Buyer/Planner in North Aurora, Illinois at Catalyst Acoustics Group

Catalyst is seeking an experienced Buyer/Planner to join our growing Purchasing team. We are looking to hire top talent to join our dynamic team, offering full benefits and a competitive compensation package. The Buyer will work onsite under the direction of the Operations Manager The Buyer will negotiate requirements of direct materials, supplies and services at favorable prices consistent with quality, on-time delivery, and maintaining optimum inventory levels.

Responsibilities:

• Manage and maintain relationship with suppliers, optimizing the company’s supplier’s
• base.
• Develop sourcing strategies and process to reduce both risk and the overall cost structure to the supported business.
• Utilize business system and develop a method for forecasting material demand while preventing stock shortages and maintaining high inventory turns.
• Develop and present market-competitive management strategies and trends in price, suppliers, and/or other conditions affecting business with the ability to analyze supply & demand factors across categories.
• Develop, track, and measure all cost savings activities to include negotiated price savings and terms.
• Responsible for maintaining proper inventory levels, part ordering policies in systems and preparation of inventory reports. Analyze and interpret reports and take appropriate course of action.
• Negotiate purchase contracts with selected suppliers and follows up on delivery and quality compliance.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships between the procurement team and internal customers, that provide for appropriate levels of service being maintained and priorities being addressed.
• Support development and maintenance of procure to pay procedures between all stake holders in the business (Operations, Procurement, and Accounts Payable)
• Work closely with production and sales departments to ensure proper communication and planning.
• Contribute to the Procurement team’s performance against departmental and internal customer KPIs and SLAs.
• Recommend and initiate new supply programs in areas of Production, Inventory Control, and Quality improvement.

Educational/Experience Requirements:

• A minimum of 3 years of direct material purchasing experience in a manufacturing environment.
• ERP System experience is a plus, ability to learn the system is a must.
• Strong analytical skills within Excel (VLOOKUP’s, pivot tables, etc.); proficiency with MS Office applications is a must.
• Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills within a matrix organization.
• Ensure all purchasing transactions are conducted in a manner consistent with our code of conduct.
• Promote continuous improvement and lean practices throughout the supply chain.
• Customer solution orientation.
• Business planning and process focused.
• Able to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Ability to read and interpret prints and drawings.
• Fluency in English is a must; Mandarin capability is a plus

Catalyst offers a competitive benefits package which includes medical, dental, vision, retirement savings with company match, paid leave (vacation, sick, personal and holiday), employee assistance programs, associate discounts, community involvement opportunities and much more.

Catalyst is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, or disability (in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act) with respect to employment opportunities.