NA Operational Buyer Manager

The successful incumbent will have the following Key Accountabilities:

• Manage execution of direct procurement initiatives at plants under responsibility. support setup of pricing in the ERP
• Creative hands-on individual with excellent communication, presentation, and leadership skills
• Assist in negotiating with direct suppliers on large spot requisitions, raw materials, and goods and services for local plant requirements
• Support plant operations with inventory analysis, and min/max optimization
• Develop cost savings plans and inflation mitigation strategies at plants under responsibility
• Manage supply assurance and supplier delivery performance for key suppliers to plants under responsibility
• Manage, train and direct all employees in the Operational Buying Department as it pertains to purchasing policy and procedures, computer work as it pertains to purchasing and accounting, and interaction with other departments along with other Buying Teams globally
• Provide training and guidance to the Operational Buyer Team, and support problem resolution for the P2P process;
• Reviews, modifies, and approves ERP system-generated order recommendations and submits finalized orders to outside Vendors. Reviews component part manufacturing efficiencies/inventory levels and recommends alternatives when appropriate
• Reviews and investigates manufacturing order variances. Analyzes production efficiencies and modifies ERP database as required. Offers preventive action and continuous improvement recommendations
• Lead root cause analysis (RCA) and investigations for supply disruptions, inventory discrepancies, or process failures; define and implement corrective and preventive actions across functions
• Leads inventory management activities (inventory reduction and balancing) following corporate guidelines. Using ERP inventory management tools (order quantities, reorder points, etc.) adjusts inventory levels to adapt to forecast changes and to optimize for customer and operational needs. Identifies excess inventory and coordinates with other managers to develop effective disposition plans
• Maintains all ERP system modules relating to the Materials Planning and Production Control functions. Monitors system for problems and makes corrections
• Participates with Operations, Sales and Engineering in establishing delivery commitments. (Order Review and Lead time discussions.) Provides early warning and corrective action recommendations to senior management if Operations/customer commitments are in jeopardy
• Monitor and report on key KPIs, including supplier OTIF, PO cycle time, inventory days on hand, aging PRs, and other operational metrics.
• Lead or support the implementation of new processes and tools (e.g., forecast alignment workshops, stakeholder feedback surveys, IBP tool adoption by operational teams)
• Lead alignment of operational buying responsibilities across global and regional teams by developing, maintaining, and communicating RACI charts. Collaborate cross-functionally with procurement, planning, and plant operations to ensure role clarity, avoid duplication, and strengthen accountability across the Source-to-Pay process.
• Act as the subject matter expert for planning/buying functions
• Proven experience driving internal and external continuous improvement activities within the supply chain function
• Ability to multi-task, work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Tracking open orders
• Perform other duties as assigned.

The successful incumbent will have the following Minimum Qualifications:

• 5+ years of Chemical or Mining Operational Buying experience (Direct Spend)
• 3+ years SAP S4 or related ERP knowledge
• MS Office Suite
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Knowledge of the MRO industry and successful strategies for managing MRO Spend
• Demonstrated ability to define and monitor KPIs to drive operational performance in buying and inventory control (e.g., OTIF, PR-to-PO cycle time, stock aging)
• Experience in conducting Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and implementing corrective/preventive actions for material availability or system issues
• Analysis of inventory and spend in excel
• Negotiation and contract management
• Ability to work remotely. Travel to sites (10%) as needed to support training, project implementation, and inventory audits
• Ability to lead continuous improvement projects, including process automation, stakeholder engagement, and reduction of manual workarounds
• Strong organizational/project management skills
• Supplier management skills (identify, develop, and manage the relationship)
• Demonstrated experience contributing within a team of professionals to deliver set targets