Senior Buyer - The Cooper Companies : Job Details

CooperVision, a division of CooperCompanies (NASDAQ:COO), is one of the world's leading manufacturers of soft contact lenses. The Company produces a full array of daily disposable, two-week and monthly contact lenses, all featuring advanced materials and optics. CooperVision has a strong heritage of solving the toughest vision challenges such as astigmatism, presbyopia and childhood myopia; and offers the most complete collection of spherical, toric and multifocal products available. Through a combination of innovative products and focused practitioner support, the company brings a refreshing perspective to the marketplace, creating real advantages for customers and wearers. For more information, visit www.coopervision.com.

Job Summary:

Responsible for the sourcing and procurement of goods and services, as well as the development of supplier relationships ensuring best procurement practices and value. In collaboration with stakeholders, develops policies and strategies to meet CVI's needs, selects sources of supply and obtains multiple bids as applicable, to ensure sourcing decisions are in the best interest of the company.

* Ensures the effective procurement of all assigned goods and services in accordance with regulatory, corporate, and operational policies and procedures.

* Responsible for the timely procurement of materials ensuring adherence to inventory levels and quality standards to meet business needs and manufacturing demand.

* Within the area of responsibility leads the end-to-end sourcing and contract administration process, including developing Requests for Quotes (RFQ's), supplier bid evaluations, negotiations, contracting and supplier relationship management.

* Manages the supplier relationship within the area of responsibility including supplier development, integration and supplier performance evaluation while promoting company social responsibility goals.

* Supports the Supplier Management Qualification process for assigned suppliers and participate in cross functions teams as appropriate to ensure that goods and services changes are introduced via the correct change process, including regulatory, validation, discontinuations, and product launches.

* Accountable for category savings targets and performance measures. Reviews specifications and Statements of Work (SOWs) to ensure assigned goods and services ordered meet the required quality standards.

* Provide a range of data and reports to Senior Management on procurement and inventory activity to allow management, budgetary and expense reviews to be carried out.

* Support the development of strategies to minimize business risk within the sourcing and procurement process, including where appropriate the use of supplier agreements and disaster recovery planning.

* Maintains contact and effective working relationships with all levels of personnel both internal and external.

* Participate in cross functional project team activities to ensure that high value/long-term purchasing agreements are commercially sound and providing best value/lowest risk for the company.

* Reviews invoicing/pricing issues and assist Accounts Payable (A/P) with the reconciliation with suppliers and internal stakeholders.

* Undertake routine purchase order administration (order placement, receipt, invoice approval), investigate and resolve discrepancies.

* Performs other related assignments as required by Senior Management.

* Assist the Global Sourcing and Procurement team as required.

Travel:

Up to 10% each year.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

* Demonstrated ability to negotiate contracts, secure bids, and evaluate requests for quotations.

* Strong problem solving, team building and decision-making skills. Ability to negotiate with suppliers and influence internal stakeholders.

* Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.

* Fluency in English both written and verbal required. Any other language would be an advantage.

* Experience using an MRP system preferred, previous experience in Oracle, BAAN, BPCS and Agile would be an advantage.

* Strong knowledge of the Microsoft suite, especially Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

* Ability to read and understand technical material, such as engineering specifications or Statement of Works.

* Demonstrated analytical skills, as well as interpersonal skills.

* Ability to read and interpret Statement of Works (SOWs) and specifications.

* Demonstrated knowledge of working in a regulatory environment is preferred.

* Demonstrated administrative skills necessary to establish the proper work priorities; ability to act with initiative regarding follow-up and the completion of multiple projects.

* Excellent communication skills capable of operating at all levels both within and outside the business; ability to formulate response to detailed questions in representing corporate policy/practice within function. Comfortable giving audiovisual presentations to both suppliers and internal audiences.

* Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of internal personnel and external supply base.

* Demonstrated competency in Internet resources relating to purchasing research.

Work Environment:

* Normal office environment

* Ability to perform light to medium physical work and standing for long periods of time, if required depending on the task.

* Prolonged sitting in front of a computer.

* Exposure to manufacturing environment

* Visits to suppliers, the warehouse, production, and ancillary areas might be required.

Experience:

* 5+ years of experience in purchasing one or more of the following: Indirect/ Non-product and or Direct/Product goods and services.

* Experience/Knowledge of sourcing goods and services.

* Experience/Knowledge in Contract and supplier negotiation.

* Familiar with manufacturing environment.

* ERP systems required. Oracle experience is preferred.

Education:

* Bachelor's degree in Materials Management, Business, or Project Management or a related field required.

* Chartered Institute of Supply Certificate (CIPS), CPM and/or APICS Certification is strongly preferred.

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran

For U.S. locations that require disclosure of compensation, the starting base pay for this role is between $71,948.00 and $95,931.00 per year and may include cost of living adjustments. The actual base pay includes many factors and is subject to change and modification in the future. This position may also be eligible for other types of compensation and benefits.

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