The Role

As we continue to grow as QuidelOrtho, we are seeking a Buyer / Planner III to work in our manufacturing facility in Rochester, NY. The Buyer / Planner III has responsibility for assigned raw materials including but not limited to assessing demand, supply, inventory, pricing, quality, and master data management in the ERP system (SAP specifically) supporting Rochester Operations. The buying aspects of the position include creation, maintenance and tracking of purchase orders for raw materials and services used in QuidelOrtho' s manufacturing process. The candidate will be responsible for achieving quality, cost and delivery goals to support the business unit operating plan. Management of non-conformances and resolution of invoicing issues are included to the scope of this position. Development and maintenance of relationships with business partners (Operations, Warehouse, Finance, Quality and Product Support), as well as partnering with the Procurement leads and suppliers is also a core component for this role. The Buyer / Planner III should also spearhead projects, crisis resolution action plans and will work in partnership with departmental leadership in improving process and efficiency. The individual may also play the role of SAP Super User due to his/her experience and know-how in resolving system issues as well as improvement initiatives.

This position is onsite in Rochester, NY

• Development of material purchase plans and preparation of quote requests and purchase orders for the timely and economical purchase of goods and services in consideration of cost, quality and delivery metrics.

• Point of contact for suppliers, ensuring purchase order adherence, facilitation of expedites/de-expedites.

• Establishment and maintenance of appropriate material safety stock levels.

• SAP maintenance of material master data, purchase orders, planned delivery dates, settling of invoice discrepancies.

• Attendance on daily production / planning meetings, providing updates as required.

• Leadership of cross-functional initiatives / projects focusing on departmental and business unit goals.

• Setting of ERP parameters to troubleshoot and resolve issues and to make sure ERP works to improve team’s efficiency, by enabling adequate focus on priorities.

• Deployment of problem-solving techniques to identify and mitigate root causes on issues pertaining to material shortages, process improvement, and risk mitigation.

• Perform other work-related duties as assigned.

• Master’s degree preferred, but relevant combination of education and experience may be considered.

• APICS CPIM certification preferred, but relevant supply chain credentials and experience may be considered.

• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in a highly regulated manufacturing environment or business is required; with more than 7 years preferred.

Required Skills and Behaviors

Advanced level expected in:

• Understanding assigned category and its intricacies, suppliers and special cases.

• Knowledge of Raw Material integration points between production planning (PP) and materials management (MM) as well as ERP systems (SAP, Ariba) and other business tools, such as Power BI.

• Terms and conditions and its implications, payment terms, Incoterms.

• Internal Standard Operating Procedures, including but not limited to quality, master data management, product lifecycle management, order management.

• Building excellent relationships with key internal and external customers based on trust and respect.

• Developing material purchase plans, preparing purchase orders for acquisition of goods and services in consideration of cost, quality and delivery metrics.

• Forecasting / explaining purchase price variance versus standard cost.

• Reviewing production schedules and raw material requirements and project variance scenarios in terms of inventory quantity and value.

• Driving business results, focusing on group achievement rather than individual preferences.

• Actively seeking to move away from reactive planning management to pro-active by utilizing adequate ERP exception messages and KPIs.

• Ability to work within a high-performing team, displaying a highly collaborative behavior.

Proficient level expected in:

• Knowledge of cost breakdown, price formation and working capital to support prediction and explanation of variances, as well as negotiations.

• Leading projects and cross-functional action plans to manage crises and for continuous improvement initiatives.

• Deploying problem resolution techniques to manage crises (supply risks, payment disputes) and to continuously improve following lean techniques and learned lessons.

• Clearly communicating results of analyses in verbal and written format as well as illustrating trends by utilizing supply plan templates and graphical charts.

• Capability to adjust communication according to the needs of stakeholders at different levels inside and outside the organization.

• Ability to use ERP systems (SAP), Power BI and common data software (such as MS Excel) to review and manipulate data as required.

• Ability to utilize EDI fundamentals for supplier integration as well as emerging technologies.

Required Travel:

• 10%, with potential for some international travel, but mostly domestic.

Advanced level expected in:

• Thorough understanding (Super User Level) of SAP Source-to-Pay and Materials Management workstreams to support troubleshooting occasional issues as well as process improvement initiatives.

• Highly adaptable, with appetite to identify and resolve issues before they become crises.

• Always “speaks with data” to respectfully substantiate his/her opinions and decisions.

Internal: Operations, Warehouse, Finance, Quality, Supply Chain, Engineering, Product Support

External: Vendors, Suppliers

The work environment characteristics are representative of an office, manufacturing, laboratory, and warehouse environment and include handling of viral and bacterial hazards, potentially hazardous chemicals, as well as infectious or potentially infectious bodily fluids, tissues and samples. Up to 75% of time at desk, standing or sitting extended periods of time. Flexible work hours to meet project deadlines.