Job Summary

Under minimum supervision the Buyer – materials are responsible for preparation, issuance, and monitoring of purchase orders for purchased inventory parts (direct spend) that are used to support our manufacturing facilities.

Reviews, analyzes, implements, and executes direct purchasing in support of business strategy, production requirements and engineering plans. Proactively reports material availability and service issues to key stake holders, escalates to leadership where appropriate, monitors and provides regular updates until gap is closed.

Leads projects that actively improve the purchasing process.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsible for raw material price (PPV), quantity (Inventory) and delivery (OTD).
• Maintains Purchasing related master data in ERP, including updating standard pricing, setting max/min levels, reorder points, etc.
• Implements appropriate material stocking programs in support of overall business strategies, customer requirements and production plans, while minimizing excess and obsolete inventory.
• Process Purchase Requests to purchase materials directly used in manufacturing.
• Make purchasing decisions in accordance with standard work and from preferred suppliers.
• Analyze and review purchase orders for accuracy and completion.
• Support purchasing activities including data gathering, preparing quote/proposal packages (RFQ/RFP), evaluating quotes, making supplier recommendations, and executing contracts.
• Works with Engineering teams on new projects and quoting new materials
• Assures that problems relating to delivery, quality or pricing are promptly conveyed to suppliers and resolved in a timely manner, escalating to Leadership for support when appropriate.
• Accurately file all required documentation.
• Obtain competitive pricing/new sources for materials that do not have a preferred supplier with a Total Cost of Ownership view (Line-Item Price, Rebates, Early Payment Discounts).
• Maintain an efficient and accurate system for monitoring all open purchase orders with appropriately maintained purchase order arrival dates.
• Maintain strict confidentiality with all purchasing information and programs.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to provide requested goods
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with internal customers while supporting production needs.
• Report on shortages, spending metrics, and vendor performance as assigned.
• Takes an owner mindset and constantly negotiates price and delivery
• Responds timely to all requests.
• All other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations, Business, Industrial Engineering, or other related field (or equivalent experience).
• Minimum of 2 years purchasing experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience working with an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system required.
• Prior experience implementing inventory strategies such as Kanban and Reorder Point preferred.
• Prior experience consolidating direct spend and implementing Vendor Managed Inventory preferred.
• APICS certification (CSCP or CPIM), CPP or CPM certification preferred/willingness to pursue professional accreditation.

Preferred Skills and Abilities

• Strong understanding of MRP principles and Supply/Demand relationships with BOM structures
• Ability to understand and analyze MRP outputs, stock, and status reports, as well as component shortage reports.
• Strong negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Self-starter with strong organizational skills and high degree of accuracy and detail.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills both written and verbal with the ability to work effectively with all levels of employees, suppliers, and customers.
• Ability to influence, negotiate and drive changes.
• Proficient with MS Office applications: Word, PowerPoint, Excel.
• Work well under deadlines.
• Ability to work with little direct daily supervision.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to work cross functionally, globally and remotely.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to look at a computer screen, reports and other documents.  The employee is regularly required to use their hands on a computer keyboard or a calculator.  The employee is regularly required to sit, talk, hear and interact with other employees.  The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Travel Required

None

Equal Opportunity Statement

Nordson Corporation provides equal employment opportunity to all applicants and employees. No person is to be discriminated against in any aspect of the employment relationship due to race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, citizenship status, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of our pre-employment drug screening and background/criminal check, consistent with applicable laws.