Manager, Purchasing - Nikkiso Cryogenic Industries

Nikkiso Clean Energy & Industrial Gases is a leading provider of cryogenic pumps, heat exchangers, process systems, services, and solutions for the LNG and industrial gases industry. We are a subsidiary of Nikkiso Company Ltd, a leading industrial manufacturer headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, with over $1.5 B in annual revenue, 8000 + employees worldwide, and publicly traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Nikkiso ACD is an engineering and manufacturing company specializing in machinery designed to operate at cryogenic temperatures as low as – 420 degrees Fahrenheit, the boiling point of Liquid hydrogen. For over 50 years, Nikkiso ACD has specialized in centrifugal and reciprocating pumps as well as turbines for air separation. Nikkiso ACD has the most diversified product line in the industry covering nearly every application requiring pumps or turboexpanders.

The Manager, Purchasing is responsible for the management, direction and training of the Purchasing staff, inventory control, and sourcing and contracting all goods and services purchased by ACD. This individual is responsible for maintaining and developing buyers to ensure the demands and vast requirements of ACD, LLC are fulfilled.

The Manager, Purchasing will work in close association with domestic and international suppliers and customers, Production, Engineering, and Finance departments to ensure ACD receives the best quality product at the lowest total cost.

This position is based at Nikkiso ACD located in Santa Ana, CA.

• Responsible for all aspects of purchasing including setting pricing, negotiating agreements, terms and conditions, capitol asset procurement, controlling the budget and any other company wide purchases or requirements.
• Establishes and implements purchasing policies and ensures compliance.
• Directs and coordinates the activities of the Purchasing Department; responsible for the management, direction and training of the Purchasing staff.
• Locates and qualifies domestic and international vendors and develops new supply sources where current vendors are inadequate.
• Reconciles accounting issues pertaining to suppliers.
• Provides make vs. buy analysis, and stock on hand analysis as needed.
• Visits domestic and international supplier facilities to qualify them as new sources or to resolve production, design, quality or delivery problems.
• Analyzes whether supply programs such as kanban, consignment or vendor managed inventory would benefit the company and implements when appropriate.
• Identifies, implements and tracks key performance measures for the Purchasing function and drives improvement in those measures.

Supervisory Responsibility

Purchasing Department staff

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in business or related discipline; APICS, CPM or related certification.
• Seven years’ experience purchasing in a manufacturing environment with demonstrated progression of responsibility within the Purchasing environment.
• Five years of management experience supervising five or more employees.
• Experience working with castings, machined, forged, stamped, welded and electronic component suppliers.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to form a cohesive group consisting of multiple departments and to set and achieve attainable goals (team player.)
• Understanding of Purchasing principles, and how and when to implement.
• Degree in business or related subject required (AA plus experience considered.)
• Strong desire to improve supply chain and the ability to solve problems with minimal input from management.
• Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of product
• Understanding of various manufacturing principals and procedures including, but not limited to, castings, machined, bearings, motors, welded and electronic components.
• Ability to absorb information quickly, adjust to varying demands and conditions, and react effectively.
• Ability to train and mentor Purchasing staff.
• Understanding of MRP/ERP principles and how to use them effectively.
• Management experience (five or more employees) for ten years.
• Knowledge of all business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, purchasing policies.
• Written communication skills: writes clearly and informatively and presents data effectively.
• Verbal communication skills: speaks clearly and persuasively to convey information effectively; actively listens to understand, asks questions as appropriate and responds well to questions.
• Organization skills: manages and completes multiple tasks on time and plans, prioritizes and organizes work to achieve goals with excellent follow through and follow up.
• Computer skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office software and Outlook.
• Ability to identify and implement changes to processes that increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the Purchasing department.
• Ability to read and understand mechanical drawings.
• Understand ledger entries/expense accounts.
• Ability to negotiate contract requirements to meet ACD’s needs.
• Flexibility to travel, including international (approx. 15% of time) for supplier visits as needed with Quality team support.
• Strong Interpersonal skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• APICS or CPM certification.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as laptop computers, photocopiers and smartphones.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision and ability to adjust focus. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand on a stool as necessary.

Salary range is: $120,000 - $140,000 annually, plus annual bonus potential.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled
Nikkiso CE&IG is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.