Senior Buyer

  • Full-time

Company Description

KMC Systems, a division of Elbit Systems of America, is a leading contract designer and manufacturer of medical devices and instrumentation for OEM’s in the areas of diagnostic, therapeutic, and biomedical products. With more than 40 years of experience, KMC is an ISO 13485 certified and FDA registered firm with expertise in all aspects of product development, verification, design for and transition to production. Additional capabilities include flexible turnkey manufacturing, depot and field service repair and full compliance with FDA QSR regulations and GMP practices.

Elbit Systems of America is a world leader in the design and manufacture of avionics flight instruments, technologically sophisticated defense systems and diagnostic medical instrumentation. Elbit Systems of America (ESA) combines the close-knit teamwork and high visibility of a small company with the stability and resources only a large company can provide. Add in our employee-friendly corporate culture and great southern New Hampshire lifestyle, and you’ll see why joining ESA could be the best move of your career.

KMC Systems Engineers provide leadership for small to mid-sized cross-functional program teams to deliver the technical content, performance, intellectual property and quality deliverables for new product development programs. Drives the architecture, vision and design requirements for the product all the time balancing implementation complexity, risks, manufacturability, serviceability and quality. The Systems Engineer must understand and capture the user needs into system requirements. The System Engineer helps to ensure that the quality targets are satisfied and retires technical risks as they arise on the program. The Systems Engineer maintains close interaction with customers to understand and enhance the ability to deliver customer satisfaction through higher product quality.

 

Job Description

The Senior Buyer is responsible for all materials planning and production scheduling for assigned products and/or manufacturing cells to meet the guidelines established by the Master Schedule. Purchase a wide variety of nonstandard, specialized and custom equipment and materials requiring knowledge of electronic and/or mechanical product specifications and sources of supply. Negotiate and award purchase orders. Evaluates requisitions for custom nonstandard items, conferring with technical personnel on specifications and possible alternatives; determines the best sources of supply; maintains and utilizes commodity knowledge & market conditions to reduce component pricing. Establishes preferred suppliers while setting expectations and activities to enable cost reduction from those suppliers. Works with respective material planner to identify cost reduction opportunities from the future planned order release.

Responsibilities:

  • Strong ability to lead electronic/electromechanical component purchasing teams to achieve scheduled results and commit to contract delivery dates.
  • Reviews financial budgets for assigned programs and is responsible for all data input and approvals.
  • Analyzes open commitments reports and works effectively with supplier to maximize cash flow opportunities.
  • Works on complex “developmental” and “transition to production” programs and other projects with no supervision.
  • Visits suppliers as part of a team environment and provides valuable assessments. Utilizing demonstrated understanding of supplier capabilities, makes sound supplier selections.
  • Creates planning BOM and ensures accuracy for customer  .
  • Has strong knowledge of MRP and understands its relationship with most facets of the business.
  • Releases all orders, manages all exceptions, and uses multi-level pegging to resolve requirement issues from the ERP workbench.
  • Releases orders to the shop and suppliers with more discreet scheduling than suggested to optimize inventory levels. Can negotiate and set up Kanban without assistance.
  • Prioritizes multiple items through inspection and internal suppliers. Coordinates resources to expedite competing priorities.
  • Identifies the need for an inventory replenishment program and works with a manufacturing team and supplier(s) to establish the right type of replenishment strategy.
  • Assists in the establishment of project goals, milestones, and procedures; defines roles and responsibilities; acquires project resources; monitors project progress; manages multiple projects.
  • Communicates well both verbally and in writing, creates accurate and punctual reports, delivers presentations, shares information and ideas with others, has good listening skills.
  • Cooperates with coworkers and helps team leader meet goals. Shares information and ideas with the team. Treats others with respect and supports their ideas, listens to others ideas, asks questions, encourages others to exchange or support their ideas. Meets all team deadlines and responsibilities.
  • Understands the need to develop a relationship and develops a strategy to build a strong relationship, especially with key suppliers.
  • Able to develop complicated RFPs and quoting strategies. Determines sourcing selection based on negotiation results.
  • Trains and mentors junior level buyer/planners in negotiation strategies as well as handling potential conflicts.
  • Determines and develops best sources of supply from knowledge of supply base, product performance and capabilities.
  • Obtains quotes from suppliers negotiating for optimum pricing, quality, delivery schedule and terms and conditions.
  • Negotiates and drafts fixed pricing agreements with selected suppliers.
  • Capability to manage the ESA Vendor Managed inventory Program (VMI) and control the demand signals from EPR via electronic file distribution.
  • Manages commodity purchase order placement in a timely manner to support the Program schedule needs as well as department metrics and Company goals for inventory turns.
  • Assures all specifications and regulations are provided in the purchasing agreements.
  • Provides recommendations for orders over dollar threshold and after receiving approval negotiate and award these orders.
  • Serves as liaison between company and supplier regarding all changes in or problems with material deliveries to meet production schedules.
  • Actively seek assistance of other departments to insure fulfillment of the purchase order.
  • Interfaces with Program Management and/or production/material planning personnel to coordinate efforts to obtain material deliveries no earlier or later than required for production.
  • Performs in-depth price analysis utilizing commodity knowledge and market conditions to reduce component pricing.
  • Establishes preferred suppliers and initiate expectations and activities to enable cost reduction from the suppliers.
  • Works with respective team members to identify cost reduction opportunities from the future planned order release.
  • Request assistance from interfacing departments such as Finance or Legal as required, negotiating the purchase in accordance with company and government regulations.
  • Coordinate the resolution to supplier problems with interfacing departments.
  • Interview supplier representatives and keep abreast of product technology/life cycles and supplier status.
  • Provide leadership and training for Commodity, Specification and Transformation Buyers.
  • Participate on and lead continuous improvement activities.
  • Support attainment of Process Based Leadership Scorecard Goals.
  • Other related duties as assigned by supervisor.  

 

Qualifications

  • BS or BA degree in Business, Supply Chain, Operations or equivalent related required.
  • MBA or Master’s Degree in related business field of study preferred.
  • Green Belt or Yellow Belt certification with training or project completion preferred.
  • Minimum of 10 years of experience in supply chain, materials management or a related field.
  • Minimum 5 years Oracle ERP experience or equivalent required.
  • APICS certification preferred.
  • Exceptional analytical and conceptual thinking skills.
  • Knowledge of fixed pricing agreements and vendor managed inventory.
  • Commodity Management Experience
  • The ability to influence stakeholders and work closely with them to determine acceptable solutions.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Experience creating detailed reports and presentations.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft applications including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.

Additional Information

As a contractor to the U.S. federal government, all Elbit Systems of America employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. As a result, full vaccination is required for this position unless you are legally entitled to an accommodation.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

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