Assistant Buyer/Associate Buyer (Biotechnology Industry) 3369303

Job Title: Associate Buyer

Work Arrangement: 100% On-Site

Location: East Area, Puerto Rico

Contract Type: Contract through ProQuality Network

SUMMARY

ProQuality Network is seeking a qualified Associate Buyer to support sourcing and procurement activities on behalf of our client, a leader in the biopharmaceutical industry. This is a contract position where the selected candidate will represent ProQuality Network at the clients site and will be responsible for the procurement of commodities, supplies, and services in accordance with established policies and procedures.

Under limited supervision, the Associate Buyer will manage supplier negotiations, purchase orders, and contracts to support operational needs. This role involves close collaboration with various departments including Quality, Manufacturing, Engineering, and Finance, and requires strong communication, documentation, and organizational skills.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Source suppliers and contractors for goods and services across multiple categories.
• Negotiate pricing, terms, and conditions for MRO orders, contracts, and blanket purchase orders.
• Process purchase requisitions for contract services, capital equipment, and inventory materials in compliance with corporate policies.
• Generate purchase contracts and maintain purchasing records in JDE systems.
• Support implementation of new systems and initiatives (e.g., JDE releases, EDI, e-requisitioning, supplier diversity programs).
• Lead or assist with special cost-saving and process improvement projects.
• Participate in the design and monitoring of supplier partnership programs.
• Work with cross-functional teams to define specifications for new goods or equipment.
• Resolve procurement discrepancies and coordinate product returns.
• Maintain purchasing documentation in alignment with cGMP and regulatory standards.
• Serve as a backup to the MRO Category Manager as needed.
• Conduct or assist in supplier audits and internal contract audits.
• Attend team and cross-functional meetings as required.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Candidates must meet one of the following criteria:

• High school diploma/GED and 4 years of directly related work experience
• Associate degree and 2 years of directly related work experience
• Bachelors degree and at least 6 months of directly related work experience
• Masters degree (no prior experience required)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with SAP and Purchase Order (PO) management
• Familiarity with raw materials planning and requisition-to-PO conversion
• Knowledge of Rapid Response (nice to have)
• Supplier communication and escalation experience regarding order delays, discrepancies, and documentation
• Strong negotiation and communication skills
• Smartsheet or other metric reporting tools (nice to have)
• Participation in procurement-related projects

CORE COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS

• Fully bilingual (English and Spanish)
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and enterprise systems (e.g., SAP, JDE)

If you meet the qualifications and are interested in representing ProQuality Network in this exciting opportunity, please apply using the job description link and submit your updated resume.