Buyer, Direct Materials 12- Month Contract

Job Summary
This role focuses on both direct and indirect buying, consisting primarily of Bill Of Material (BOM) coverage for our manufacturing facilities and has a small portion of buy-sell responsibility.

Key Responsibilities

• Management and optimization of inventory for the organization's manufacturing sites to ensure on-time delivery and best value, utilizing inventory management best practices.
• Initiate and implement replenishment programs for BOM items with a focus on automation and process optimization (e.g., VMI Programs, Kanban).
• Manage inventory levels by monitoring and analyzing trends to establish parameters such as minimum, maximum, EOQ, and reorder points.
• Manage supplier relationships to enable maximum value and contribute to sourcing initiatives.
• Seek, identify, and recommend opportunities for cost savings and process improvements.
• Develop strong relationships and actively participate with cross-functional teams (Scheduling, Operations, Engineering, Quality, Sales) to ensure supply chain activities support the business and improve OEE.
• Reporting and analysis of weekly/monthly Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) with explanation of variances.
• Maintain master data in our ERP system, ensuring planning records are up to date and accurate, as assigned by the Purchasing Manager.
• Release purchase orders after validation of MRP recommendations, while considering budget and demand forecast.
• Monitor the requisitioning systems, analyze and validate requirements, and create purchase orders for direct items.
• Identify potential opportunities for Kanban (digital/manual) and implement as needed.
• Monitor Kanban/Min-Max systems to manage inventory levels and ensure efficient daily operations.
• Work with Strategic Sourcing on sourcing activities, contract implementation, and ongoing vendor management.
• Monitor and support on-time delivery of issued purchase orders through open order management tools.
• Manage and monitor product complaints and resolution through the Quality SCAR process.
• Support new product implementation using a Stage Gate process led by Innovation.
• Prepare, analyze, and maintain purchasing/inventory management reports.

Requirements

• Post-secondary education in Supply Chain, Business, or related field.
• APICS, CPIM, CSCP, SCMAO certifications are an asset.
• At least 5 years of experience in inventory management, purchasing, or related business experience (indirect or direct purchasing in a manufacturing environment).
• In-depth knowledge of Kanban systems/VMI and plant operations.
• Well-developed supply chain experience with strengths in vendor management and strategic vision; negotiation experience is an asset.
• Knowledge and experience in global supply chain operations is preferred.
• In-depth knowledge and experience utilizing an MRP system.
• SAP S/4 HANA experience is required.
• Advanced knowledge of Excel and Microsoft Office tools.
• Experience with Pivot Tables, VLOOKUPS, and Macros.
• Experience in PowerBI is a strong asset.

Key Relationships
This role will establish close relationships with Supply Planning, Demand Planning, Sales, Quality, and Strategic Sourcing, as well as vendors.

Management of relationships with Production Planning and Operations is key to success.

Working Conditions

• Nearly always work indoors in a corporate office environment with long periods of sitting.
• May experience progressive degrees of changing factors in the work process (changing priorities, deadlines, accuracy, quotas, conflicting demands).
• May be exposed to minimal hazards in the work environment, such as excessive noise or powered industrial vehicles during plant visits.
• May occasionally be exposed to loud sounds and distracting noise levels.
• May be required to work after hours or on an on-call basis.

Travel

• Employee will be required to travel approximately 15% of the time.
• Occasional visits to IPEX manufacturing plants and distribution centres.