Buyer I

**Basic Job Functions**:

- Responsible for obtaining bids and placing orders to standard terms and conditions based on approved internal purchase requisitions for supplies, materials, services, and equipment.
- Negotiates pricing and delivery with vendors, supports the qualification of new suppliers and plans inventory levels according to established guidelines and in a cost efficient manner.
- Responsible for assuring Purchase Orders are placed timely and deliveries are scheduled and maintained to meet production requirements of one or more production material commodities and production consumables.
- Responsible for Material’s and Supplier’s master data creation and/or maintenance in ERP system to support planning and Purchase Order execution.
- Responsible for assuring purchase requisitions are appropriately approved and information is complete.

**Education/Experience**:

- Bachelor's degree in business or related discipline preferred.
- 0 - 3 years related work experience (purchasing, planning/scheduling, and supply chain). Experience in a manufacturing environment is preferred.
- Good working knowledge with commonly used concepts, practices, and procedures within Supply Chain. Experience with MRP concepts and one or more ERP systems.

**Required Skills/Competencies**:

- Proven organizational skills - ability to prioritize.
- English proficiency.
- Good computer skills, including Microsoft Office or equivalent.
- Demonstrated or familiar with negotiation approaches and methods.
- Good communications and interpersonal skills.
- Good knowledge of MRP and ERP concepts.
- Demonstrated experience in managing suppliers and supplier relationships.

**Essential Responsibilities**:

- Responsible for assuring purchase requisitions information is complete and appropriately approved, negotiating prices with assigned vendors and processing purchase orders placed timely according to established guidelines and in a cost efficient manner.
- Utilizing MRP and other input from Manufacturing Planning, determine what items need to be ordered and in what quantity, and place Purchase orders with approved suppliers timely to meet manufacturing requirements.
- Investigate new suppliers for improved price, delivery and quality.
- Responsible for proposing and supporting the qualification of new suppliers.
- Responsible for managing inventory levels of assigned materials.
- As required, expedite or de-expedite deliveries and change scheduled quantities to meet changes in production or requirements.
- Notify suppliers of quality discrepancies in their incoming material; with internal and supplier experts, support the identification of root cause and assure corrective action; and assure material disposition is appropriate dealt with.
- Analyze aging purchase orders.
- Interface with many departments and assigned suppliers.
- Create or maintain Master data information
- Maintain effective communications levels and fosters team building.
- Adhere to all First Solar internal processes and procedures, including safety, SOA, ISO9k, 14k and 45k, and housekeeping standards.
- Responsible for managing/improving the commercial relationship between First Solar and its suppliers.
- Liaise or work closely with vendors for on-time delivery.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Ensure compliance with Quality, Environment, Health and Safety and Responsible Business Alliance policies and procedures that is enforced within the organization.

**Physical Requirements (if any)**:

- Will sit, stand or walk short distances for up to the entire duration of a shift.
- Will climb stairs on an occasional basis
- Will lift, push or pull up to 27 pounds on an occasional basis
- Required to use hands to grasp, lift, handle, carry or feel objects on a frequent basis
- 20/40 vision in each eye, with or without correction, is required
- Must be able to comply with all safety standards and procedures
- May reach above shoulder heights and below the waist on a frequent basis
- May stoop, kneel, or bend, on an occasional basis
- Ability to wear personal protective equipment is required (including but not limited to, steel toed shoes, gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, protective jacket or apron and arm guards)
- All associates working on the production floor may be required to wear a respirator at any given time and thus, the ability to wear a respirator is a condition of employment and continued employment (requires little or no facial hair)
- Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: First Solar is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the policy of the company to recruit, hire, train and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a driving force in the success of our company. _
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