Associate Buyer

The Opportunity:

At Avantor, people are the most important part of our success because they drive our global performance. That’s why our Operations, Lab Services, Sales, and many other Avantor teams rely on our talent acquisition initiatives to attract, engage and hire the right talent. Avantor’s Sourcing vertical is a crucial part of this mix, enabling all our internal teams worldwide to grow beyond their limits.

The Associate Buyer will execute purchase orders to meet replenishment plan as well as customer demand variations to maximize customer service. Nurture working relationships with vendors to ensure superb delivery performance.  Purchase to support stocking strategies and inventory policies and maintain a strategic inventory position to support customer needs.

This position will report into the Procurement Supervisor and will report into EITHER our Devens, MA OR Morrisville, NC locations.

What we’re looking for:

• Education: High School Diploma or GED
• Experience: Minimum of one (1) year in a manufacturing, operations, or supply chain related field required.
  • Experience utilizing ERP system for planning/procurement/operations (Experience with Epicor preferred)
  • Experience in a regulated environment such as cGMP, ISO, or FDA preferred.
  • Excellent skills in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word and PowerPoint

Who you are:

• Strong analytical and interpersonal skills with ability to effectively work in a team environment.
• Excellent with multi-tasking, follow-up and execution of assignments
• Comprehensive knowledge of MRP systems
• Demonstrated ability to effectively plan and manage/multiple SKUs
• Excellent problem-solving skills
• Excellent time management and prioritization skills
• Thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, efficiently works under pressures, within deadlines or other time essential constraints.
• Excellent listening skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong sense of urgency, initiative, and drive
• Detail oriented, solution focused.

• Understands the financial impact of variances, purchase prices and inventory investment.
• Excellent computer skills: ability to learn new systems quickly and maneuver the internet and internal intranet sites with ease
• Strong drive for results

How you will thrive and create an impact:

• Execute replenishment plan by placing economical purchase orders based on lead time, discount schedules.
• Supports maintaining vendor relationship and resolve issues related to delivery performance, price variances, minimums, and logistics issues.  Provide regular feedback on critical vendors to ensure proactive compliance to committed performance.
• Works with inventory manager to ensure days of supply goals are met; actively reduces slow, excess, and obsolete inventory.
• Maintains critical supply chain data to support forecasting, customer communication and product planning throughout the organization. 
• Reconciles invoices as required.
• Communicates as needed with manufacturing, customer service, quality, marketing, sourcing and operations departments regarding product availability and delivery schedules.
• Improves the responsiveness of the operation through managing lead times and collaborating with stakeholders to improve the supply chain.
• Establishes and deploys best practices to ensure customer and business expectations are met for all inventory planning and business strategies.
• Performs other duties as assigned with or without accommodation.

Disclaimer:
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position. Avantor is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Why Avantor?

Dare to go further in your career. Join our global team of 14,000+ associates whose passion for discovery and determination to overcome challenges relentlessly advances life-changing science.
 
The work we do changes people's lives for the better. It brings new patient treatments and therapies to market, giving a cancer survivor the chance to walk his daughter down the aisle. It enables medical devices that help a little boy hear his mom's voice for the first time. Outcomes such as these create unlimited opportunities for you to contribute your talents, learn ne