Entry-Level Assistant Buyer – Industrial

Midwest Industrial Rubber, Inc.

MIR is the premier independent, specialty fabricator and distributor of light weight conveyor belting and accessories in North America. MIR was founded in January 1980 in response to the needs of manufacturing facilities to have in-plant expertise, as well as access to products and services that minimize downtime and increase productivity. Our focus is on providing value-added products and services through our 14 full service sales and fabrication facilities located across the U.S. Our corporate headquarters is in St. Louis, Missouri.

Over the years, we have expanded across America as more and more of our customers requested service in close proximity to their facilities. We have customers in food processing, paper converting & print, package handling, plastics & metals, distribution & warehouse, and other general industries. We continue to expand our customer base by adding innovative, continuous improvement initiatives, and overall value-added services that remain unparalleled to our market competitors.

Job Title: Assistant Buyer

Reports To: Purchasing Manager

Purpose: Maintain accurate purchasing/planning documentation and records as required. Assist and support buyers and planners in related purchasing and planning activities.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities (to include but not limited to) :

Purchasing

• Prepare and manage purchase orders (including “make and hold” and blanket purchase orders) for all branches to meet branches inventory and customer’s needs
• Maintain procurement records such as items purchased, costs, delivery, product quality and performance; responsible for correcting price discrepancies
• Leverage buying power to obtain adequate supply and best price; review quotes and negotiate prices with vendors
• Review products for purchase by evaluating current inventory by branch; request branch transfers or change of processing branch to maximize utilization of current inventory
• Negotiate non-material savings, i.e. freight ; identify and promote cost savings throughout the company
• Develop and strengthen relationships with new, existing, and potential vendors
• Proactively follows up with suppliers on overdue purchase orders and corrective action requests

Inventory Management

• Lead inventory cycle counts; maintain records and calculate results
• Involved in annual physical inventory, review of adjustments made during the physical inventory
• Assist with “aged” inventory to find usable pieces/sizes and the locations or other sources that are able to use/sell; determine items that are obsolete
• Prepare statistical reports of product sales and purchases, and of cost savings for the MIR centralized and consolidated programs; assist in management of purchasing, consignment and rebate programs
• Communicate with Vendors to obtain information/samples as required; Distribute to branches and salesmen; create material product data sheets and samples

Branch Support and Communication

• Assist branches with product sourcing, as requested
• Main contact for review, setup and maintenance of all product item codes and vendors
• Communicate product information to department managers
• Coordinate testing of new products with branch personnel

Requirements and Qualifications:

• Associates Degree required; Bachelor’s Degree preferred
• 1+ years of business experience, preferably in purchasing or supply chain
• Valid drivers license
• Able to travel minimally when required
• Proficiency with standard Microsoft Office technologies (Word, Excel and Outlook), Global Shop Solutions (GSS), specifically the Customer Relationship Manager (CRM) within GSS

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize projects in a fast-paced and deadline-oriented business environment
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills
• Strong negotiation skills
• Strong organizational, time management and personal efficiency skills
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and engage in high-impact decision-making
• Ability to analyze situations and view the implications of decisions from a critical perspective
• Strong relationship-building skills and a collaborative approach to achieving departmental as well as company goals
• Excellent attention to detail
• High degree of flexibility and ability to manage multiple projects concurrently
• Ability to multi-task while conveying natural conversation, to include listening, typing, sourcing information, responding to inquiries and providing recommendations
• Proactive, target driven, and enthusiastic
• Project a high level of professionalism when communication with employees, customers and vendors