Buyer III in Eden Prairie, Minnesota at Anagram International LLC

Buyer III
Department: Supply Chain
Reports to: Purchasing Manager

Company Overview:
Anagram leads the world in making balloons fun with consumer-inspired - and inspiring - product development, industry-expanding innovation, and strong, value-added partnerships. We proudly offer many products you'll only find with an Anagram label.

Job Description
The Buyer III is an experienced procurement professional responsible for the end-to-end sourcing and management of assigned direct and indirect materials categories supporting production, owning category performance, leading sourcing events for medium-complexity spend, and serving as a technical resource and informal mentor. The Buyer III operates with significant autonomy on day-to-day decisions and contributes to broader category strategy under the direction of senior procurement leadership.
Responsibilities and Duties
• Support Anagram corporate contracts, while developing alternate sources of supply to specific Anagram needs. Tasks include source items, prepare quote specifications, analyze bids, recommend changes to our supply base, qualify suppliers as future sources.
• Collaborate with key Anagram stakeholders to define pricing, payment terms, production and quality specifications, inventory and warehousing arrangements, and other operational requirements to support a stable and efficient supply chain.
• Develop, understand, and monitor market indices to ensure fair pricing for purchased commodities.
• Analyze supplier total cost (unit price, quantity, delivery time, quality, freight) and develop cost savings / cost avoidance strategies.
• Lead supplier qualification activities in partnership with Quality and Engineering, including site visits and capability assessments.
• Manage material flow to ensure inventory is maintained at the optimum DOS to support on time customer deliveries.
• Issue and manage purchase orders, blanket agreements, and scheduling agreements within ERP system; ensure data integrity in master records.
• Partner with Production Planning and Materials Management to mitigate supply risk and prevent line-stop scenarios.
• Serve as primary commercial point of contact for assigned suppliers; manage performance against cost, quality, delivery, and service KPIs. Evaluate supplier performance, through score carding and quarterly business reviews
• Work with accounting to maintain product cost information, establish new standard costs, and provide solutions regarding supplier invoice discrepancies.
• Develop policies, processes, and procedures to continually improve procurement operations.

This job specification should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as required by their supervisor.

Knowledge/Skills Required:
1. Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a related field; equivalent combination of education and experience considered.
2. 5–8 years of progressive procurement or buying experience, including at least 2 years in a Buyer II or equivalent role.
3. Demonstrated experience in global sourcing direct and indirect materials in a manufacturing or production environment.
4. Proven track record of leading RFQs and delivering measurable cost-reduction and inventory management results.
5. Strong working knowledge of MRP systems.
6. Working knowledge of contract terms, Incoterms, and standard commercial agreements.
7. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
8. Excellent planning and organizing skills with the ability to coordinate multiple projects and deadlines.
9. Highly detail oriented with excellent analytical skills.
10. Excellent problem solving and decision-making skills.
11. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.

FLSA Working conditions:
• Monday through Friday
• Hybrid: 4 days in office, 1 day remote
• Schedule may fluctuate based on business needs.