Associate Buyer

Overview

The Associate Buyer manages the day-to-day commercial relationship between BISSELL and a portfolio of lower-complexity, lower risk finished goods suppliers and parts suppliers. This role executes purchasing activities, supports supplier performance and cost management, and coordinates cross-functionally to maintain on time delivery and healthy inventory. The Associate Buyer supports new model introductions, helps implement cost reduction initiatives, and resolves routine supplier issues while escalating more complex or higher-stakes matters.

The Associate Buyer manages the day-to-day commercial relationship between BISSELL and a portfolio of lower-complexity, lower risk finished goods suppliers and parts suppliers. This role executes purchasing activities, supports supplier performance and cost management, and coordinates cross-functionally to maintain on time delivery and healthy inventory. The Associate Buyer supports new model introductions, helps implement cost reduction initiatives, and resolves routine supplier issues while escalating more complex or higher-stakes matters.

Procurement Operations & Order Execution

• Ensure smooth, automated conversion of requisitions to POs, resolve exceptions, and drive on-time, complete supplier shipments.
• Release incremental POs in Oracle for expense items to support project timelines and supplier requirements.
• Manage direct import purchase orders with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Coordinate PO expediting and resolve discrepancies in supplier shipments, terms, and invoicing.
• Confirm supplier compliance with agreed PO terms, conditions, and BISSELL quality and delivery standards.
• Resolve routine accounts payable and receivable issues with suppliers and maintain accurate product costing in Oracle.

• Align assigned suppliers to o9 released forecasts, work routine uncommitted demand, and manage day-to-day upside / downside changes while escalating significant swings.
• Monitor supply capacity against forecasts, identify constraints early, and support cross-functional mitigation plans (level loading, build-ahead, capacity) as needed.
• Coordinate with suppliers to set production schedules that balance supplier efficiency with BISSELL demand requirements.
• Support achievable delivery timelines for derivatives and promotional programs, keeping stakeholders updated on schedules and deadlines.
• Supports new item set up activities across internal systems (Windchill, Oracle, o9, etc.) and with suppliers; partners cross functionally with Marketing to help ensure all product details (e.g. matrices, colors, packaging artwork) are released on time to meet approval and production timelines. Tracks AAR / PPAP approvals, coordinates with suppliers to confirm setup completion, and maintain accurate cost data in pricing agreements.
• Surface production, quality, and logistics risks promptly so the team can act before they become blockers.
• Support product and supplier end of life execution to protect margin and close programs cleanly.
• Execute final buys for finished goods and spare parts.
• Help minimize obsolescence risk for raw materials, work in process, and finished goods.
• Support final Quality Sharing settlements for supplier exits; escalating where necessary to the Manager.
• Coordinate tooling and fixed-asset disposition.

• Supports efforts to improve product flow and reduce total delivered cost; identify and flag drivers of excess carrying cost, storage, and freight.
• Maintain accurate, current product costing in Oracle and Master Supplier Forecast / DOMO to ensure cost records reflect negotiated pricing and are updated promptly following supplier changes or SEC implementation.
• Manage component inventory for assigned suppliers. Analyze monthly inventory reports, maintain long lead time and MOQ tracking. Drive routine actions; support claims and recovery settlements, escalating larger negotiations.

• Manage the day-to-day relationship with assigned suppliers; coordinate forecast alignment, production schedules, quality performance, and site audits. Serve as the key link between external partners and internal cross-functional teams.
• Collaborates with suppliers and internal Supply / Demand Planning Teams to drive reduction of order to ship lead time to the 45 day target, proactively identifying and resolving constraints.
• Maintain Procurement metrics for supplier performance scorecards, collect and analyze performance data, and support the Procurement portion of quarterly scorecard reviews with suppliers and internal stakeholders to drive corrective action and continuous improvement.
• Coordinate supplier site inspections for CTPAT, quality, and customer direct-ship audits and track and follow up on improvement plans.
• Participate in internal cross-functional efforts with Supply / Demand Planning, Logistics, Quality to streamline end-to-end supply chain performance,…