Senior Buyer

The Senior Buyer is responsible for assuring the flow of quality materials and services to support manufacturing and on-time delivery to customers.

Vanguard EMS
, Inc. is in the service business. Even with Vanguard’s state of the art technology, vast manufacturing capability, and leading-edge information tools, we wake up every day thinking about how best to serve our customers, suppliers, and the communities in which we live.

• Work with program team to determine customer requirements and document any non-standard purchasing requirements (quality, traceability, documentation, FAR’s, etc.).
• Work with program team or directly with customers to plan for effective purchase of compliant material.
• Confer with vendors to obtain product/service information such as prices, availability, delivery schedule.
• Prepare bid specifications and review returned bids, terms and conditions.
• Place orders and work with suppliers to assure on-time delivery of defect-free material that meets all Vanguard and customer specifications.
• Qualify, approve and set‑up new suppliers and review performance of existing suppliers.
• Disposition of discrepant material, coordination of receiving discrepancies, and return‑to‑vendor actions.
• Review shortages or excess material on order; determine/execute plan of action to minimize/eliminate.
• Review and create strategies for changes in forecast, LT, sourcing, new products, and customer needs.
• Support accounting, material control and inventory requirements as requested.
• Manage inventory to support of “weeks of inventory” and “turns” goals.
• Use online service tools to manage component program EOL (end of life) and PCN notifications.
• Look for continuous improvement in system/procedure updates, cost reduction, corrective action, and development of purchasing tools, and perform other duties as assigned.

• Advanced proficiency in computer systems, including MS Excel (vlookups, etc), Office, and Outlook.
• Strong problem solving, proactive follow‑up and relationship building and negotiation skills.
• Self‑motivated, initiative for processes (problem‑solving, making decisions, taking risks, owning outcome).
• Ability to assimilate large quantities of numeric and verbal data and work in a team environment with a wide range of functions including production, purchasing, customer service, and material handling.

• High School Diploma, GED or equivalent.
• Use of MRP/ERP systems.
• Purchasing of a variety of raw materials.

• Business Certificate or Degree.
• CPM, CPSM and/or CPIM.
• Purchasing of electronic components in a Contract Manufacturing environment.
• Fourth Shift MRP experience.
• Experience in a regulated environment (ISO 13485, As9100, FDA).

While performing the duties of this job, the employee uses his/her hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, or crouch; talk or hear. The employee uses computer and telephone equipment. Specific vision requirements of this job include close vision and distance vision.

• Medical, Dental & Vision
• 401K (with employer match)
• Up to 120 hours earned paid time off in the first year of employment
• Paid holidays