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Senior Pharmaceutical Buyer - Job Description

ORGANIZATION: Miles, Inc. Elkhart, Indiana

JOB FUNCTION/PURPOSE

Direct and coordinate the purchase of assigned materials at the lowest possible long term costs, thus allowing maximization of profits to those divisions for which the materials are procured.

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES/OBJECTIVES

Develop and implement short and long term procurement planning programs to assure adequate *** of suitable materials to the using divisions at the time and place needed to meet actual requirements at the lowest total costs.
Develop the knowledge and understanding necessary to determine major suppliers corporate objectives and strategies which dictate their sales and service policies in order to assess their potential value as a long term, low cost supplier.
Negotiate prices and create *** bidding situations to insure lowest total cost.
Analyze and evaluate quotations submitted directly or in response to bid requests to assure that quality, capability, and costs are satisfactory.
Expedite solution of problems that arise in relation to quality, delivery, and pricing that cannot be handled by clerical personnel.
Negotiate settlements with suppliers any problems that could result in financial losses to the company.
Aggressively seek and recommend cost savings possibilities based upon new sources, ***, improved systems or new items.
Maintain market intelligence and report changes in pricing levels and potential problem areas or conditions which could adversely affect the company's procurement position. Also recommend and direct corrective actions.
Establish accurate standard costs for production materials.
NATURE AND SCOPE

The Senior Buyer reports to the Manager of Purchasing and has a Purchasing Assistant receiving direction from him. His responsibilities are organized by either account, commodity, or divisional responsibility. He represents the company position with our suppliers and establishes our dollar positioning, short and long term goals and value as a customer with the top management of those companies. To do this he may do more traveling than other buying positions as he has to establish close relationships with the suppliers' key people. He must also know their supply problems and capabilities. This approach provides the best avenue to ensure supply and obtain the lowest total cost for the corporation. He must adhere in all respects to the published General Purchasing Policies and Organization Manual.

KNOW-HOW

Requires a college degree and/or heavy related experience in purchasing, including a C.P.M. certificate, which must be updated as mandated by NAPM. Must be highly knowledgeable in the application and use of negotiating techniques and principals; understand his major suppliers' corporate objectives and strategies which dictate their policies; have a knowledge and understanding of the significant short and long range influences on the availability and prices of his major commodities in the world market; and know how the effect of a major decision in one area might possibly impact the relationship or material availability for other areas or divisions. He must be familiar with legal aspects of purchasing, inventory control methods, cost/price analysis and transportation modes and rates. He must be well versed in the fundamentals of economics and be constantly aware of industry wide supply and demand movement for those commodities for which he is assigned. He must be creative in developing savings opportunities and in selecting new sources. He must exercise sound judgement relating to all procurement functions. He must be able to project the image of the company in such a manner that long term relationships beneficial to the company will be established. He must know how to sell the companies' worth as a valued customer to his suppliers both in the short and the long term.

PROBLEM SOLVING

Due to the wide ranging scope of this position, the Senior Buyer requires a high degree of problem solving ability. His involvement with major national and international sources requires that both short and long term supply commitments and problems be handled with extreme care and caution for the overall corporate benefit. This position requires an individual who has the ability to perform under stress conditions for the continuance of production at the lowest total cost. The ability to recognize problems at suppliers prior to general market knowledge is also required in order to effect plans for the continued supply to the company. He must be able to develop and maintain his credibility and the active cooperation of the key people with whom he works.

ACCOUNTABILITY

Dimensions: Directly controls up to $20,000,000 of purchases annually, depending upon the actual assignment. He is free to unilaterally act on individual purchases up to $100,000 without further management review. He is free to select any qualified supplier for each type of material required. He is totally responsible and accountable for the performance of the company's suppliers of assigned commodities and the cost of purchased materials. In maintaining lowest costs, he is responsible for developing sufficient types and numbers of qualified suppliers to assure continuity of supply, effective ***, required quality and prompt deliveries. Therefore, the impact to the corporation of proper performance is a primary one and has a major direct effect on the profitability of the company.

PROJECTS

Independently initiate projects.
Handle assigned projects delegated by others from time to time.

Name of Facility: East Jefferson General Hospital

City, State: Metairie, LA