Associate Buyer

Description

At Premier Marine, we believe that people come first, and as a valued Associate Buyer, you will play a crucial role in our family-owned business. Guided by our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Attitude, and Collaboration, you’ll join a dedicated team where your contributions matter. Here, you’ll work on building the world’s best pontoons in a supportive environment that focuses on your personal and professional development. We're committed to ensuring you thrive, so together, we can leave a wake that changes lives on and off the water.

Job Summary

Our Associate Buyer supports the procurement of parts, materials, supplies, and equipment while meeting established quality, cost, and delivery requirements. This buyer/planner position manages the operational flow of items of low to medium complexity with routine purchase history and established sources of supply. The person in this role must be very comfortable meeting and collaborating with cross-functional team members and external supplier partners.

We seek a self-starter who is willing to work hard and who has the desire to learn and grow into future expanded Buyer roles. A familiarity in ERP/ MRP system management is desired while creating new analysis within Microsoft Excel and other analytical tools is key for success in this role.

Responsibilities:

• Utilize system reports and guidance from Sr. Buyers to order materials to meet sales requirements.
• Submit purchase orders for materials, establish priorities to meet customer orders, and resolve shipping or billing issues.
• Identify product availability issues and provide expedited supply status and shipment tracking to internal partners.
• Maintain accurate system planning parameters per established processes.
• Analyze demand and other key supply chain factors to drive appropriate safety stock levels.
• Leverage EPICOR MRP to drive buying decisions to support production requirements.

Product Analysis/ Process Improvement Responsibilities:

• Optimize material costs through vendor analysis, implement cost savings initiatives surrounding product cost, transportation cost, and freight terms.
• Analyze safety stocks, manage material inventory, support demand planning, and provide backup coverage for other purchasing functions.
• Deep understanding of supplier capacity and constraints.
• Manage and report on key performance indicators for all critical suppliers.

Supplier Relationship Management Responsibilities:

• Provide data and analysis in the preparation for and/or participation in supplier negotiations.
• Support supplier performance initiatives to improve vendor accountability.
• Support the resolution of customer service or product quality issues by identifying the appropriate actions to take with suppliers.
• Work with accounts payable to investigate, problem solve and resolve vendor billing discrepancies.
• Drive collaboration with suppliers and internal customers.

Requirements

Required Skills/Abilities

• Focused problem-solving skills.
• High level of expertise with Excel.
• Familiarity with MRP/ERP systems (EPICOR).
• Ability to organize and prioritize tasks, work collaboratively in a cross-functional environment, and ensure timely completion of responsibilities.
• Demonstrated proficiency in written and verbal communication and strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to read and interpret technical part drawings.

Education and Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, operations, logistics, materials management, or related field preferred.
• 1-4 years related experience in purchasing, production planning/scheduling, or inventory management, preferably in a manufacturing environment.
• APICS certification (CSCP or CPIM), CPP or CPM certification preferred.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands needed are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job (sitting, standing, walking the manufacturing floor, and the ability to lift up to 50 pounds). Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role.

Premier Marine offers a comprehensive total rewards package designed to support employees’ health, well-being, and growth. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage; life and disability insurance; 401(k) retirement savings; paid time off; paid holidays; volunteer PTO; and access to an Employee Assistance Program. Additional programs such as a referral bonus, leadership development opportunities, and participation in the Employee Boat Club are also available.

*The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at-will" employment relationship. Premier Marine, LLC retains the discretion to add duties or change the duties of this position at any time.