Buyer

The successful candidate will be responsible for selecting and negotiating with approved vendors and placing purchase orders in response to service or material requirements (quantity and timing) typically established by the inventory planning function.                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Key Accountabilities

• Make strategic sourcing decisions based on the lowest total cost of ownership.
• Determine purchasing strategy for commodity group, submit RFQ’s, garner samples, and manage NPI projects from concept to launch.
• Identify cost savings and efficiency savings in the supply chain
• Research, analyze, and forecast current and future buying trends, markets, styles, and products
• Negotiate contract terms and conditions, award supplier contracts or recommend contract awards.
• Follow purchasing procedures in place for the purchase of materials / services.
• Issue and maintain records as required.
• Expedite orders as required.
• Collaborate with Linamar’s global supply chain to successfully develop and execute on strategies
• Monitor and maintain supplier performance and communicate results.                                                                                                                                                                                 Desired Characteristics
• Flexible/Adaptable to ever-changing priorities.
• Ability to compare costs of purchasing options which differ in prices, discounts, rebates, shipping charges, customs fees and currency exchange rates. Consider cost implications of suppliers' policies for minimum and mixed orders. Analyze trends to identify seasonal variations in sales. Also calculate year-to-date sales, average inventory levels, inventory turnover rates and order fill rates to diagnose purchasing and distribution problems
• Possess good communication skills to discuss with co-workers, customers and suppliers about operational matters. Negotiate contracts and resolve disputes with suppliers. Negotiate terms with new suppliers and changes to agreements with existing suppliers.
• Ability to judge the quality of products and services
• Ability to locate data in a variety of forms such as invoices, shipping receipts, special order request forms and new product information sheets. Obtain data such as universal product codes, product descriptions and specifications, prices, discounts, taxes, and comments about suppliers and merchandising methods.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to work in team setting to ensure effective forecasting, product distribution and marketing. Collaborate with controllers and other buyers to make forecasts and build inventories that are compatible with Linamar’s sales strategies and budgets.
• MRP experience. Use computer applications and communications software as needed. Create spreadsheets for tracking inventory, planning ordering schedules and calculating costs for purchases.
• Engage in continuous learning to keep up-to-date information on new products and market trends, and to operate new automated sales and inventory management systems. Learn through daily work experience, by reading trade publications and by talking with co-workers, colleagues and suppliers.

• Post-Secondary Diploma or Degree in Materials Management or related experience.
• Minimum two years of purchasing in a manufacturing environment preferred
• A certificate in purchasing from the Purchasing Management Association of Canada would be an asset
• MRP Experience is considered an asset