Sr Commodity Specialist

Job Summary:

Responsible for supporting assigned commodities and/or services to plan and purchase to maintain stocking levels that are within established guidelines. Ensures that commodities and/or services are filled in a timely and cost-effective manner, while maintaining the highest level of quality. Supports manufacturing with established products and engineering with new product launches. Utilizes knowledge of the business and technical aspects of the internal Supply Chain procurement/processing/master scheduling functions to organize, develop and manage lean material flow to deliver materials successfully and efficiently. 

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Support Purchasing/Planning of critical items and advanced material planning for both existing and new products.
• Act as liaison between manufacturing, engineering, and suppliers. 
• Assist the development of alternate sources of supply. Handle solicitation of bids and quotations.
• Optimize supply chain with respect to price, inventory, supply continuity, terms, and conditions; ensure adherence to internal standards and practices.
• Support new product introductions includes buying material for pilot builds.
• Collaborate with Purchasing/Planning/Quality to solve MRB issues and return materials to sender.
• Support BOM review and data entry to ERP system.
• Provide support or training, as needed, to less experienced Buyer/Planners.
• Perform other duties and projects as assigned.

Minimum & Preferred Qualifications and Experience: 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Five or more years of related experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with vendor management process and working with contract manufacturers.
• Experience in an ISO production environment.
• Knowledge of PC and database programs, including MS Office.
• Excellent organizational, typing and communication skills.
• Proven procurement experience, project management skills, and ability to work with cross functional teams.
• Ability to read and understand BOMs, MRP, safety stock and sales order shortage reports.
• Ability to travel as needed. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong Excel skills.
• APICS supply chain certification or equivalent training.

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in Purchasing/Operations, Business or other related field is required.

Physical requirements/Work Environment 

This position primarily works in an office environment. It requires frequent sitting, standing and walking.  Daily use of a computer and other computing and digital devices is required.  May stand for extended periods when facilitating meetings or walking in the facilities.  Some local travel is necessary, so the ability to operate a motor vehicle and maintain a valid Driver’s license is required. 

The physical demands of the position described herein are essential functions of the job and employees must be able to successfully perform these tasks for extended periods.  Reasonable accommodation may be made for those individuals with real or perceived disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job described.