Corporate Buyer

GHX, a SunSource company is the leader in providing solutions to static sealing (gaskets) and fluid transfer (hoses) with top quality fabrication, capabilities and programs tailored to help out customers in reducing downtime and increasing throughput. With 50 locations across North America, we inventory a wide range of gasket materials, hoses, fittings, textiles, and expansion joints. GHX is able to cover a broad spectrum of applications for the industries we serve.

We are looking for an energetic and ambitious Buyer to coordinate, report, purchase and maintain all inventory levels and related activities for assigned locations and or product categories. Including but not limited to goal setting and progress reporting, the role is expected to communicate with all locations and assist the Sales and Operations’ group to meet company inventory goals and budgets. The position will work closely with suppliers to obtain optimal supply service levels, negotiate on special purchases as required and troubleshoot issues relating to inventory count accuracy. The role will report to the Director of Purchasing and work closely with all locations.

Specifically you must be able to:

• Primary responsibility is to maximize inventory turns and working capital.
• On a daily basis, review stock requirements for schedule branch replenishment and procure stock as needed.
• Update & maintain P21 stock replenishment settings as required.
• Review Excess and Obsolete inventory and develop targets and plans to reduce levels.
• Work with suppliers to increase profit margins.
• Perform inventory cadence calls to maintain inventory goal focus.
• Work with locations on new item and stock add requests.
• Review supplier freight programs and charges to insure proper cost and conformance to supply agreements.
• Transfer stock between locations to balance stock where possible.
• Communicate with branches to understand market and inventory trends and needs.
• Work with other SunSource Inventory Teams to develop and promote inventory best practices.
• Reduce and consolidate suppliers by utilizing primary supply partners.
• Assist with inventory policy and branch adherence to programs.

Report & Conduct analysis:

• Review inventory levels on a daily basis and performance to budgets and goals.
• Adherence of shipping methods being required of supply partners.
• Maintain consistent product ordering patterns to provide optimal inventory levels.
• Analyze Supplier OTD performance and work to improve shipping performance.
• Review stock levels, stock items/ non-stock and adjust to improve customer fill rates.
• Analyze product classes, customer inventory, dead & excess inventory, supplier inventory and branch stock levels to insure optimal company inventory levels and turns.
• Review excess stock and level set company inventory within operations.
• Provide daily, weekly and monthly reports on inventory status.
• Review and negotiate large buys and special needs as required.

Key Competencies:

• Communication: Creates an atmosphere in which timely and high quality information flows smoothly both up the organization and down, inside the organization; encourages open expression of ideas and opinions.
• Coaching: Works to improve and reinforce performance of others. Facilitates their skill development by providing clear, behaviorally specific performance feedback and making or eliciting specific suggestions for improvement in a manner that builds confidence and maintains self-esteem
• Initiative: Does more than is required or expected in the job; does things that no one has requested that will improve or enhance products and services and plans ahead to address changing business needs.
• Interpersonal Relations: Thinks carefully about the likely effect on others of one’s words, actions, appearance and mode of behavior. Maintains stable performance and emotional control when faced with opposition, pressure, hostility from others and/or stressful conditions.
• Negotiation: Effectively exploring alternatives and positions to reach outcomes that gain all parties’ support and acceptance.
• Planning & Organizing: Establishes a systematic course of action for self or others to ensure accomplishment of a specific objective. Establishes procedures to monitor the results of delegations, assignments or projects and sets priorities, goals and timetables to achieve maximum productivity.

The qualified individual will have the following education and other skills:

• Education - Superior understanding of supply chain management and a Bachler’s degree in Business or related area desired.
• Experience - 2-5 years’ inventory and purchasing experience preferably in Industrial Distribution.
• Computer Skills - Proficient skills in Microsoft Office Suite.

Multi location and Professional Association Certifications a plus.