Technical Buyer
Successful Northeast Iowa hardware manufacturer seeks a TECHNICAL BUYER.
Accountability Objective
This position is responsible for supporting product development project teams with pre-production quoting and purchase orders to ensure project spec, budget, and schedules are met. The position will support production Buyers with cost savings efforts by obtaining quotes, samples and assisting with product validation efforts and will work closely with the Change Specialist when changing supplier sources.
Dimensions
TriMark Annual Sales +/- $70MM
APQP Projects to Support +/- 75
Average Number of PO’s Placed +/- 30/month
Nature and Scope
This position reports to the Supplier Relationship Manager as do the Buyers and Associate Buyer.
This position plays a key procurement role within product design and development work groups at TriMark Iowa. The position participates with the development and completion of customer product design projects by fulfilling their purchased material, component and service needs. Through interaction with the work groups, the incumbent understands the urgency and complexity of the components and tooling necessary for completion of the projects. The incumbent works closely with the Supplier Quality Engineer to ensure customer requirements are met for projects.
The incumbent works closely with the Supplier Relationship Manager researching suppliers who can supply quality products/components on time and at a competitive price according to TriMark’s requirements. The Technical Buyer collaborates with the Supplier Relationship Manager and project engineering and product management on understanding the needs for potential new suppliers, product specifications and resources. The incumbent evaluates potential suppliers, assists with the supplier qualification process, requests for quotes and other sourcing documents and evaluates and recommends purchasing and sourcing decisions to management.
The Technical Buyer assists in identifying appropriate suppliers, negotiating, coordinating transportation and predicting future company needs in search of the specified materials at the most competitive prices. Interaction with other departments within the organization is necessary to understand precisely which types of goods, raw materials or external assistance would best facilitate the company’s overall goals.
The Technical Buyer ideally has an Engineering background or equivalent experience and has strong process knowledge (e.g. plastics, wire forming, finishing, metal processing, etc.). The Technical Buyer possesses expertise in materials and material properties, internal expert of supplier capabilities and give solid suggestions and provide real value to project teams.
The Technical Buyer must stay abreast of marketing/pricing trends, which enables him/her to give management forecasts of availability and pricing changes.
The incumbent interfaces with various departments, providing timely information and constantly communicating current activities and any problems which might arise, which could affect the quality and/or delivery of pre-production parts that support product development. Structured meetings are held periodically by the incumbent to discuss problems, schedules, or future activities.
The incumbent will play a Key role on APQP project teams by inputting information received from quotes into the APQP web, entering project hours, processing PNR’s, etc. The Technical Buyer is responsible for keeping the new tooling spreadsheet updated.
The incumbent must be dependable, responsive and reliable to the highest degree, work with high energy and sense of urgency and must display aggressiveness, cooperation, tact, and resourcefulness. Conduct must be professional and ethical at all times, consistent with company policies and objectives. To be successful in this position, the incumbent must have basic computer skills to aid them in the job functions and excellent communication skills.
Principal Accountabilities
- Performs assignments delegated by the work groups, typically RFQ’s, to ensure timely and cost- effective completion of customer project requirements in support of APQP product design and development process.
- Accurately process ON PO’s to support pre-production needs in a timely fashion and follow up on receipt of goods to ensure on-time delivery so that product development project schedules meet target dates.
- Collaborate with SQE to ensure smooth transition of supply into production.
- Collaborate with SRM to research new potential suppliers to fulfill stated needs.
- Work with buyers on cost savings opportunities that have been identified that could lead to a potential COS.
- Develop and use necessary new methods/technologies as they are related to the innovation of the business and remain aware of potential suppliers as they are related to new sources for components.
- Responsible to perform his or her job functions in a manner that supports TriMark’s mission, vision and values in order for the company to attain its strategic and growth goals.
- Implement and support efforts to reduce costs, eliminate waste and promote efficiency within the procurement process while striving to provide smooth development operations.
- Certification in APICS, SPSM or equivalent preferred but can work towards certification.
Core Competencies
- Must be proficient in MS Excel, Word, and Outlook.
- Excellent Communication Skills, both written and verbal.
- Professional conduct when dealing with suppliers.
- Must be working towards certification with SPSM or equivalents.
- Have basic knowledge of APQP, PPAP, etc. and understand the importance of how it relates to customer/TMC requirements.
- Must have negotiation skills in order to obtain competitive pricing with suppliers.
- JD Edwards experience strongly preferred.
Working Conditions
The office area is air-conditioned and working conditions are excellent. The noise level is 50-80DB. Normal or corrected vision with no color deficiency, normal depth perception and peripheral vision of 180 degrees is required.
Safety glasses are required whenever office personnel are in the plant production area. Hearing protection is not required but is encouraged for use in areas designated as high-noise areas.
Physical Effort
- Bending - Waist level
- Stooping - None
- Squatting - Intermittently
- Twisting - 20 degrees
- Turning - 90 degrees
- Reaching - Below shoulder level
- Lifting - 20#
- Pushing/pulling 20# or less
- Standing - 25% or less
- Sitting - 50% or more
- Walking - 25% or less
- Climbing - Stairways
- Grasping Normal dexterity
Equal Opportunity Employer.Applicants for employment will be required to undergo a physical examination and/or drug screen test as a condition of employment.