Sr. Buyer - Fire Truck Industry

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Requisition ID: 20168 Spartan Emergency Response (Spartan ER) is a leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of custom emergency response vehicles, cabs, and chassis. Driven by a commitment to quality and innovation, Spartan and its portfolio of brands Spartan Fire Apparatus and Chassis, Smeal Fire Apparatus, and Ladder Tower (LT) offer a broad range of apparatus to meet specific requirements and demands of the fire service industry. Spartan has a rich history in fire apparatus manufacturing with over 250 years of combined experience.   Spartan Emergency Response is part of the larger REV Group (NYSE: REVG), a leading manufacturer of specialty vehicles for the fire & emergency, commercial, and recreation markets. REV Group’s extensive vehicle line-up includes models such as ambulances, fire trucks, school buses, terminal trucks, RV’s, luxury buses, and much more. Our 6,500+ employees continuously demonstrate their commitment to building innovative and reliable vehicles that our customers can depend on whether for a family trip across the U.S. or when responding to an emergency. Rev Group is a veteran friendly employer and hires over 200 veterans and or those transferring out of the military each year.  

The Sr. Buyer position is responsible for identifying, developing, and implementing supplier and product value stream improvement initiatives with assigned suppliers or commodities through the effective use and support of the Strategic Sourcing, Cost Targeting, Supplier Performance Planning, Supplier Development and Value Analysis/Value Engineering (VAVE) processes.

 

 

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support and coordinate with engineering department to implement VAVE improvements
• Lead strategic sourcing for commodities, as identified by SCM leadership
• Responsible for spends less than or equal to $50 million including identifying annual cost savings targets, sustainable cost savings, and total cost analysis impact
• Develop, negotiate, and implement contracts with value up to $100k
• Understand and interpret cost breakdowns of suppliers
• Negotiate with suppliers on current cost elements, with supervision
• Understand philosophy and tools of lean manufacturing
• Apply formal project management principles to work, as needed, including setting and meeting milestones and expectations
• Manage relationships with peers at assigned suppliers to effectively mitigate risk
• Lead and support special projects, as needed
• Communicate quality and engineering information / requirements to internal and external resources, as required
• Utilize critical thinking to make trade-offs / concessions
• Resolve major supply disruptions affecting customers
• Perform cost analysis, as needed
• Support continuous improvement objectives, internally and externally
• Other tasks as assigned

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Materials Management, Finance, Engineering or Operations Management preferred
• Minimum of four years experience in a professional procurement role with exposure to a variety of manufacturing processes and commodities
• Working knowledge of all aspects of business operations, including Finance, Accounting, Legal, Materials Management, Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, etc.
• Basic understanding of prepared financial statements
• Strong and consistent attention to detail
• Self-motivated with the ability to stay on task
• Versatile, flexible, and a willingness to work within constantly changing priorities
• Creative and innovative team player
• Intermediate computer skills are required
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
• Proven knowledge (or ability to quickly learn) of Spartan’s products and components
• Sound judgment with the ability to make timely decisions
• Able to:
  • Effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment
  • Deal effectively with a variety of individuals at all organizational levels
• Strong:
  • Communication skills, verbal and written
  • Negotiation skills
  • Organizational, problem-solving, and analytical skills
• Willing to:
  • Maintain a flexible and extended work schedule as needed to accomplish objectives
  • Travel as needed

 

EDUCATION AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's Degree - Preferred
• Area of Study: Business, Materials management, finance, Engineering or Operations, Management.
• Functional Experience: 4-6 years, Professional procurement role with exposure to a variety of manufacturing processes and commodities.

 

 

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

 

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