JOB PURPOSE AND REPORTING STRUCTURE:

Under the direction of the Purchasing Manager, the Strategic Buyer is responsible for purchasing and negotiating services, materials and supplies from vendors. Evaluates vendor performance, capabilities, pricing and services to determine most desirable suppliers. Has knowledge of commonly-used concepts, practices, and procedures within the field. Relies on instructions and pre-established guidelines to perform the functions of the job.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all-inclusive and may be expanded from time to time to include other duties and responsibilities, as management may deem necessary.

• Comply with all safety and health guidelines, quality standard practices/procedures and housekeeping standards.

• Develop and implement sourcing strategies and communication plan.

• Analyze and optimize the process related to the spend category through the right choice of procurement tools

• Ensure alignment between business strategy and sourcing strategy

• Set objectives to be achieved through the sourcing strategy and monitor achievement.

• Drive negotiation strategy from category positioning and negotiate to achieve the objectives defined in alignment with the business

• Manage suppliers and ensure that all the key suppliers within the spend category.

• Ensure the agreed service levels are adhered to.

• Collaborate with engineering on new product development activities to support projects, align design with our strategic supply base, and deliver products on time and at or below cost targets.

• Evaluate current spend and supplier data and identify improvement opportunities and new idea projects.

• Support of manufacturing site requirements, leveraging spend across locations to identify and implement sourcing and process improvements to strengthen and accelerate supply chain initiatives.

• Project and/or Program Manager activities, leading projects to meet objectives and drive operational results.

• Assess and adjust supply base capability and capacity to minimize potential supply disruptions.

• Develop, measure, and manage key supplier performance metrics.

• Evaluate existing vendor base, to establish current state. Once established, define future state / "best in class" supply chain / supplier design requirements.

• Interface with decentralized procurement teams to establish "local" manufacturing site inputs / requirements are aligned with center led strategy.

• Categorize, and define supplier spend to manage risk, and liability.

• Design, lead, negotiate, and implement multiyear contracts (as applicable)

• Maximize "year over year" working capital improvements.

• Design and lead vendor transitions (Outsourcing, Insourcing, Vendor to Vendor)

• Prioritize highest level of quality, and continuity of supply for location / category

• Support cross-functional efforts to reduce costs, standardize components

• Critical to ensure strong, value-adding relationships with suppliers, internal customers, and cross-functional departments

• Supervisory Responsibilities - None.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

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

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

Requires a bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain or Operations Management from a four-year college or university and seven to nine years' experience in commodity management or strategic sourcing role.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS:

Must be able to effectively communicate with other employees to share information, solves problems, and instructs or train lesser skilled employees. Must have the ability to read and interpret complex documents such as blueprints, shop orders, work plans, and short correspondence. Must be able to write standard reports and documentation.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Requires the ability to operate various equipment to include computer, various precision measuring devices and lifting devices. Requires a broad knowledge of tooling, material characteristics, and general manufacturing and machining practices. Should be knowledgeable and/or familiar with applicable ISO/TS and quality system requirements and policies.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk and/or hear, and/or use hands to finger, handle, or touch objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand, and/or walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. The mental and physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING/EQUIPMENT REQUIRED:

Safety glasses and safety shoes must be worn in all manufacturing areas. Additional PPE may be required as needed.

Benefits: Our Total Rewards program offers world class benefits for this full-time position:

• Medical Insurance-PPO & HDHP HSA within 61 days of your start date
• Dental & Vision insurance
• Wellness Program
• Life Insurance
• Short-term & Long Term disability
• Paid vacations plus 10 paid Holidays
• Quarterly Performance Bonus
• 401k Matching up to 5.5%
• Tuition Reimbursement
• On-site Fitness center (Hartford & Brown Deer Only)
• On-site Chiropractor (Hartford Only)

Signicast offers a breadth of opportunities from career development planning to help our employees grow into their next position through individualized planning and training to in-depth leadership development for our next generation of leaders.