Senior Buyer

Job DetailsJob Location: ABF DC 1210 - Waukegan, IL 60085Education Level: Bachelors DegreeSalary Range: $70,122.20 - $99,661.20 SalaryJob Shift: 1st ShiftJob Category: Supply ChainJoin the PAK

The Visual Pak Companies are aligned with many of the largest consumer product companies in the household, personal care, automotive and food product industries.

30 years of consistent growth with no end in sight is a testament to our best-in-class workforce as the foundation for our collective success. The Visual Pak is looking for innovative and dedicated achievers who are encouraged to keep a healthy work/life balance to join our team.

Position Title: Senior Buyer

Reporting into Title: Chemical Purchasing Manager

Business and Department: ABF; Procurement

Position Purpose/Summary: The Senior Buyer is responsible for managing a network of distributors and manufacturers to supply the direct raw materials needs of a growing contract manufacturer in the personal/home care industry.  Key attributes of buying will include on time deliveries and with the best price at the specified quality. The Chemical Buyer must have a proven negotiation track record, with an adherence to cGMP and a focus on excellence in service.  The Senior Buyer is responsible for managing a network of chemical and component distributors and manufacturers to supply the direct raw materials needs of a growing contract manufacturer in the personal/home care industry.

Direct Reports          

None

Position Responsibilities-Tasks-Deliverables

An individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each essential duty listed below. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Follow hazardous material handling procedures; complete initial and annual training
Sourcing raw materials across the domestic & international supplier network
Negotiating prices of current and new raw materials
Improving and maintaining new item set-up process to support R&D
Coordinating collection and distribution of samples as needed
Responding to customer request for quotations with current information
Materials planning and purchasing
Providing key suppliers with forward-looking forecasts
Initiating and following up on purchase orders
Interfacing with plant and site planner teams to ensure on time delivery and inventory levels
Interfacing with suppliers directly to resolve complaints
Providing timely and accurate information on the status of raw material deliveries
Managing ongoing Supplier Maintenance Program
Driving problem resolution

Effective prioritization to ensure execution of critical tasks and projects
Proactively interface with assigned company disciplines, as well as other facilities, regarding purchased goods or services to support all aspects of production and operational needs. Must be able to understand and anticipate production planning models to forecast packaging and commodities needed to run production processes at maximum output and efficiency with minimum interruption
Be responsible for the timely procurement of all indirect materials and services required to support the production process.
Negotiate lowest cost with best value and delivery.
Perform supplier quote evaluation and schedule vendor selection reviews with Engineering, Maintenance, Operations and Quality.
Provide cost analysis in support of the bidding process and provide cost savings to the organization.
Assist suppliers with obtaining accurate, timely information and drawings from the Company for completion of quotes or work.
Manage open PO report to proactively resolve purchasing problems concerning invoice discrepancies, receipt discrepancies, part identification, etc. Provide accurate back up to accounting for all purchases in timely manner as needed.
Protect company interests, understanding contractual obligations with suppliers, compliance to standards required by company, contractor safety, and best procurement practices.
Contribute to a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for and development of skills at all levels.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Displays leadership abilities by fostering a productive team atmosphere amongst employees
Takes initiative by providing improvement suggestions that positively impact the company objectives.
Ensures an appropriate level of raw materials inventory, preventing both production delays and excess/obsolete inventory.
Consistently achieves buying parameters as set by the business plan and forecasts.
Manages inventory to lowest acceptable business levels.
Coordinates for the benefit of the company with vendors, suppliers, and customers for contract adherence including credits, obsolete materials or inventory, discounts, and logistics.

Benefits:

Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Life & AD&D Insurance
401(k)
401(k) match
Pet Insurance
Paid time-off
Paid holidays
Tuition reimbursement
Flexible Spending Account
Dependent Care Subsidy
Childcare Resources
Commuter Benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Disability Insurance
Employee Discounts 

QualificationsKnowledge-Skills-Abilities

Education:

BA or BS (focus in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or Finance) or equivalent experience.
Supply chain-specific certifications are helpful.

Experience:

5–8 years of experience in chemical procurement or strategic sourcing within a manufacturing or industrial environment.Demonstrated ability to lead and manage others
Organization (experience can be combination of technical and commercial)

Chemical buying experience highly desired.
Prior Purchasing experience and documented skills/training in negotiation required .
Prefer APICS certification and/or CPM certification.
Strong ability to problem solve complex technical issues to correctly source commodities.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Demonstrated knowledge of legal aspects of contracts.
Demonstrated knowledge of logistics, freight negotiations.
Acute attention to detail and ability to work with limited supervision.

Technology/Software:

Proficient in Microsoft Suite applications and various market research tools
Intermediate/Advanced computer skills (Excel, interlinked databases, ERP, MS Word)
Strong Understanding of MRP inventory systems and logic

Communication:

Excellent presentation skills to a variety audience using verbal and technicology resources
Superior interpersonal ability so as to productively interact with anyone
Proficient verbal and written messaging skills
Detailed listener

Physical Capabilities 

Strength (lifting, dexterity, repetitive motion): able to use a computer extensively

Movement (standing, stopping, sitting, crouching, crawling): general movement in an office setting with extended time relating to sitting.

Hearing (loud noise tolerance, quiet work area, public speaking, receive work direction): normal sound volumes in office setting, some exposure to production floor environment which may be loud.

Vision (judge distance, read signs, extended computer work, identify details): able to read information, view a computer screen for extended time periods, and recognize hazards.

MISCELLANEOUS

Travel: N/A

Vehicle (own): able to commute to work location

Tools (own): N/A

Technology (own): N/A

Visual Pak Companies is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Visual Pak does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, gender (orientation or identification), sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other basis covered by federal, state, or local laws.  All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, skills, individual performance, and business needs.