Plant Buyer

POSITION PURPOSE

The Plant Buyer, BAC Dayton is a key member of the Dayton, Tennessee Supply Chain Team. This role manages the MRP process by purchasing production components used in the manufacturing process. This role will oversee the purchase of MRO equipment, materials used throughout the facility for Baltimore Aircoil and Coil Design. This role analyzes price, quality and delivery while ensuring continuity of supply using time-bound metrics to monitor supplier performance.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Owns personal and team safety. Observes all safety rules and uses the proper safety equipment at all times.
• Analyze, prepare & distribute purchase orders to meet Just-In-Time delivery of material on a level delivery schedule. (Right part, right place, right time).
• Coordinate, communicate & resolve part shortages with Plant Leadership.
• Use root cause analysis to determine the cause of material shortages; develop, recommend and implement actions to resolve. (PDCA, Gantt Chart).
• Negotiate price and terms from a position of high information.
• Establish optimal stocking levels and execute ordering strategy.
• Direct & control correspondence concerning over-shipments, delivery shortages, changes in quantity, delivery dates and prices.
• Act as liaison between suppliers and plant stakeholders to resolve procurement issues.
• Process non-conforming material requests and RMA requests with supply chain partners.
• Maintain appropriate inventory levels consistent with targeted inventory goals and as set by management.
• Maintain accuracy of stock code information within ERP / MRP system.
• Ensure inventory parameters are maintained by monitoring minimum, maximum, safety, lead time and current inventory levels.
• Key facilitator in cycle counts, month end reporting metrics & overall inventory accuracy.
• Monitor supplier performance KPI’s. Coordinate supplier escalation as needed with those suppliers that fail to meet BAC deliverable expectations.
• Negotiates pricing for blanket agreements, annual contracts and supplier support programs.
• Research and evaluate areas of opportunity and reduce costs where possible.
• Deliver briefs, updates and reports as and when required.
• Develop creative and innovative procurement processes.
• Stay current and up to date on any changes that may affect the supply and demand of needed products and materials and advise others of any impact.
• Update others on issues or concerns, in particular when there is a risk which could prevent the organization meeting customer demands.
• Ensure individual activities embrace sustainability, reduce the impact on the environment, minimize waste, maximize recycling, minimize energy and water usage.
• Support a culture of innovation through original thinking to improve processes, methods, systems or services; translates new ideas into business opportunities.

NATURE & SCOPE

The Buyer is a member of the Purchasing team and partners and offers mentorship to purchasing team members. Requires significant interaction with all levels of the organization. May participate in, or lead cross functional teams representing local and / or regional initiatives.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

• Bachelor's degree (Business, Operations Management, Accounting), or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in logistics, supply planning, procurement.
• APICS certification in Production and Inventory Management preferred.
• Experience in production planning using ERP and MRP systems.
• Experience with SAP a plus.
• Proven purchasing experience, preferably within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience negotiating contractual items with suppliers including: price, terms, VMI, etc.
• Demonstrated use of Root Cause Analysis tools, Lean Manufacturing Methods and JIT concepts.
• Analytical thinking demonstrated by the ability to solve problems using a logical, systematic, and sequential approach.
• Strong collaboration skills with proven ability to build and maintain partnerships.
• Strong organizational skills with a bias toward action.
• Effective oral communication skills including giving group presentations, contributing to teams, as well as one on one interactions with stake holders and employees.
• Effective written communication skills including the ability to produce professional documents, emails, and presentations that are concise, persuasive, and informative.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills including charting, graphing, and analysis functions in Excel, advanced level user of Word to create documentation, policy, procedures and shared resources, and the generation of compelling training and communications in PowerPoint.
• Working knowledge of the legal aspects of procurement and contract law.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
• Strong negotiation, communication, interpersonal and influencing skills.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. The position is predominantly an office function and has exposures consistent with an office role with extended periods seated, standing, walking, and entering information on a computer. While performing this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and walk up to 25% of the time. This position requires occasional lifting up to 30 pounds and travel up to 10% of the time. Responsibilities of the job require regular interaction with the production floor. Exposures include elevated noise levels associated with a manufacturing environment, fluctuations in temperature ambient conditions as well as intermittent exposure to the weather in and about the yard and dock areas. The job is a Monday through Friday daytime role, however availability is expected for any of the three operating shifts to support people needs.