Position Purpose:

Under minimal supervision, develops and implements cost-effective and efficient procedures to purchase sophisticated commodities, subsystems, major components and/or assemblies, major service and support subsystems, and major components of these subsystems, as appropriate in accordance with company policies and procedures.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities:

Essential Functions:

1. Develops sources of supply and obtains information from suppliers concerning product and/or service specifications, price, delivery dates, etc. and ensures all applicable data is current at supplier.
2. Solicits proposals, conducts bid evaluations, evaluates costs, negotiates optimum delivery schedules and ensures the best combination of price, quantity discount, product quality, standard terms and conditions, and where appropriate, establishes long term agreements such as Master Orders and Blanket Purchase Agreements.
3. Interprets program and/or statement of work requirements; recommends and implements action with suppliers to ensure achievement of all requirements.
4. Communicates with User departments such as Engineering, Quality Assurance, Manufacturing, Planning, Design, Facilities, Program Office and other departments as necessary, to ensure their requirements are met.
5. Supports the cognizant Cost Analysts efforts to prepare the Pre-Negotiation Plan (PNP), where applicable.
6. Prepares the Negotiation Plan using the PNP and his/her experience in dealing with the supplier, where appropriate.
7. Conducts negotiations with an emphasis on achieving cost reductions, maximizing savings, and securing pricing that is within the objectives set forth in an approved negotiation plan.
8. Prepares memorandum(s) justifying the following: Acceptance or rejection of a sole source recommendation by the user, source selection where multiple sources were solicited, price negotiated or lowest price quoted competitively.
9. Prepares definitive purchase orders, including terms and conditions, makes award, and administers contracts with suppliers within budgetary limitations.
10. Responsible for calendar and format for program reviews. Monitors supplier performance, and prepares reports and other records pertaining to the items or services purchased, cost, delivery, product or service performance, supplier performance and/or inventories, as applicable.
11. Resolves problems related to purchasing, delivery, receiving and payment to the supplier; determines source of the problem and takes appropriate corrective action.
12. Coordinates administration of and response to all contract related documentation to include the requirement to review, coordinate, negotiate and implement changes to the contract.
13. Supports the make-or-buy review and decision process.
14. Maintains close liaison with departments being supported.

Additional Functions:

1. Plans, assigns, and reviews the work of buyers and associate buyers, based on direction from manager or supervisor. .
2. Participates on cross-site commodity teams as required. .

Perform other duties as assigned.

Other Requirements:

1. Experience in negotiating/managing medium to high value, multi-year and/or complex procurements.
2. SAP experience preferred.
3. Strong knowledge in purchasing methods and techniques.

A credit history check from a national credit bureau will be conducted for all candidates for this position including new hires and current employees seeking promotion or transfer.