Senior Technical Buyer

Overview

Summary: Provides Parts, Equipment, and Materials and uses advanced technical background to provide engineering solutions for purchased part problems by responding to engineering and manufacturing needs, identifying suppliers, arranging delivery and planning material requirements. The Senior Technical Buyer is responsible for the procurement of complex materials, components, and services required for manufacturing and engineering projects. This role involves collaborating closely with engineering, production, and supply chain teams to ensure that technical specifications and project timelines are met while optimizing costs and maintaining supplier relationships.

• Provides engineering solutions for purchased part issues
• Assumes the lead role with respect to all technical purchasing decisions
• Leads, plans and manages purchased parts in on-site Vendor Stores
• Creates solutions to submit to engineering for issues or improvements relating to purchased part applications driven by supplier or manufacturer issues, cost reduction requirements, part availability or other purchasing issues
• Source and procure complex materials, components, and services that meet technical specifications and quality standards
• Interfaces with supplier, purchasing, and engineering as a team to create solutions to engineering issues
• Drives engineering on standardization of purchased parts supplier sourcing and brand selection across company divisions
• Reveal additional costs related to new part selections such as freight, import duties, fees, etc
• Analyze and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and project requirements to ensure accurate procurement
• Interfaces with Columbia's external customers through Columbia's Parts and Service departments to resolve purchased part issues with input from Engineering
• Maintains item master for purchasing parts, equipment, and materials
• Directs engineering on standards to be maintained for item master in the Infor M3, Movex, Vault environment across all divisions in the company
• Monitors data entry and follows up on standards violations regarding item master issues
• Maintains regular contact with suppliers and prepares and submits purchase orders
• Follows procedures to verify cost, delivery, quality, and inventory balance
• Addresses defective equipment or materials with vendors and resolves disputes
• Conducts cost analysis and develops strategies to reduce procurement costs while maintaining product quality and reliability
• Maintains on time delivery of purchasing operations
• Manages inventory turnover by determining maximum and minimum inventory levels and reorder quantities
• Coordinates with suppliers to ensure on-time delivery of materials and components, proactively addressing potential delays
• Supports internal and external customer service
• Understands and documents internal and external customer needs and expectations
• Communicates to appropriate team(s) when an expectation will not be met
• Contributes to continuous improvement efforts
• Documents processes and procedures, eliminates non-value-added activities, and participates in weekly CI team meetings
• Collaborates with engineering and production teams to identify opportunities for cost savings through alternative sourcing or design modifications
• Monitors market trends and price fluctuations to make informed purchasing decisions
• Stays current with industry trends, new technologies, and best practices in technical procurement
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge
• Establishes personal networks, participates in professional societies, attends professional workshops and reviews publications
• Contributes to team effort
• Willing to attempt new assignments or fill in for others as needed; accomplishes other duties as assigned

• Other duties as assigned

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.