Job Description:

Hobart is part of the ITW Food Equipment Group, an Illinois Tool Works Fortune 200 company, and is a recognized leader among commercial food equipment worldwide. The Hobart Food Machines division is located in Hillsboro, Ohio, and is seeking a Buyer.

Responsible for the procurement of assigned items and executing buying strategies in accordance with agreed upon material buying plans at the optimum cost and quality. Analyzes market and current supply chain conditions, along with internal customer demand and proactively develops supply strategies to mitigate or alleviate risks to the business. Works with suppliers to develop and implement Kan Ban or inventory stocking agreements. Networks with other business units, sales representatives, and vendors. Works with suppliers to maintain or improve performance, cost efficiency, quality, and timeliness.

Responsibilities (80% Core Essential Functions)

• Kanban and purchasing agreements – Set up and maintain Kanban agreements, determine Kanban quantities for appropriate levels of stock to meet production needs, maintain records as needed

• Purchasing – Analyze stock levels compared to Kanban required quantities and place purchase orders based on results, work with accounts payable and receiving to reconcile discrepancies

• Risk mitigation - Track any possible stock out situations, determine risk mitigation for stock out risk, minimize cost increases, and maintain inventory kanban stock levels at appropriate levels, communicate effectively with in appropriate departments impacted.

• Supply chain - Monitor and track incoming shipments, ensure inventory availability to meet assembly and customer demand, expedite material as required.

• Supplier management - Proactively communicate with suppliers, actively analyze supplier performance in key KPI's - quality, cost, delivery, customer service. Work with high risk suppliers to improve, identify cost improvements ideas with suppliers, negotiate pricing.

• Communicates effectively - Utilizes teamwork with appropriate cross-functional personnel, including management, accounting, purchasing, assembly, engineering, customer service, service, warehouse, etc.

Responsibilities (20% Department-specific Core Essential Functions)

• Performs negotiations and contract set-up, maintains records as needed

• Works with strategic sourcing coordinator to transition new design changes into production

• Assist/train other employees in understanding the Kanban process, correct usage and processes

• Ability to lift up to 35 pounds occasionally throughout workday

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma

• Experience: 1 year in purchasing, material or inventory control, sourcing, supplier management, forward planning in a production environment.

Skills/Abilities

• Keen analytical skills and ability to make decisions which have significant impact on the business

• Computer skills including Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook

• Effective oral and written communication

• Ability to multi-task, prioritize and adjust workflow based on business needs to meet critical deadlines

• Ability to work independently with little supervision

• Intermediate to advanced math skills

• Ability to read engineering drawings

Preferred Qualifications

• Broad commodity-based experience

• ERP experience, preferably Epicor

• Understanding of MRD, Kan Ban/two bin system and long lead time products

• International purchasing and logistics experience

• Experience with supplier improvement activities