Buyer Supervisor

Scope of Position:

Vallen's Buyer Supervisors are responsible for training and providing mentorship to other company Buyers. They are also responsible for purchasing products, good and materials (stock and/or non-stock) that meet the organization's standards of price, quality, timing and reliability of supply. A Buyer Supervisor may be procuring product in support of a Vallen Distribution Center, warehouse, and assigned client, and/or and assigned Vendor.

Key Responsibilities:

* Train, coach and mentor assigned company buyers; provide input into performance evaluations and under management oversight, assist with carrying out associate development plans.
* Coordinate vacation/leave schedules for the team.
* Keep the Purchasing leadership team abreast of daily activities; actively communicate.
* Identify and document best practices within the function; keep standard operating procedures current and relevant.
* Perform root cause analysis on escalated issues; define and oversee the implementation of root cause corrective action plans.
* Track and monitor team KPI initiatives; devise course corrections as required.
* Lead special projects as assigned.
* Perform procurement activities to ensure the organization's current and anticipated demand for products and materials (stock and non-stock) are met and in alignment with Vallen's purchasing strategies.
* Review and approve assigned inventory forecasts produced by the GAINS application.
* Review and approve daily replenishment recommendations produced by the GAINS application.
* Assess existing orders to determine action for expediting or de-expediting for optimal delivery.
* Place purchase requisitions and vendor orders.
* Research, assess, and make recommendations for vendors and/or specific items of request to ensure they that they comply with specifications and meet the organization's quality, pricing, and delivery standards.
* Request and evaluate bids, quotations, and/or proposals for products and materials of request.
* Recognize and evaluate vendor sales, promotional campaigns, and other opportunities to secure reduced prices.
* May negotiate prices and delivery conditions and commit to purchases (within established limits of authority) with terms that are in the organization's best interest.
* Monitor the quality and timeliness of products and materials supplied; may coordinate the return of damaged goods and/or replacement items.
* Negotiate and coordinate vendor returns for aging, expired, or excess inventory; coordinate other liquidation activities as required.
* Follow-up on the status of purchase orders with vendors to ensure timely delivery; and communicate status of orders with internal and/or external customers.
* Communicates with vendors to resolve problems with timeliness and product quality.
* Maintain and cultivate relationships with one or more suppliers, vendors, internal or external customers.
* Assist with identifying opportunities to consolidate suppliers/vendors.
* Research and resolve account payables nonconformance with suppliers.
* Read, understand, and follow Vallen's health, safety, and environment policies and all applicable OH&S legislation/regulations.
* Actively participate in Vallen's health and safety management system, including training, audits, assessments, safety meetings, and inspections.
* Identify, control, and report workplace hazards including following WHMIS/TDG requirements and reporting near misses.
* Report workplace injuries immediately and participate in any return-to-work programs or requirements.
* Be fit for duty and physically capable of performing all required tasks.
* May perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g., Business, Finance, etc.) or equivalent experience. 5+ years of experience in the field of Procurement preferred. CPM certification preferred. Other relevant experience includes:
* Attain and maintain Customer Service Professional certification; provide excellent customer service.
* Computer skills and aptitude to learn Vallen's Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Inventory Management applications; GAINS experience preferred.
* Proficiency with MS-Office products, intermediate Excel skills required.
* Mathematical aptitude for basic calculations.
* Self-starter with the ability to work independently.
* Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
* Demonstrated strong attention to detail, organizational and execution skills.
* Strong verbal and written communication skills.