Lead Buyer​/Planner

The Opportunity

Quidel Ortho unites the strengths of Quidel Corporation and Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, creating a world‑leading in vitro diagnostics company with award‑winning expertise in immunoassay and molecular testing, clinical chemistry and transfusion medicine. We are more than 6,000 strong and do business in over 130 countries, providing answers with fast, accurate and consistent testing where and when they are needed most - home to hospital, lab to clinic.

Our culture puts our team members first and prioritizes actions that support happiness, inspiration and engagement. We strive to build meaningful connections with each other as we believe that employee happiness and business success are linked. Join us in our mission to transform the power of diagnostics into a healthier future for all.

As we continue to grow as Quidel Ortho, we are seeking a Buyer / Planner III to work in our manufacturing facility in Rochester, NY. The Buyer / Planner III has responsibility for assigned raw materials including but not limited to assessing demand, supply, inventory, pricing, quality, and master data management in the ERP system (SAP specifically) supporting Rochester Operations. The buying aspects of the position include creation, maintenance and tracking of purchase orders for raw materials and services used in Quidel Ortho's manufacturing process.

The candidate will be responsible for achieving quality, cost and delivery goals to support the business unit operating plan. Management of non‑conformances and resolution of invoicing issues are included to the scope of this position. Development and maintenance of relationships with business partners (Operations, Warehouse, Finance, Quality and Product Support), as well as partnering with the Procurement leads and suppliers is also a core component for this role.

The Buyer / Planner III should also spearhead projects, crisis resolution action plans and will work in partnership with departmental leadership in improving process and efficiency. The individual may also play the role of SAP Super User due to his/her experience and know‑how in resolving system issues as well as improvement initiatives.

This position is onsite in Rochester, NY.

• Development of material purchase plans and preparation of quote requests and purchase orders for the timely and economical purchase of goods and services in consideration of cost, quality and delivery metrics.
• Point of contact for suppliers, ensuring purchase order adherence, facilitation of expedites/de‑expedites.
• Establishment and maintenance of appropriate material safety stock levels.
• SAP maintenance of material master data, purchase orders, planned delivery dates, settling of invoice discrepancies.
• Attendance on daily production / planning meetings, providing updates as required.
• Leadership of cross‑functional initiatives / projects focusing on departmental and business unit goals.
• Setting of ERP parameters to troubleshoot and resolve issues and to make sure ERP works to improve team's efficiency, by enabling adequate focus on priorities.
• Deployment of problem‑solving techniques to identify and mitigate root causes on issues pertaining to material shortages, process improvement, and risk mitigation.
• Perform other work‑related duties as assigned.

• Master's degree preferred, but relevant combination of education and experience may be considered.
• APICS CPIM certification preferred, but relevant supply chain credentials and experience may be considered.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in a highly regulated manufacturing environment or business is required; with more than 7 years preferred.

Required Skills and Behaviors

Advanced level expected in:

• Understanding assigned category and its intricacies, suppliers and special cases.
• Knowledge of Raw Material integration points between production planning (PP) and materials management (MM) as well as ERP systems (SAP, Ariba) and other business tools, such as Power BI.
• Terms and conditions and its implications, payment terms, Incoterms.
• Internal Standard Operating Procedures, including but not limited to quality, master data management,…