Buyer

Responsible for scheduling materials & managing inventory levels, supporting hot tub production at our spa manufacturing plant in Tijuana, MX. Negotiates and contracts the purchase of raw materials and/or other unprocessed goods, machinery, equipment, tools, parts, other supplies, and services necessary for the operation of the Organization.

A.      Schedule materials to support spa build plan and demand.

B.      Ongoing review of supply and demand requirements, buying what we need / when we need it.

• Issue forecast demand signals to supply base.
• Issue PO’s to support MPR signals / manage inventory $’s to target levels.
• Maintain accurate delivery dates / quantities in KBM.
• Expedite orders to support “pull in” requests.
• Issue timely cancelations or push out requests, where appropriate.
• Monitor suppliers on time delivery performance.
• Monthly review of “fails”, root cause and CAP to prevent repeat fails.
• Issue long rage blanket orders where appropriate (to cover CNY etc.).
• Develop understanding of all relevant purchasing/logistic computer systems to manage day-to-day activities such as open POs, inventory, MRP reports, supplier reports, etc.

C.      Optimize inventory levels and IB freight cost:

• DFC: maintain 15-30 days forward coverage.
• MOQ: identify MOQ’s that drive greater than 30 DFC, work with sourcing to reduce.
• Safety stock: on-going “scrub” to ensure we have appropriate SS levels.
• IB freight: schedule delivery frequency, balancing cost / with availability.
• KBM: on-going “scrub” of KBM, to ensure data accuracy.

D.     Drive continuous improvement projects to induce supply chain velocity & flexibility.

• Implement inventory agreements, across 80% of supply base (PULL, VMI, WH agreements)
• ID supply base localization opportunities, work with Sourcing to implement.
• Long range capacity planning with strategic vendors / high risk supply chain.
• Identify lead time reduction initiatives, work with key stakeholders to implement.
• Identify SKU rationalization opportunities, work with key stakeholders to implement.
• Prepare purchasing reports for management analysis.

E.      Issue resolution to ensure continuity of production.

Communicate with suppliers regarding purchase orders and resolve issues that may hamper the fulfillment of such P.O.’s on a regular basis.

• Price: resolve price discrepancies in a timely manner.
• Quality: co-ordinate with key stakeholders, to ensure issue resolution in a timely manner.
• Delivery: escalate issues that can’t be resolved locally to Purchasing/Sourcing Managers.

Requirements

·         Professional Degree in related area.

·         5-7 years in the Purchasing Area.  

·         English level:  Advanced (Reading and Writing that allow fluid presentations and/or Participation in Negotiation Processes).

·         Negotiation skills, communication, analytical ability.

·         Experience dealing with domestic & international vendors (MX, USA and overseas)

·         Ability to identify problems, recommend solutions + implement fixes.

·         Requires strong analytical skills, good business judgment, ability to break down complex issues into simple processes and

develop solutions for the root cause of the problem.

·         Strong leadership skills, ability to mentor and develop junior team members.

·         Strong working knowledge of MRP Systems philosophy and operations.

Preferred Knowledge & Training:

·         Advanced Excel skills (v-lookup, pivot tables, macros).

·         Experience using AS400/SAP a plus

·         This position requires good Communication and Negotiation Skills.

Benefits

Benefits exceeding the law