Buyer

About MSA Safety
We are a technology company that aims to help people return home safely from their worksites by building smart safety systems. We have a hyper focused safety culture that puts our customers and our employee safety first. As a company, we aim for stable and sustained business growth and this strategy has supported our growth. We hire carefully to ensure our growth strategy as well as culture fit and value each hire tremendously. We hugely value learning and continuous improvement and believe strongly in furthering the careers of all our employees. We recognize that our careers can take us in different directions, and we value retention by recognizing and even encouraging this diverse career growth. Being a global organization, we are well positioned to have varied opportunities within the organization to support growth in different directions. Our compensation and benefits packages are competitive.

MSA is an organization that respects boundaries, encourages people to unplug and recharge, and prioritizes the well-being of everyone on the team, all while sustaining reasonable growth and remaining committed to our meaningful mission.

Overview
This position will focus on the procurement of raw materials, semi-finished or finished goods and services from external sources of supply and will work to mitigate, or elevate where necessary, supplier quality, cost, and delivery issues. The incumbent is expected to pursue optimization of both cost of goods purchased and inventory availability through utilization of an organized approach that yields cost synergies, a focus on supplier management, and development of positive relationships with internal & external (supplier) stakeholders. The incumbent must demonstrate knowledge of ERP system/Material Requirements Planning and disciplined execution abilities within the purchasing function.
Responsibilities
Utilize ERP system to drive On Time, In Full Delivery and Continuity of Supply through coordination and collaboration across the supply chain; optimize supplier delivery schedules and inventory levels by expediting or deferring material in accordance with changes in demand. Otherwise utilize SAP inventory strategies as necessary to support the procurement lifecycle.
Utilize ERP system to effectively review and release purchase orders for the purpose of procuring raw, semi-finished and finished goods and services as necessary to support the business. Engage in the creation and execution of schedule agreements or consignment structures as necessary. Ensure acknowledgments and order confirmations are in place to minimize supply disruption.
Use system to manage an invoice queue and communicate with internal departments and external supplier contacts to bring each invoice issue to resolution.
Enable operational excellence through the control of master data relating to purchasing information.
Includes but not limited to: Supplier Delivery Lead Times, Purchasing Info Records, Source Lists, MRP-relevant material master views
Demonstrate understanding of and adherence to core product commodities. Responsible for cost control, to be achieved by supporting Sourcing on cost savings, supplier quality and development, and P2P optimization initiatives. Communicate forecasts to suppliers. Ensure that contract details, terms, conditions, and delivery are fair and favorable for MSA. Assist with New Product Development or Sustaining projects as required. Partner with Transportation team on effective freight use and spend.
Apply the MSA Operating System to correctly identify root causes of problems and drive corrective action results.
Qualifications
2-4 years’ purchasing experience. This level will focus on medium level spend and supply chain complexity through interactions with tactical to critical suppliers.
Experience using SAP for materials planning
Negotiation
Advanced skills with Excel based on level of experience
Focused on low volume / high mix direct material buying
Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain / Logistics / Business or Related Field
ISM: CIPS / CPSM and or ASCM: CPIM / CSCP Certification
Models Disciplined Execution: through deadline-driven and well-organized achievement of detailed standard work.
Displays Innovation & Technology Mindset: Ensures master data integrity and utilizes ERP system effectively/diligently
Makes Data-Driven, Analytical Decisions Uses data to drive conclusions.
Builds Partnerships, Influences Others & Communicates Effectively: Demonstrates proven capability of managing internal and external supplier communication with results-driven mentality.
Challenges the Status Quo to Drive Continuous Improvement: Engages in problem solving techniques and demonstrates a continuous improvement mindset.
MSA Core: Customer Focus, Passion for Results, Execution