Commodities Purchasing Specialist III

USALCO Baltimore Production, LLC is a major unit within the manufacturing network of a leading provider of aluminum-based component products used in water treatment, pulp and paper manufacturing, the making of catalysts for oil refining, the housing market and other sectors. The right individual will have a can-do attitude, the ability to be part of a team while operating independently, and consistently performs to very high standards.

Develop and implement the best purchasing strategies to ensure the operations has the consumables and commodities to run effectively while working closely working cross functionally with the procurement, SIOP and operations teams . Work strategically with the entire purchasing team and with other areas of the business to drive and contribute to the overall purchasing strategies of cost reduction, process improvement, supplier relationship management and category management. Seek Continuous Improvement opportunities within the plant and other areas within the purchasing function, leveraging suppliers across the different areas of the business. Confident working in a fast-paced working environment.

Responsibilities

The Commodities Purchasing Specialist III plays a crucial role in maintaining inventory levels, delivery schedules, and cost structures that meet guidelines while ensuring the organization's ability to meet customer requirements. They create purchase orders in compliance with internal policies and guidelines, manage strategic supplier relationships, and establish sequential delivery dates based on material availability and forecast. As part of the supply chain, they form an important link between R&D purchasing and SIOP teams researching and providing feedback on material shortages, supplier capacity, and capabilities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage assign commodities by communicating Material Planning changes to the suppliers, minimizing obsolete inventory while achieving the optimum inventory levels.
• Manage monthly and year end physical inventory audits of all raw materials, WIP, and finish goods of both internal warehouses and off-site warehouse operations.
• Manage inventory pipelines from NPI to manufacturing and/or offshore contract manufacturers.
• Utilize company ERP system for inventory management and schedule optimization.
• Plan and coordinate all material requirements of assign commodities and supplier availability utilizing the MRP system.
• Synchronize with logistics to ensure paperwork needs are addressed for proper material and services receipt.
• Implement a KANBAN system to improve material availability and improved inventory control.
• Set bookings for various shipping lines, handle manifest on container moves, supervise export packing with freight forwarders.
• Research and source new suppliers of manufacture goods, prepare and release RFQ's, negotiate pricing and prepare purchase orders.
• Reduce credit holds and reestablish positive account status during ERP implementation.
• Serve as a conduit between SIOP; Procurement and Operations teams to optimize raw material; products and service availability while reducing overall working capital.
• Support RFP evaluation process including setting meeting and preparing evaluation committee packages.
• Expedite any urgent purchase requisitions when mission essential items are need immediately.
• Facilitate the creation of an assembly documentation center as a precursor to ISO certification.
• Identify critical long-lead items, provide input on BOM construction and support project cost-management initiatives.

• Evaluate and review requisitions and convert to purchase orders at a competitive cost for the specific area of responsibility.
• Work with vendors both on-site and off-site to maintain proper inventory levels, quality and delivery for purchased items.
• Expedite and assist facilities in the overall purchase of key items to make the process more efficient.
• Aggressively pursue cost savings, process improvement as well as supplier relationship management.
• Develop sourcing strategy and identify competitive supply sources; prepare RFQ; evaluate responses; document rational for issuing orders; resolve discrepancies with suppliers, receiving and accounting.
• Manage a portfolio of indirect spend, develop a multi-year category management strategy to increase understanding of cost drivers, and identify additional potential suppliers.
• Work with a team on continuous supply chain improvements to leverage spends for all sites.
• Support major projects within the plant and Purchasing Team including working with Business Unit teams to meet strict deadlines.
• Support assigned areas of responsibility for all manufacturing purchasing needs within the assigned plants.
• Monitor plans and KPIs to achieve business objectives and departmental targets.
• Provide accurate, timely, budgetary information, reporting cost movement variation to
• supported operational team and managers.
• Have an awareness of various market forces which have a significant bearing on relevant
• negotiations or future purchases.
• Assistance with item master creation.
• Assistance with stores management.
• Follow Environmental, Quality and Safety Management System procedures and requirements.
• Ability to meet the essential job requirements, with or without reasonable accommodation, as outlined in the job description.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors Degree or equivalent work experience.
• Ability to apply technology to drive better business outcomes and increased automation (Digital Dexterity)
• Two plus years procurement experience or an equivalent combination of education and
• experience.
• Ability to tackle multiple priorities from a variety of internal customers.
• Demonstrated detail orientation in gathering data and overall quality of work.
• Proven analytical skills in looking at multiple data sets and providing solutions.
• Demonstrated negotiating skills for specific line items.
• Ability to conduct precise and detailed verbal and written communications.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, be self-motivated and drive results.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly develop relationships and leverage interpersonal skills to influence both peers and suppliers.
• Proficiency with basic features of Microsoft Office software products.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Three plus years procurement experience or an equivalent combination of education and
• experience.
• Experienced negotiating skills in long term agreements.
• Certified in purchasing management (CPM) or
• Certified in production and inventory management (CPIM), (CPSM) Certified Purchasing and
• Supply Management.
• Technical knowledge of chemical products and processes.
• Process improvement experience.
• Understanding of commercial contract terms and conditions.
• Knowledge of best practice purchasing techniques.
• Knowledge of ISO 9001: 2008 QA system, ISO 14001: 2004, OHSAS 18001: 2007,
• ISO/TS16949: 2009
• Proficiency with advanced features of Microsoft Office and excel.

USALCO is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. As a general policy, USALCO does not offer employment visa sponsorships upon hire or in the future.