Buying Associate

Entry Level during which an employee receives both functional and organizational training under close supervision. Incumbents carry out assignments within well-defined practices, procedures and policies. Works independently on details of assignments, and has limited decision-making authority; most decisions are made or guided by the immediate supervisor. Decisions/actions may have an impact on the department/s/division’s goals. Works under close Supervision and requires direction on how assignments are to be executed; begins to put forward ideas on how work assignments can be executed. Establishes cooperative relationships to work effectively with colleagues; supports others and participates as a team member, and takes responsibility for own work commitments. Interacts directly with immediate supervisor, co-workers and team members; engages in routine exchanges of information; interactions with external contacts, if applicable, would be monitored.
Performs tasks such as, but not limited to, the following:
Provides entry-level professional support in the procurement of lower dollar manufacturing materials and services. Reviews demand requirements for lower dollar, lower cost manufacturing parts and supplies. Checks requisitions for completeness and accuracy. Obtains quotes, examines bids and recommends awards. Suggests, prepares and administers purchase orders to achieve material quality, cost and delivery requirements. Analyzes material availability to manage inventory investment. Maintains responsibility for data integrity in Item Master file. Maintains ongoing communication with suppliers to gather information on materials availability, cost, shipping and delivery methods and timing, problem resolution, etc. Expedites or follows up on deliveries as appropriate to meet delivery requirements. Assists in surveys, site audits and analysis leading to supplier sourcing. Assists Buyer or Team Leader in reviewing supplier performance and makes recommendations on changes or disqualifications. Provides resolution of receipt and supplier invoice discrepancies.

**Knowledge/Skills/Competencies**:

- Basic understanding of manufacturing processes and procedures.
- Basic understanding of materials being purchased by the department.
- Knowledge of purchasing practices and procedures.
- Basic math, data entry and 10-key skills.
- Ability to handle multiple tasks while maintaining attention to detail and accuracy and working under tight time deadlines.
- Ability to evaluate, prioritize and problem solve a variety of tasks to ensure their timely and accurate completion.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with a wide variety of internal and external customers.
- Ability to efficiently organize, file and retrieve hard copy and electronic information relating to the business of the work unit.

**Physical Demands**:

- Duties of this position are performed in a normal office environment.
- Duties may require extended periods of sitting and sustained visual concentration on a computer monitor or on numbers and other detailed data.
- Repetitive manual movements (e.g., data entry, using a computer mouse, using a calculator, etc.) are frequently required.

**Typical Experience**:
Zero to two years’ relevant experience.

**Typical Education**:
Bachelor’s degree in related field, or consideration of an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Educational requirements may vary by geography.

**Notes**:
This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees are held accountable for a
- Plans for and procures materials necessary to meet manufacturing build requirements for one or several product lines.
- Reviews forecasted requirements and purchases materials in accordance with that forecast.
- Ensures materials are available to meet manufacturing build requirements. Matches material requirements and inventory turnover so as not to hold too high of a percentage of inventory at any time.
- Qualifies new suppliers through survey and site visits.
- Helps establish new supplier accounts with finance department.
- Works with internal customers to address, return and receive credit for defective materials.
- Works with A/P to investigate and resolve issues with payment of supplier invoices.
- Plans and schedules timely material requirements for customer forecasts. Reviews manufacturing production goals and plans accordingly.
- Analyzes inputs (e.g., capacity, board cycle times, urgency of request, material availability, etc.) to help determine schedule. Analyzes internal impact (e.g., line scheduling, procurement, logistics, shipping, etc.) of customer scheduling. Pushes or cancels orders per production plans.
- Ensures quality and integrity of information used to generate materials requirements plan.
- Revises plans as required based on analysis of actuals versus plan.
- Acts as a customer liaison with new product introduct