Title: Senior Buyer

Location: Ashland, MA

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Senior Buyer role at Kidde-Fenwal is a pivotal position in our Procurement team, responsible for ensuring the efficient acquisition of materials, equipment, supplies, and services in line with the company's operational and strategic goals. This role requires a strong focus on executing purchasing activities, inventory monitoring/optimization, supplier relationship management, and cost-saving initiatives. The Senior Buyer will manage the entire purchase order lifecycle, work closely with various departments such as production, quality, finance/accounting, and engineering, and participate in key sourcing activities, contributing to the overall success of the company’s supply chain performance.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Purchasing and Supplier Management

• Execute purchasing activities, ensuring compliance with established procurement regulations and procedures.

• Manage a diverse portfolio of suppliers, ensuring selection of preferred suppliers based on pricing, delivery schedules, and quality standards.

• Issue, confirm, and monitor purchase orders, validating supplier pricing, shipping terms, payment terms, and delivery locations to meet company needs.

• Review supplier bids, negotiate terms, and establish new supplier agreements as necessary.

• Develop and maintain supplier performance measurements, focusing on quality, on-time delivery, and cost-effectiveness.

Purchase Order and Inventory Management

• Generate material requirements based on production schedules and manage purchase orders from creation to completion.

• Adjust order quantities, shipment dates, and pricing as needed to align with changing production needs, while maintaining cost integrity.

• Ensure purchase orders are closed upon receipt of all items or services, and review open orders to determine expediting, cancellation, or closure actions.

Cost Management and Strategic Sourcing

• Analyze cost trends and implement cost-saving initiatives, focusing on increasing spend efficiency and driving down operational costs.

• Conduct thorough spend analysis to identify savings opportunities and manage a portfolio of savings projects.

• Enhance material productivity through improved inventory turnover, consignment usage, and supplier-managed inventory.

• Monitor supply budgets and collaborate with management to ensure cost targets are met.

Supplier Compliance and Risk Mitigation

• Act as an escalation point for any supplier performance issues or supply chain disruptions that impact operations.

• Ensure corrective actions are taken for defective or unacceptable goods/services, coordinating with quality control and operations teams to resolve issues.

• Manage supplier corrective action requests (SCARs) and drive continuous supplier improvement.

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with production, quality, finance, and engineering teams to ensure procurement activities support company goals.

• Lead or participate in the Engineering Change Order (ECO) process to align procurement strategies with production changes.

• Support cross-functional teams in inventory management, logistics coordination, and transportation management to ensure timely receipt of materials.

Continuous Improvement and Process Optimization

• Contribute to the development and execution of procurement strategies that align with company objectives for cost savings and operational efficiency.

• Assist in developing key supplier programs and partnerships, driving continuous supplier improvement.

• Participate in or lead small projects focused on enhancing procurement processes, with a focus on driving best-in-class purchasing capabilities.

• Maintain procurement records in ERP systems, ensuring data accuracy for purchased items, costs, delivery schedules, and performance metrics.

REQUIREMENTS: EDUCATION/SKILLS/EXPERIENCE

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or related field, or 5+ years of relevant experience in an operations purchasing environment.

Experience:

5+ years of experience in procurement, purchasing, or supply chain management, with a focus on strategic sourcing.

Demonstrated experience managing $10M–$20M in spend across various categories, including direct materials and capital expenditures.

Hands-on experience with procurement methodologies, ERP systems, and operational purchasing best practices.

Experience working with cross-functional teams to align purchasing activities with operational needs.

Preferred experience in the fire suppression, manufacturing, or construction materials industries.

Skills & Competencies:

Advanced proficiency in ERP systems (JD Edwards preferred) and Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a focus on strategic sourcing and cost management.

Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence supplier relationships and drive performance improvements.

Detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple tasks in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Demonstrated ability to drive process improvements and cost reductions.

Six Sigma or similar continuous improvement training preferred.

Certifications:

APICS CPIM, CPM, or similar supply chain certification preferred.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively across teams.

• Proven record of driving supplier compliance and managing performance metrics.

• Eagerness to learn and apply new procurement strategies in a fast-moving, high-volume environment.

• Strong organizational skills with an ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.

EEO/AAP Statement

Kidde-Fenwal Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other federally protected class.