Merchandise Buyer Assistant, Sr. jobs in Pittsburgh, PA

Job Summary & Essential Functions

Procure products within assigned planner codes in a timely and cost-effective manner.   Maintain, build and develop supplier relations.

• Procure products within assigned commodity areas in a timely and cost-effective manner
• Identify and reduce long lead times in the system by utilizing material strategies with suppliers
• Review daily MRP exception messages, purchase order status, and order action reports and take appropriate action
• Resolve material price variances
• Identify alternate solutions for obsolete components and work with engineering for approval
• Ensure timely delivery of products to support production needs
• Maintain purchasing data in computer system so that it is always current
• Develop new/better/alternate sources of supply to reduce the supplier base
• Use knowledge of technical requirements and market conditions to negotiate best price
• Administer purchase agreements dealing with confidential and proprietary information
• Negotiate best value with suppliers; perform materials quotation for prices and delivery
• Perform Quarterly Business Review (QBRs) with key suppliers as required
• Participate in production meetings to review supplier requirements.
• Evaluate and provide performance data to existing suppliers, including quality and on-time delivery
• Provide training and guidance to new and lower level buyers on all aspects of purchasing

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Intermediate knowledge of the laws of purchasing
• Intermediate MRP skills
• Ability to understand industry commodity trends
• Intermediate level in MS Office applications (Word, Excel, and Outlook)
• Ability to work with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail to produce quality results
• Strong math and computational skills 
• Ability to effectively communicate in all forms with others inside and outside the organization
• Ability to negotiate professionally
• Ability to problem solve issues involving multiple variables and limited standardization
• Ability to multitask effectively and adapt within a rapidly changing environment

Required Experience & Education 

• Bachelor's degree in related field 
• Minimum 5 years of progressive relevant job experience 
• Previous experience in a manufacturing environment