Strategic Buyer - Supply Chain & Supplier Partnerships

KLA-Belgium; Ann Arbor (MI); On-site; USD 78,000 - 132,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life insurance

401(K) including company matching

Employee stock purchase program (ESPP)

Tuition reimbursement program

Paid time off

Job summary

KLA, a global leader in electronics for the semiconductor industry, seeks an experienced procurement professional in Ann Arbor, MI. You will procure direct materials, analyze planning reports, and drive margins through strategic supplier negotiations.

Collaboration with suppliers will reduce lead times and support uninterrupted production. Responsibilities include managing ECO/EOM workflows, executing purchase orders with precision, and leading VMI initiatives to optimize inventory turns.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree required with 3+ years related work experience or Bachelor's with 5+ years experience.
• Direct materials, components, and equipment procurement aligned with MRP signals.
• Experience reducing lead times and improving supplier performance.

Responsibilities

• Procure direct materials, components, and equipment aligned with MRP and reorder point signals to support uninterrupted production.
• Analyze planning reports and proactively manage supply to meet production schedules and customer demand.
• Drive gross margin improvement through strategic supplier negotiations, cost reductions, localization, and minimizing expediting costs and purchase price variance.
• Partner with suppliers to reduce lead times through cycle time improvements, hedging strategies, and Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) programs.
• Execute purchase orders with precision and resolve supplier issues related to quality, capacity, and supply continuity.
• Collaborate closely with suppliers to manage schedule changes (expedites or delays) and consistently achieve on-time delivery targets.
• Participate in supplier business reviews, delivering actionable feedback to strengthen supplier performance and accountability.
• Ensure accuracy and timeliness of supplier claims related to ECO (Engineering Change Orders) and EOM activities.
• Lead EOL (End of Life) material strategies, including last-time buys, and partner with engineering to identify alternative solutions.
• Ensure timely execution of ECO (Engineering Change Orders) to prevent disruption to production.
• Drive inventory optimization by reducing excess and obsolete materials; collaborate with Inventory Analysts during quarterly E&ND reviews and execute action plans.
• Improve inventory turns through effective MRB disposition and timely RTV processing.
• Conduct quarterly safety stock reviews to balance service levels, risk, and inventory efficiency

Skills

Procurement strategy

Supplier negotiations

Inventory management

Demand planning

Cross-functional collaboration

MRP understanding

Education

Master's Degree in related field

Bachelor's Degree in related field

Tools

ERP systems

MRP software

Excel

Job description

KLA, a global leader in electronics for the semiconductor industry, seeks an experienced procurement professional in Ann Arbor, MI. You will procure direct materials, analyze planning reports, and drive margins through strategic supplier negotiations.

Collaboration with suppliers will reduce lead times and support uninterrupted production. Responsibilities include managing ECO/EOM workflows, executing purchase orders with precision, and leading VMI initiatives to optimize inventory turns.