Senior Buyer - Supply Chain Management

What you’ll do:

PRIMARY FUNCTION
The Senior Buyer is responsible for the strategic procurement of a broad range of complex materials and services required to support plant production and operational objectives. This position evaluates and implements effective procurement and inventory strategies, leveraging Lean principles and supply chain tools to optimize material availability, inventory investment, total cost, and supplier performance.

The Senior Buyer partners with corporate and plant resources to identify and develop sources of supply, negotiate pricing and commercial terms, and support cost-reduction initiatives. Working closely with Supplier Quality and Engineering, this position supports supplier qualification and ensures purchased materials conform to applicable quality and manufacturing specifications.

This role also supports new product development and introduction activities, analyzes appropriate stocking and replenishment strategies, and proactively manages supplier relationships, quality, delivery, cost, and inventory performance in alignment with plant and company objectives.

Essential Functions:

•    Develop and execute procurement strategies that ensure the timely and cost-effective availability of materials required to support production while meeting established inventory objectives.
•    Maintain a thorough understanding of supplier capabilities, material requirements, production schedules, inventory policies, and supply chain constraints to proactively address material availability and supply risks.
•    Develop and implement methods and policies that promote the efficient movement and replenishment of materials into and throughout the plant. Utilize Lean principles, Kanban, and other appropriate supply chain tools to improve material flow and reduce waste.
•    Analyze inventory, delivery, and material availability issues; identify root causes; and recommend and implement solutions to optimize inventory levels, material flow, and production continuity.
•    Identify, evaluate, develop, and select new and alternate sources of supply to support capacity, cost, quality, delivery, and business continuity requirements.
•    Build and maintain effective working relationships with suppliers and serve as a primary point of contact for commercial, delivery, and performance-related matters.
•    Prepare and communicate product and service requirements to potential suppliers, solicit competitive quotations, evaluate proposals, and negotiate pricing, lead times, delivery terms, and other commercial conditions to achieve the best overall value.
•    Award, administer, and maintain purchase orders and supply agreements in accordance with established company policies, procedures, and authorization requirements.
•    Develop, coordinate, and manage strategic relationships with key suppliers to drive improvements in cost, quality, delivery, responsiveness, and overall supplier performance.
•    Maintain accurate procurement and supplier records within applicable business systems to support effective management of purchased materials and services.
•    Partner with corporate commodity management and cross-functional teams to identify and execute cost-reduction, productivity, and continuous improvement initiatives.
•    Monitor supplier performance and proactively address issues involving delivery, quality, capacity, lead time, pricing, and supply continuity.
•    Support inventory accuracy initiatives, including regular cycle counts for A-class and/or consignment inventory, and assist with the coordination and execution of the annual physical inventory.
•    Support new product development and introduction activities by coordinating sourcing, supplier readiness, material availability, and procurement requirements.
•    Serve as a senior-level procurement resource, providing guidance and support on complex sourcing, supplier, inventory, and material-related issues.

Qualifications:

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelors Degree from an accredited institution.
• Minimum five (5) years of experience within production, procurement, or engineering within a manufacturing environment
• Relocation benefits are being offered for this position. Candidates that currently reside or are willing to relocate within the immediate geographical area of 50 miles of Greenwood, SC will be considered. Active Duty Military Service member candidates are exempt from the geographical area limitation.
• Eaton will not consider applicants for employment immigration sponsorship or support for this position. This means that Eaton will not support any CPT, OPT, or STEM OPT plans, F-1, H-1B, H-1B cap registration, O-1, E-3, TN status, 1-485 job profitability, etc. 
• Must be able to work in the United States without corporate sponsorship now and within the future

Preferred Qualifications:
•    Eight (8) or more years of experience in procurement, supply chain, production, engineering, or a related discipline within a manufacturing environment. 
•    Master’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field. 
•    APICS certification, such as CPIM/CSCP, or equivalent professional supply chain certification. 
•    Advanced SAP experience, preferably at a Super User level. 
•    Experience with strategic sourcing, supplier development, contract negotiation, and cost-reduction initiatives.