Merchandise Buyer

Express Employment is seeking a skilled and motivated individual to join our client's dynamic Supply Chain team. As a Buyer, you will play a key role in our supply chain by managing the procurement of production parts for our engine manufacturing facility. You will be responsible for ensuring outsourced parts are procured on-spec, on-time, and on-budget; developing and maintaining supplier relationships. This role requires a proactive individual with strong analytical skills, excellent communication abilities, relationship building abilities, and problem-solving mindset.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Purchase Order Management: Prepare, issue, and manage purchase orders and change notices for production parts and tooling, ensuring timely and accurate procurement to meet production schedules.
• Supplier Development and Management: Identify, select, and develop suppliers to ensure they provide high-quality parts on time and at competitive costs. Monitor supplier performance to ensure adherence to supplier performance KPIs.
• Inventory Optimization: Efficiently use MRP system to issue, reschedule, and monitor purchase orders, ensuring required stock levels are maintained, excess inventory is avoided, and obsolescence is minimized.
• Market and Supplier Analysis: Conduct in-depth analysis and reporting on market conditions and trends that may impact the quality, delivery, or cost of purchased products. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of supplier financial health and capacity.
• Policy Compliance and Representation: Adhere to company procurement policies, quality system procedures, and ethical standards. Represent Continental Aerospace Technologies professionally to external organizations.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Communicate and interact with other departments to ensure parts availability, resolve supplier issues, and implement engineering design changes seamlessly.
• Cost Reduction and Supplier Development: Plan and execute cost reduction initiatives, resourcing, and supplier development programs. Collaborate with Cross-Functional team to drive continuous improvement projects, value engineering, and corrective actions across the supply base.

Characteristics For Success
• Analytical Expertise: Strong ability to perform complex analysis, including data gathering, working with internal and external stakeholders, selecting appropriate analytical methods, and synthesizing quantitative and qualitative inputs. Strong communication skills, team-oriented with proven experience working with cross-functional teams.
• Effective Communication: Excellent communication skills, with a proven track record of working effectively within cross-functional teams.
• Adaptability: Flexibility and resilience to thrive in a fast-paced and high-mix manufacturing environment.
• Detail Orientation: Meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to meeting deadlines and business needs with accurate and timely information.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Demonstrated ability to identify issues and implement effective solutions proactively.
• Team Collaboration: Strong team player with the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships across departments and external suppliers.
• Continuous Improvement Mindset: Commitment to continuous improvement and the ability to drive and support improvement initiatives.

Qualifications:
• Education: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, or Business Administration is preferred. Equivalent work experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Experience: Minimum of 2 years of purchasing experience in a manufacturing environment is preferred. This includes demonstrated success in procurement roles, particularly within high-mix, fast-paced manufacturing environments.