Regional Purchasing Agent

• Sun Gro Horticulture is one of the most prominent North American horticultural companies, employing over 800 staff and serving customers worldwide. Since its humble beginnings in 1929, it has become the leading supplier of soilless growing mixes to North America’s top 100 greenhouse and nursery growers, shipping over 70,000 truckloads of product annually. Sun Gro products are made to exacting standards and conform to high product quality and performance criteria.

• Sun Gro Horticulture recognizes that its success is due to the strength of its employees. A primary goal of Sun Gro® is to promote individual employees’ sense of accomplishment and contribution so that employees enjoy their association with Sun Gro Horticulture. The Company invests in its employees so that they are the most knowledgeable in the industry, and undertakes great efforts to nurture loyalty to, and teamwork at, Sun Gro.

• Lead region’s Purchasing Assistants in achieving;
  • Budgeted Cost targets
  • Delivery Volumes and Timeliness
  • Terms Improvements
  • Cost Reduction Opportunities
• The Regional Buyer / Planner manages budgetary spend for raw materials and expenses in full compliance of Sun Gro’s purchasing policy and programs.
• Will manage all procurement aspects of a Sun Gro facility as well as lead a regional team of site purchasing agents.
• Responsible for the management of regional source selections and execution of Corporate led supplier sourcing and global strategic initiatives.
• Products and services are to be secured at cost, quality and delivery competitive levels consistent with company policy.
• This position will be responsible for the execution plan at the site level for Sun Gro facilities driving volume spend programs associated with National and Regional programs.
• Responsible for the timely planning and delivery of raw material to support multiple site management of inventory control levels, MRO, capital equipment and efficient use of Sun Gro Nav ERP system.
• Proficient management of multi-site ERP / MRP platforms utilizing forecast and MRP data tools to drive raw material reloads, maintaining desired inventory flow and management in full support of forecasted and new sales opportunities. 

• Research, Interview both current and prospective suppliers to determine supply capabilities, capacity, transportation logistics inventory control and management, negotiate prices and delivery terms with guidance provided by Corporate Purchasing and site General Manager.
• Select, secure and analyze supplier quotations, negotiating price and terms with suppliers, recommending suppliers with respect to Cost, Quality and Delivery
• Effectivity utilize Sun Gro ERP systems to determine and maintain sku item level stocking, establish optimal reorder points for raw materials and oversee this process at other site responsible locations. 
• Responsible for initiation of purchase orders to secure raw materials and properly requisitioned MRO supplies through delivery and payment within Nav system.
• Visit potential suppliers, new facilities and qualify them through Sun Gro Supplier on boarding process.
• Provide leadership  in the resolution of any product, design, quality and or delivery problems.
• Coordinates as necessary any Quality matters or material change requests or issues between company and supplier, to include product return and credits.  
• Provide operational support to Safety and Quality teams as required.
• Provide regional support to Corporate Purchasing Manager with raw material sourcing, planning, forecasting and overall supplier development.
• Lead a team of Regional Purchasing agents provide guidance and leadership to fulfill all site level actives related to the Sun Gro procurement plan.
• Work in conjunction with site GM to provide annual(C & R) requirements tied to regional team focused objectives and personal development.
• Project member for all site capital improvement projects or replacement of aged or expiring leased equipment. Responsible for efficient project capital budget and all purchases associated with approved CEA (Capital spend.)

• Strong customer focus - includes the ability to balance the needs of the customer with the needs of the business as well as fostering a strong customer focus mindset.
• Strong Fact Based Decision Making skills – supports decisions with data and uses data to solve problems
• Ability to Establish Plans – set clear, measureable goals, anticipating roadblocks and adjusts for problems, can accurate assess the length and difficulty of tasks.
• Change Champion – able to communicate changes, remove obstacles and understand who needs to be involved in driving changes.
• Strong execution skills – monitors progress to ensure achievement of goals, coordinate with other work groups.

• Supply Chain Awareness - Influence other parts of the business to value supply chain as integral and strategically important and communicates clear understanding of key business drivers and interdependencies.
• Influence Others - Can negotiate skillfully in tough situations with both internal and external groups.  Can win concessions without damaging relationships.
• Business Process Orientation - Gains strategic process alignment across functions consistent with corporate strategies and goals.  Challenges status quo to eliminate non-value added work and continuously
• Fosters Teamwork – values all employee’s contributions, involving team in decisions that affect them and discourages “we” vs. “them” attitude.
• improve processes
• Financial Management
• Ethical Conduct
• Proficiency with MRP
• Project Management
• Communication Proficiency
• Negotiating and Supplier Relationship Management
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Manage and offer improvements to site Procure to Pay process
• Review all Sun Gro process for efficiency and recommend improvements.
• Positive “Can Do” attitude
• Proficient in Microsoft Office
• NAV operating software.

• BA degree preferred or two to five years of related procurement experience
• Production, manufacturing experience.
• Previous team leadership experience desired.

• This job is in an office environment, requiring the use of standard office equipment, computers, phones, scan / copy and filing.
• This position is a sedentary office role, some occasion filing and lifting of office products and supplies up to 20 pounds.
• Travel is primarily local during business days, although some out of area and overnight travel may be expected.

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