Product Purchasing Manager

Description

A Product/Purchasing Manager (P/PM) has two main areas of responsibility: Product management and Purchasing management. As Product Manager, the P/PM’s overall job is to manage and grow GT’s business through guiding and supporting sales efforts in the categories/vendors assigned to him or her. As Purchasing Manager, the P/PM’s overall job is to balance the conflicting objectives of cost, inventory availability, risk, and inventory investment to achieve desired outcomes. A P/PM will be assigned at least one Product Category to manage. P/PMs may or may not be assisted by an Expeditor. P/PMs communicate and work with all parts of the organization, the suppliers, and often with customers. They must also provide excellent customer service to both internal and external customers.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Set up and manage new suppliers
• Recommend products for customer applications
• Assist sales effort by obtaining quotes and offering product suggestions
• Cultivate relationships with suppliers
• Negotiate with suppliers
• Buy inventory (From the right supplier, At the right price, At the right time, In the right quantity)
• Ensure the accuracy of relevant data stored in the ERP system, including, but not limited to: (Cost, including inbound freight, Description, Supplier part number, Expected arrival dates)
• Control obsolescence by working with IUS to properly manage ordering controls and observing High-Risk Inventory rules
• Coordinate expediting purchase orders when necessary with the assigned expeditor
• Review requested returns and either approve or deny
• Disposition returned or otherwise discrepant inventory
• Resolve discrepancies between purchase orders and invoices from suppliers with the assistance of the assigned expeditor
• Monitor shelf life and take appropriate action to minimize resulting losses
• Assist customers and sales staff with proper use of the products
• Resolve quality issues with customers and suppliers
• Comply with all the requirements contained in the Employee Handbook, Policy and Procedure Database, Quality Manual, and Quality Policies
• Document all activities in GT’s CRM system
• Monitor and adjust freight estimates as necessary
• Monitor rebate and co-op programs offered by suppliers and take appropriate action to optimize outcomes for GT Midwest
• Communicate with customers about quality and delivery issues as necessary
• Achieve goals for inventory turns, customer service, etc., as documented in Points of Emphasis or elsewhere

Requirements

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Familiarity with industrial products. International Purchasing experience is preferred. Strong oral, written, and presentation skills. Excellent computer skills. Outstanding organizational skills. Creative problem solving. Basic financial management skills.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business data including MRP reports and blueprints/drawings. Requires advanced written and oral communication skills, as well as the ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from management and customers via oral presentations and written documentation.

COMPUTER SKILLS

Product Purchasing Managers regularly use Microsoft Office products, GT’s ERP system, and a CRM system.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Product Purchasing Managers must be able to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. These skills are necessary in many aspects of the job. Certain Product Categories may require more advanced knowledge of geometry, engineering, and federal regulations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; speak and hear; and lift up to 60 pounds. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and sit, all for extended periods of time.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Very high energy, sometimes stressful or demanding deadlines and deliverables.