The Commodity Specialist has hands-on responsibility for procurement, and materials Replenishment Strategy supporting the Production Value Streams (VS), including inventory and non-inventory spend. Daily responsibilities include support & development of Lean Processes per VS replenishment requirements and overseeing Buyer/Planner purchasing implementation. Measures of success include Sourcing Savings, customer OTD, DOS, and backlog management. The Commodity Specialist integrates the use of Reporting, MRP, Lean, and Work Order Capacity Planning to maintain efficiencies in supply chain management from material replenishment through the Production output stage of customer order fulfillment. The Commodity Specialist is responsible for Supply Chain monthly/quarterly/yearly reporting to management of metrics including documentation of evidence of achievement in all metric areas.

Job Duties:

• Responsible for identifying and realizing Sourcing Cost Reduction & Productivity initiatives related to Supplier Strategy and replenishment needs of the Production Group

• Manage all facets of supply chain that effect internal customer, external customer and total cost of ownership

• Solicit and analyze bids and negotiate binding contracts with suppliers

• Analyze material requirements to ensure uninterrupted kanban-sized flow of materials and services for designated VS using MRP, Kanban (visual signaling) researching current spend and supplier utilization to determine opportunities for improved costs, quality, on time delivery and service

• Facilitate and manage both the development and oversight of supplier transition plans as necessary

• Responsible for price and delivery terms with suppliers that minimize material cost, lead time, inventory levels (DOS), while meeting replenishment requirements for customer OTD

• Manage procurement of assigned material including order placement, expediting & discrepant material resolution (MRB)

• Lead and provide guidance in the supplier performance activities with the top suppliers by actively working with SQE (Supplier Quality Engineer), serves as a key evaluator of potential new suppliers

• Manage New Product Development Supply Chain activities during product design and introductions that involve purchased materials, tooling and services for respective commodity area of expertise

• Maintain and/or create reports as needed to monitor inventory levels, support build schedules, maintain Kanban systems, achieve Sourcing Savings, and others

• Drive to eliminate material shortages and/or planning work order delays through direct involvement with Production resources and Suppliers and provide alternative courses of action to prevent Production delays

• Maintain and improve Lean techniques for inventory and spend management including: point of use stocking, just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing planning, JIT materials replenishment, vendor managed inventory, and outsourcing

• Maintain accurate finished goods, Work-In-Process and raw material planning

• Daily production purchasing (discrete and blanket) of various types of material including: PCBs, sheet metal, machined parts, catalog items, and others

• Visit suppliers regularly to assess available capacity & capability to meet Production JIT replenishment needs and performance (cost, quality, lead time, etc.)

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelors Degree in Business Administration, Engineering or a related discipline (experience, ongoing educational progress and certification may be considered in lieu of a BA degree).

• Minimum of 3-5 years experience purchasing and planning in a Lean, (kanban, demand pull, point of use, etc) electro-mechanical manufacturing environment.

• MAPICS or other ERP/MRP system such as SAP.

• Minimum of 3 years in a commodity focused Sourcing role required.

• This position may involve access to technology and/or software whose export is controlled by regulations of the U.S. government. Any final job offer will be extended only to otherwise qualified candidates who also meet the level of export control requirements applicable to the position.

Desired Qualifications:

• Excellent communication and computer skills including routine use of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook

• Demonstrated Leadership ability and the desire to lead teams and projects

• Proven negotiating skills

• International procurement experience

• CPM, CPIM or APICS certification a Plus

• Project Management experience preferred