Strategic Program Buyer & Supplier Negotiator

Columbia Tech, 27 Otis Street, Westborough, MA 01581, USA

• Price and terms negotiation with suppliers, placing Purchase Orders, managing delivery schedules consistent with PO requirements, ensuring supplier delivery of quality material, and driving schedule/cost/service improvements with suppliers.
• Develop sourcing strategy to meet specific program needs in support of Program Management, Product Development, Logistics Manager and other Supply Chain resources.
• Under moderate supervision, perform tasks associated with the role of senior buyer, supporting program management, planning, supply chain, quality and pre‑production operations.
• Review ERP‑generated Buy Reports to identify and action all buy, defer, expedite or cancellation signals for the appropriate parts portfolio.
• Negotiate at time of order placement any additional material discounts or terms.
• Generate and maintain Procurement Status Reports for assigned programs and update Program Management weekly.
• Anticipate and mitigate risk and issues that will impede supplier performance and Purchase Order requirements; work with suppliers to track and drive issue resolution.
• Analyze buy messages to maximize VPA and discount terms agreements with Tier 1 & 2 suppliers.
• Work with pre‑production planners to ensure material availability to maximize throughput capacity in accordance with schedule requirements.
• Review ECNs and recommend material effectivity dates involving new parts or part substitutions to pre‑production planner.
• Coordinate and/or conduct progress visits to supplier sites as necessary.
• Proactively ensure all purchased materials are in‑house on time and at acceptable quality levels; generate KPI and action plans when criteria are not met.
• Drive for continuous improvement in all pertinent supplier metrics.

• BS/BA degree or equivalent experience in a technical or business field desired.
• Strong negotiation, analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• NAPM or APICS certification (CPIM) desired.
• Technical knowledge of purchasing, logistics, planning, master scheduling.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and sound judgment.
• Strong working knowledge of ERP systems, particularly Epicor.
• Experience with low and high volume sheet metal, plastic, cable and PCBA suppliers to provide custom parts and assemblies is required.
• Must be able to read and understand blueprints and technical specifications.
• Ability to work in a project‑based product development and pre‑production environment where product configuration change is highly likely.
• Proficient in MS Office applications.
• Works primarily in an office environment, but may occasionally be required to perform job duties outside the typical office setting.

• Interaction with people and technology while either standing or sitting.
• Must be able to communicate face‑to‑face and on the phone.

Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Protected Veterans/Disabled

Columbia Tech is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Columbia Tech does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non‑disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

Salary Range: $75k–$95k, commensurate with experience

Equal Opportunity Employer. This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.