Lead Buyer

Vallen Distribution; Pasadena (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

401(k) with discretionary companymatch

Tuition Reimbursement Program

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Vallen Distribution is seeking a Buyer Team Lead to mentor and train other buyers, manage procurement for stock and non-stock items, and ensure timely, cost-effective supply. You will coordinate team schedules, monitor performance, and oversee procurement processes across multiple centers and vendors.

Candidates should bring 5+ years in procurement, a related degree, CPM (preferred), and solid experience with WMS and ERP systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g., Business, Finance, etc.) or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of experience in the field of Procurement preferred.
• CPM certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Train, coach, and mentor assigned company buyers; provide input into performance evaluations.
• Coordinate vacation/leave schedules for the team.
• Keep the Purchasing leadership team abreast of daily activities; actively communicate.
• Identify and document best practices within the function; keep standard operating procedures current and relevant.
• Perform root cause analysis on escalated issues; define and oversee the implementation of root cause corrective action plans.
• Track and monitor team KPI initiatives; devise course corrections as required.
• Lead special projects as assigned.
• Perform procurement activities to ensure the organization's current and anticipated demand for products and materials is met; review GAINS-based forecasts and replenishments.
• Research, assess, and make recommendations for vendors to meet specs and value standards.
• Request and evaluate bids, quotations, and proposals for products and materials of request.
• Negotiate prices/terms within authority limits; secure favorable conditions.
• Monitor quality and timeliness of supplied products; coordinate returns if needed.
• Coordinate vendor returns for aging/excess inventory; support liquidation activities.
• Follow-up on purchase orders and update customers on status.

Skills

Customer service

WMS

ERP/GAINS

GAINS

Mathematical aptitude

Independent worker

Attention to detail

Communication

MS-Office

Excel

Verbal and written communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

CPM certification

Tools

GAINS

ERP software

Job description

Why Join Our Team?

At Vallen, we embrace what makes us unique. We thrive on the diversity of our associates and the different ways each of us contributes to Vallen's success. We pride ourselves on being an inclusive company that values the growth of our associates. When you join Vallen, you become part of our winning team. Our vast network of connections is here to help you transform your job into a career. Vallen is an industry leader in delivering flexible supply chain solutions while creating value for our customers, our supply partners, and our associates.

Benefits at Vallen

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance for Single, Employee + Spouse or Children, and Family Coverage
• 401(k) with discretionary company match of $0.50 on the $1.00 up to 6% of pay (U.S. positions only)
• Employer-paid Basic Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Dependents
• Employer-paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Benefits and Parental Leave (and any leave required under federal, state, and local laws)
• Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid Time Off (Vacation and Sick Days): 80-160 hours of vacation time based on seniority, accrued monthly and prorated from date of hire. 40-56 hours of sick time per year based on seniority and advanced upon hire.
• Paid Time Off (Holidays): 8 scheduled holidays plus 2 floating holidays
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Resource Groups for networking and team building
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Employee Referral Program
• Safety shoe and safety glasses reimbursement (based on position)
• Employee discounts through BenefitHub
• Advancement opportunities
• Vallen complies with all minimum wage laws
• We accept applications on an ongoing basis

Position Summary:

Vallen's Buyer Team Leads are responsible for training and providing mentorship to other company buyers. They are also responsible for purchasing products, goods, and materials (stock and/or non-stock) that meet the organization's standards of price, quality, timing, and reliability of supply. A Buyer Team Leads may be procuring product in support of a Vallen distribution center, warehouse, an assigned client, and/or an assigned vendor.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Train, coach, and mentor assigned company buyers; provide input into performance evaluations and under management oversight, assist with carrying out associate development plans.
• Coordinate vacation/leave schedules for the team.
• Keep the Purchasing leadership team abreast of daily activities; actively communicate.
• Identify and document best practices within the function; keep standard operating procedures current and relevant.
• Perform root cause analysis on escalated issues; define and oversee the implementation of root cause corrective action plans.
• Track and monitor team KPI initiatives; devise course corrections as required.
• Lead special projects as assigned.
• Perform procurement activities to ensure the organization's current and anticipated demand for products and materials (stock and non-stock) are met and in alignment with Vallen's purchasing strategies.
  • Review and approve assigned inventory forecasts produced by the GAINS application.
  • Review and approve daily replenishment recommendations produced by the GAINS application.
  • Assess existing orders to determine action for expediting or de-expediting for optimal delivery.
  • Place purchase requisitions and vendor orders.
• Research, assess, and make recommendations for vendors and/or specific items of request to ensure that they comply with specifications and meet the organization's quality, pricing, and delivery standards.
• Request and evaluate bids, quotations, and/or proposals for products and materials of request.
• Recognize and evaluate vendor sales, promotional campaigns, and other opportunities to secure reduced prices.
• May negotiate prices and delivery conditions and commit to purchases (within established limits of authority) with terms that are in the organization's best interest.
• Monitor the quality and timeliness of products and materials supplied; may coordinate the return of damaged goods and/or replacement items.
• Negotiate and coordinate vendor returns for aging, expired, or excess inventory; coordinate other liquidation activities as required.
• Follow-up on the status of purchase orders with vendors to ensure timely delivery; and communicate status of orders with internal and/or external customers.
• Communicates with vendors to resolve problems with timeliness and product quality.
• Maintain and cultivate relationships with one or more suppliers, vendors, internal or external customers.
• Assist with identifying opportunities to consolidate suppliers/vendors.
• Research and resolve account payables nonconformance with suppliers.

Job Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g., Business, Finance, etc.) or equivalent experience. 5+ years of experience in the field of Procurement preferred. CPM certification preferred. Other relevant experience includes:

• Excellent customer service. Attain and maintain Customer Service Professional certification.
• Background in WMS
• Computer skills and aptitude to learn Vallen's Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Inventory Management applications; GAINS experience preferred.
• Mathematical aptitude for basic calculations.
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Demonstrated strong attention to detail, organizational and execution skills.
• Proficiency with MS-Office products. Intermediate Excel skills required at a minimum.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Work Environment (Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.):

• Long periods of time working on a computer and performing key-boarding activities.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and listen. The employee frequently is required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee may be required to occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and ability to adjust focus.

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Equal Opportunity Employer - Ethnically and Culturally Diverse/Females/Veterans/Disabled/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity