Purchasing Manager - Astec Industries

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Astec is a global, environmentally focused infrastructure and manufacturing company of asphalt road building and aggregate processing. Our mission is to design and build the most innovative products for the industries we serve. Leveraging innovative solutions and technologies, we serve customers all over the world.

ABOUT THE POSITION
The Purchasing Manager is responsible for the operation of procurement of materials and supplies needed for the manufacturing of heavy equipment. This position is accountable for ensuring delivery of equipment and supplies to meet production schedule requirements. Actively participates in vendor selection and purchasing of the most critical goods or services to meet company needs for competitive costs, dependability of delivery, quality of product, etc. as well as effectively handle defective or unacceptable goods or services. The successful candidate will supervise the maintenance of records of purchases, delivery dates, vendors, costs and other resources, in addition to locating new sources for materials and keeping abreast of trends and changing prices to help Peterson meet strategic goals.

Key Deliverables

• Develop and implement purchasing strategies.
• Mange daily purchasing activities, supervise staff, and allocate tasks.
• Manage supplier relations and negotiating contracts, prices, and timelines.
• Coordinate with inventory control to determine and manage inventory.
• Work to improve purchasing systems and processes.

Key Activities & Responsibilities

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the procurement process
• Determine appropriate terms for various types of procurement; reviews requisitions/purchase orders and related documents for records maintenance, completeness, accuracy and compliance with Astec Industries Inc. procedures and requirements; review invoices and other documentation for compliance; resolve disputed invoices
• Conduct and/or manage the process for evaluations of vendors, offers and contracts in accordance with internal policy and external local, state, and federal regulations while selecting the best vendor
• Assure vendors deliver materials and services in accordance with standards of price, time, quantity, and quality agreed upon
• Coordinate routinely with other departments to assure effective and timely coordination and teamwork in procuring goods and services. Provides procurement research, guidance, and direction by presenting available procurement options
• Incorporate best practices and market research into procurement practices to ensure Peterson obtains the best possible price
• Exhibit a strong sense of urgency to maintain high personal performance while making decisions and allocating resources in a cost-efficient manner
• Set work objectives, directs, supervises, and reviews staff and staff assignments
• Coach, train, advise, plan, and evaluate performance of assigned staff; establish performance measures and personal development goals; monitor performance; provide coaching to staff for improvement, development, and corrective action, as needed
• Plan, organize, control, manage and evaluate the work of the Purchasing department by establishing operational plans and initiatives to meet department goals and objectives to achieve optimal efficiency and effectiveness
• Provide high-level technical/administrative guidance on work requirements and methods
• Manage time and accurately forecast purchasing requirements to ensure uninterrupted production schedule
• Maintain proper balance of inventory, just-in-time deliveries, and network of resources to ensure proper supplies or materials are provided to production operations
• Review freight charges by supplier based on set schedule
• Follow and actively support all company policies and procedures, to include Astec’s core values, mission statement and vision statement and a primary emphasis on safe operations
• Assure compliance with applicable federal, state, local and corporate governance policies, regulations, and laws
• Follow Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity program guidelines at all times
• Communicate with individuals at all levels within the organization
• Document assigned tasks as required
• Perform work and other duties according to supervisor's directives
• Wear personal protective equipment as required by company, customers and/or state DOTs
• Clean work area daily

To be successful in this role, your experience and competencies are:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, or related field preferred
• Advanced certifications a plus
• 12 years of purchasing/procurement management experience in a heavy manufacturing industry, including the purchasing of technical, mechanical, or electrical products/materials and commodity items
• 12 years of experience with computers: specifically, Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and ERP, inventory, ordering, and tracking systems preferably Microsoft Dynamics AX
• 12 years of experience reading and interpreting blueprints and bills of material (BOM’s)
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications
• Excellent analytical problem-solving, organizational, and negotiation skills
• Proficient in managing situations requiring diplomacy, fairness, firmness, and sound judgment
• Ability to work efficiently and accurately as well as work cross functionally and collaboratively with engineering, sales, parts and production departments
• Maintain positive, constructive cooperative working relationships by working, acting, and communicating with various personalities getting along with customers, vendors, co-workers, and management working both individually and as part of a team
• Continue to grow lean knowledge and use the tools to identify and assist with continuous process improvement
• Effectively delegate tasks, make decisions, interpret, and communicate work requirements and goals while managing impactful department priorities
• Lead by example, gain respect from team and communicate with clarity while demonstrating excellence in approach to work and people activities
• Proven ability to successfully collaborate, influence, lead teams, and drive change
• Skilled in working efficiently and accurately to keep up with production requirements
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Flexible and adaptable in coping with pressures, deadlines, and rapidly changing situations

Supervisor and Leadership Expectations
Directly supervises Buyer 1-5 and up to 4 direct reports.  Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems in compliance with any applicable employment law guidelines and upon consultation with the Group Vice President of Operations and/or the Director of Human Resources if necessary.