Buyer/Senior Buyer

Company Description

Every minute of every day, Smiths Detection’s threat detection and security screening technology helps to protect people and infrastructure, making the world a safer place. 

Smiths Detection, part of Smiths Group is a global leader in the development, manufacture and management of security and detection solutions designed to make the world a safer place. Our technology provides threat detection and screening solutions for customers in our key markets: aviation, ports and borders, defence, and urban security.

Our expertise spans 21 global offices, seven manufacturing sites and five R&D centres, with a global network of 3,000 dedicated colleagues contributing towards over 40 years at the frontline of advances in safety and security.  

This results in careers built on variety and the opportunity to work on a range of state-of-the-art solutions, where you can develop your knowledge and experience every day.

Job Description

The Buyer will review/create purchase requisitions and create/maintain purchase orders in line with MRP messages to meet the factory plans created by the Production Planning Team while minimizing inventory and production shortages. The Buyer will interface between the procurement, inventory/warehousing, production, planning, category managers, customer service and technology personnel, and will be the primary contact with vendors ensuring supplier performance is measured and corrective actions completed.

Essential functions

Job duties to include but are not limited to;

• Create purchase orders in line with the Production Schedule to meet production and customer requirements
• Participate in shop floor reviews to ensure that material availability is clearly communicated
• Identify supplier delivery issues, develop alternatives/contingencies and communicate them to key stakeholders
• Implement materials management strategies and drive raw material inventory reduction to achieve inventory turn goals
• Routine measure Procurement Process Performance/KPI’s: Supplier Performance, Supplier OTD, PO’s overdue, Invoice overdue, etc.
• Use best practice techniques to determine effective lot sizing for raw materials
• Use best practice techniques to determine effective safety stock and re-order point levels and update accordingly
• Use best practice techniques to determine and effective communicate and maintain lead-times in the planning system
• To develop and communicate material recovery plans when shop floor output falls behind the plan
• Addresses issues associated with purchase price and quantity variances to ensure timely payment of invoices or return of merchandise.
• To support the Material Review process (MRB) and execute transactions in a timely manner
• Provide support and best-practices to develop global and local purchasing processes
• Provides supply chain reporting and analytical support as needed
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives to develop and support the purchasing activities of the Supply Chain Management team
• Complying with all relevant legal requirements & Smiths policies and procedures, including business ethics, data protection and health & safety
• Other duties assigned.

Qualifications

Education Requirements

Required/Preferred: Preferred

Years of Experience: 5+ years 

Education Level: Associate degree Preferred

Technical Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Worked as a buyer in a manufacturing environment, familiar with multi-level BoMs and experienced in high volume/low mix and low volume/high mix product ranges.
• Commercially astute and able to manage a diverse supply base
• Strong knowledge of MS Excel presentation skills
• Understanding of Six Sigma Lean manufacturing, JIT, Kanban, VMI or other supply chain methodology are desirable
• Knowledge of SAP R3 ERP system or similar system preferred
• Strong analytical and critical thinking/problem solving skills

Background:                

This position may require Sensitive Security Information (SSI) access and vetting via the TSA. If required, applicant must successfully pass a federal background investigation.
This position may require a U.S. Personal Security Clearance.

SDI is a Federal Contractor and a drug-free workplace. By submitting an application, I confirm that I understand that the Company has a right to require me to submit to a drug test prior to employment and at any time during my employment, to the extent permitted by law.

Additional Information

We offer…

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