Merchandise Buyer Assistant, Sr. assists merchandise buyers in selecting merchandise, placing orders, and distributing inventory. Responsible for inventory replenishment with open-to-buy responsibilities over a segment of the buyer's department. Being a Merchandise Buyer Assistant, Sr. may require a bachelor's degree in area of specialty. Typically reports to a supervisor. To be a Merchandise Buyer Assistant, Sr. typically requires 2 to 4 years of related experience. Gains exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. (Copyright 2024 Salary.com)
Job Summary:
The Senior Buyer will be responsible for the purchase of assigned instrumentation materials with expiration dates / shelf-life limitations from “cradle to grave” (e.g., new product development, sustaining and obsolescence). This individual will also serve as a Lead/Mentor to more junior Buyer personnel and interact on a daily basis with the Field Inventory, Distribution and Logistics, and Customer Service teams.
Contributes to the definition of the team’s objectives, and strategies. Accepts team decisions and works toward their implementation. Establishes and supports the norms and conditions for a work environment that supports team productivity. Draws on the strengths of each team member, seeks input of team members, and works cross-functionally to resolve issues. Provides strategic input to and monitors the progress of cross-disciplinary project teams.
Proactively analyzes and interprets information and determine if processes are in control, accurate and meeting customer demands with respect to inventory and supply management. Makes day-to-day decisions that demonstrate a basic understanding of financial business drivers including balancing minimum order quantities against the impact to excess and obsolete inventory, expediting inventory and deliveries, negotiating low risk price discrepancies directly with suppliers, pushing out delivery dates if the forecast changes, and knowing when to escalate issues to manager or higher when deliveries look like they will be delayed (e.g. due to supplier constraints) impacting overall customer service level satisfaction. To be successful in this role, one must have a solid understanding of the end-to-end Supply Chain process (i.e. how demand planning impacts supply planning, how inventory in the right place at the right time drives order fulfillment and service levels etc.), be able to diagnoses the root cause of problems to minimize interruptions to production and solve low to medium complexity challenges with minimal supervision
Works closely with the Supply Team Manager, and other leaders, to develop and implement department procedures and guidelines, processes, and processes improvements. Integral in the development and enhancement of the ERP system (e.g., SAP).
As an integral part of the Supply Team, this person will work directly with Suppliers, Marketing, Sales, Accounting, Operations, Logistics and Engineering to ensure an equitable balance between excellent customer service levels and inventory on hand.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities:
This is not an exhaustive list of duties or functions and may not necessarily comprise all of the "essential functions" for purposes of the ADA.
Expected Areas of Competence (i.e., knowledge, skills, and abilities)
Education/Experience Requirements
Travel Requirements
Up to 10%