Associate Buyer Planner Supplier Management & Procurement - Merz North America, Inc

About the Company:

About the Company: Merz is a family-owned medical device and pharmaceutical company headquartered in Germany. Our Global Technical Operations based in WI manufactures, packages and ships several innovative products so that people all over the world can live better, feel better, and look better.

The individual will be involved with people and processes associated with various aspects of Supplier Management and Procurement at Merz.  The successful candidate will participate in the supplier selection and approval process; manage existing suppliers; place purchase orders (PO’s); evaluate supplier performance; resolve delivery issues; assess and reduce supply chain risk; save money by reducing TCO (total cost of ownership). 

The Associate Buyer Planner – Supplier Management & Procurement must also demonstrate proficiency in obtaining, analyzing, and interpreting supply chain relevant data.  Results of the analysis will be used to improve supply chain processes, optimize performance, and reduce costs. 

Key Responsibilities:

SAP Reporting

• Work with Supply Chain Super User for BI reporting to develop reports that are helpful to the supply chain team overall as well as specific reports for the purchasing team.

Risk Management

• Optimize the supplier risk model (Segmentation, Supplier Risk, Component Risk) to aid in the identification of risks, strategies to mitigate risk, and action items to proactively lower risk.

Procurement

• Order, receive, replenish, and keep raw materials and production supplies at appropriate levels so the business can function properly.
• Serve as main point of contact for suppliers with respect to purchasing related issues. Make sure any purchasing related questions by members of their organization on those suppliers are dealt with in an effective and timely manner.
• Ensure that accurate records of supplies and inventory levels are maintained and analyze data around the use or depletion of these resources over time.
• Make sure there is never a deficit or an excess surplus of needed supplies and inventory items.
• Engage suppliers via phone or email; resolve delivery issues; schedule meetings; troubleshoot Invoice issues between suppliers and Merz Accounts Payable, etc.
• Review and update safety stock levels accordingly every quarter
• Perform Year End Reconciliation of all remaining Purchase Orders left open.
• Ensure Data integrity by working cross functionally with the Master Data team to update master data components as needed.

Supplier Management

• Engage with supplier representatives to discuss orders, deliveries, quality performance, etc.
• Gather data for supplier score cards; schedule meetings with suppliers; document meeting outcomes; publish meetings minutes; perform follow up actions; etc.

Inventory Management

• Stay up to date on information regarding changes in production or upcoming marketing that may affect demand for supplies.
• Monitor inventory levels and effectively communicate relevant information to management by preparing and presenting data to show trends on supplies and/or inventory, along with recommending actions to address issues.

Education:

•  Bachelor’s Degree and 2+ years of experience, associate degree and 5+ years of experience, or High School Diploma and 8+ years of experience.
• College major in Business, Supply Chain, Engineering or Technical. Preferred.

 Experience:

• At least 3 years of work experience in Supply Chain, Manufacturing or Quality.
• OR at least 5 years of work experience in other fields.

 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Computer proficiency including word processing, spreadsheets, email, etc. Required
• SAP
• ARIBA
• Basic understanding of Purchasing and Supply Chain functions. Required

Personal skills

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills. Required
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities while maintaining a positive attitude. Required

 Benefits:

•  Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision plans
• 20 days of Paid Time Off
• 15 paid holidays
• Paid Sick Leave
• Paid Parental Leave
• 401(k)
• Employee bonuses
• And more!

Your benefits and PTO start the date you're hired with no waiting period!

Come join a company that is committed to being a trusted partner focused on our customers while not forgetting about our employees!

Hybrid Position: Allows for up to two days of working from home and three days in the office, as per company policy.

Seldom travel is required for position.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c) Supply Chain and Logistics Generalist