory levels and material usage for specified customers.

Work closely with production, planning, sales/customer service and logistics teams to align material requirements with production forecasts and schedules.

Use production plans, bills of material, stock status and other sources of data to determine requirements for material and other purchases.

Monitor material usage and consumption patterns to identify potential improvements in inventory management.

Develop and implement strategies to reduce procurement costs through supplier negotiations, alternative sourcing, and continuous market analysis.

Track and report on material costs, identifying opportunities for cost savings without compromising product quality or production timelines.

Assist with preparation of a wide range of periodic and special reports relating to purchasing/vendors, scheduling and customers and ensure all reporting initiatives are maintained and accurate.

Perform cost analysis and market trend evaluations to anticipate fluctuations and adjust procurement strategies accordingly.

Provide guidance and support to buyers, assisting with day-to-day operations, supplier negotiations, and procurement challenges.

Lead training initiatives for new buyers and assist in their professional development.

Act as a subject matter expert in procurement best practices, helping to refine and improve procurement processes within the team.

Partner with cross-functional teams, including production, engineering, sales/customer service, logistics, and quality control, to ensure timely and accurate procurement of materials.

Provide procurement support for new product development initiatives, including sourcing new materials and identifying suppliers that meet quality and cost standards.

Maintain Order Policies

Ensure that materials meet required specifications and quality standards, working with quality assurance teams to resolve any discrepancies.

Ensure compliance with all internal and external regulatory standards, ethical sourcing practices, and environmental considerations in procurement activities.

Maintain accurate records of procurement activities, contracts, and supplier agreements.

Provide accurate status reporting for incoming components at the production meetings.

Maintain purchasing department files for purchase orders and vendor approvals.

Communicate with various departments to determine material constraints, capacity limits, customer priorities and special requirements.

This role may require occasional travel to visit suppliers, attend industry events, or review manufacturing facilities.

Perform other related duties as directed by management.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Qualified candidates will have five plus years’ experience with procurement in a medical device and/or capital equipment, MRP/ERP manufacturing environment.

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, or a related field or equivalent work experience required.

Professional certification in procurement (e.g., CPSM, C.P.M., or MCIPS) is preferred.

Multiple commodities buying/sourcing experience preferred with strong negotiation skills.

Prior experience, knowledge in an FDA regulated environment preferred.

Good working knowledge of ISO 13485, FDA/QSR & CMDR preferred.

Self-starter with the desire and ability to take initiative on projects.

Must have the ability to work on multiple projects, ability to juggle many tasks simultaneously.

Direct and work effectively within a team setting.

Exceptional interpersonal skills, as well as being an excellent communicator, both verbally and in writing.