Instrument Buyer

Position Summary

The Instrument Buyer will optimize the use of company assets in the acquisition of assigned group purchased Finished Goods, while adhering to company policies and trade laws.  The incumbent will meet corporate goals and objectives through the acquisition of up-to-date knowledge about market conditions and trends, formulating strategies to ensure quality and continuity of supply.

Principal Responsibilities

•    Assist with the development of the annual inventory/procurement investment plan to meet corporate objectives for Inventory, Service, and Supplier Performance Levels.
•    Lead purchased Finished Good material improvement initiations (i.e., cost reductions, supplier consolidation, blanket orders, inventory turns).
•    Participates in contract negotiations with Manager, Instrument Sourcing.
•    Participates in MRB to resolve NCMRs, CAPAs, and SCARs.
•    Coordinate operational and strategic supplier tools such as Vendor Managed Inventory, Supplier drop ships, EDI, etc.
•    Ensure availability of product to support Sales forecasts and market demands.
•    Be active in influencing and/or taking the lead role in ongoing supply chain activities and functions while developing improvements to improve service level.
•    Performs as required the preparation, distribution, and review of formal RFQs to ensure continuity of supply and the support of improvement initiatives.
•    Sourcing – review MRP purchase requirements; analyze for quantity, specifications, and delivery.  Identify or develop sources, request pricing and delivery capabilities, select suppliers and place purchase orders.
•    Maintain item and vendor master parameter/information in the ERP system to minimize excess inventory and backorders through regular review of historical and actual data, available forecasts, and discussions with Sales, Marketing, Demand Planning, and Distribution.
•    Provide system-generated reports and spreadsheet analyses to assist other functions with decision making by analyzing and defining the required data and/or creating the report or coordinating with the IT team.
•    Maintain constant contact with external supplier base, as well as internal customers and constituents, placing a premium on good relationships with Sales, Engineering, Marketing, Customer Service, Distribution, Finance, and QA/RA.

Education / Experience Requirements

•    BS/BA in business or technical discipline or five years of relevant experience.
•    Minimum of two years’ experience in either Purchasing or Materials Management. 
•    CPIM and/or CPM certification desired.

Specialized Skills / Other Requirements

•    Comprehensive understanding of MS Office suite required. 
o    Advanced skills in utilizing Excel VLOOKUP and Pivot Tables.

•    Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as part of a team, as well as independently.
•    Strong analytical skills.
•    Thorough knowledge of ERP, inter-functional relationships, purchasing techniques, and laws.  
•    Excellent interpersonal skills as well as strong skills in, leadership, oral and written communication, and spreadsheet analysis capability.  
•    Experience in metals purchasing and blueprint reading preferred. 
•    Experienced in medical device purchasing or FDA-regulated products preferred

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