Sr. Buyer/ Planner

Overview

The Senior Buyer/Planner is responsible for the procurement of a variety of commodities, materials, supplies, equipment, and services, many of which are highly technical and require the application of complex procurement standards and procedures, including negotiation. The Senior Buyer/Planner prepares detailed bid specifications, requests for quotations for commodities and services, requests for proposals for commodities and services, and purchase orders; the Senior Buyer/Planner employs advanced critical thinking and writing skills in the development and evaluation of the more complex requests for proposals for commodities and services. The Senior Buyer/Planner identifies varied sources of commodities and services, evaluates bids, awards purchase orders, maintains contact with vendors, and maintains comprehensive descriptions of available products and current prices. The Senior Buyer/Planner expedites the ordering and delivery process for commodities or services through the use of automated procurement systems and assures invoice payment by monitoring the process from initiation of a purchase order through the receipt of the goods or services and billing from the vendor or supplier. This role has greater responsibility and accountability than a Buyer/Planner and includes some people management responsibility. The job holder may take responsibility for a specific project or hold a larger remit in terms of purchasing responsibility.

Responsibilities

• Purchase goods, materials, components, or services in line with specified cost, quality, and delivery targets
• Ensure continuous supply of required goods and materials and communicate any supply problems which may pose a risk or impact on business operations to the Materials Manager
• Research and evaluate areas of opportunity and reduce costs where possible.
• Deliver briefs, updates, and reports as and when required.
• Develop creative and innovative procurement processes.
• Develop ideas and strategies to improve operational efficiency, add value, aid business performance and work towards a strategy of continuous improvement.
• Assess and evaluate suppliers and undertake performance reviews to ensure contract compliance and manage performance improvement activities.
• Ensure that a professional and consistent approach is taken in relation to all supplier relationships.
• Ensure compliance to company guidelines, purchasing policies and procedures during supplier negotiations and contracts award process.
• Explore alternate sources for goods and materials.
• Assess quotations from potential suppliers and negotiate payment terms.
• Undertake research on and evaluate existing and new suppliers.
• Contact suppliers to resolve price, quality, delivery, or invoice issues.
• Continuously update Materials Manager on activities
• Reduce inventory and increase inventory turns.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (preferably MBA) in Supply Chain Management or Business field
• 5+ years’ experience in a Buyer/Planner role
• Supply Chain Management experience preferred.
• Program Management experience preferred

Rain Bird is an equal opportunity employer