SERVICES/MRO/CAPITAL BUYER - MARS RETAIL GROUP (formerly Ethel M Chocolates)

JOB CATEGORY Manufacturing/Production/Operations RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE 2+ to 5 Years CAREER LEVEL Experienced (Non-Manager) EDUCATION LEVEL High School or equivalent COMPANYMars Retail Group SERVICES/MRO/CAPITAL BUYER - MARS RETAIL GROUP (formerly Ethel M Chocolates) SERVICES/MRO/CAPITAL BUYER At the center of our chocolates are great people like you! Mars Retail Group, a division of Mars, Inc. is seeking a SERVICES/MRO/CAPITAL BUYER.  Reporting to the Supply Chain VP, the Services/MRO/Capital Buyer will manage all aspects of procurement for all services, capital and MRO for all Mars Retail Group’s retail stores, manufacturing and office sites.  Responsibilities include delivering cost initiatives, including value for money and reduced risk, and to develop efficient response strategies. Additionally, is responsible for total annualized spend of approximately $5 million in purchases. Responsibilities:1) Ensure that the Client & Company receive the proper quality at the best value for money.  This includes:·  Perform purchasing activities through negotiating and implementing cost effective and valued contracts. Lead bid activities, obtain competitive bids and identify negotiation opportunities with focus on Total Cost of Ownership principles (savings and risk management).  ·  Implement national contracts and Commercial best practices.·  Develop/implement key site strategies (ex. MRO inventory management, etc)·  Act as Functional Expert for e-Buy and ensure process compliance is maintained. Maintain integrity of the e-Buy Purchasing System ·  Implement Mars standard contracts for services to minimize and risk to Mars, Inc.·  Proactively utilizing and managing the Corporate Partnerships to their fullest capabilities.·  Utilizing available resources across all Mars divisions to help locate and establish new sources for materials and services needed.·  Perform duties and administer decisions as necessary, to insure professional department functioning.·  Execute purchasing activities and resolve issues with clientele in order to deliver services as needed, on time, at lower than market prices.·  Coordinate details of ordering activity between client and supplier(s), and reconcile any discrepancies in the ordering activity that may develop.·  Negotiate and administer contracts.·  Proactively and creatively identify alternatives to meet the needs of internal clients.·  Evaluate vendor performance and influence vendor to take corrective action where necessary.·  Execute “Requests for Quotations” obtaining competitive bids for services.·  Maintain purchase order files and blanket orders.·  Support key Mars North American/Global Commercial Initiatives. Knowledge & Skill Required:·  Excellent organization habits·  Excellent negotiation skills on all levels·  Ability to analyze Markets·  Managing Supplier and Client Relationships·  Understand Contractual Alternatives ·  Able to work under tight schedules in high-pressure situations·  Must be self motivated to seek and uncover areas for improvement. (Efficiency, productivity, root-cause analysis)·  Able to make decisions and accepts responsibility for actions.·  Must be self-starter and able to execute tasks without direct supervision. Minimum Qualifications:·  2 years purchasing experience.·  Posses excellent mathematical skills.·  Undergraduate Degree in Business preferred·  APICS, AMA and or NAPM sponsored course completion preferred Company-paid relocation assistance is not available for this position. To apply, please visit http://www.mymms.com/careers for the link to our online application process. As a privately-held, family-owned company, Mars North America offers benefits which reflect our commitment to attracting and retaining great people. This includes excellent pay, competitive health, dental and vision care coverage, 401(k) plan with up to 3% match (100% vested upon enrollment), bonus plans, and unrivalled career advancement opportunities, to name just a few of our unique and generous benefits.If you're looking for a place where you can take ownership for your work, where the pace is fast, the environment is built around the importance of open communication, and where employees are "associates" and treated as such, then we want to hear from you. We value a diverse work environment and encourage qualified individuals to apply, regardless of race, religion, disability, national origin, veteran status, gender and age. Mars North America is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer.Please, no agencies.  EOE, M/F/D/V   We value a diverse work environment and encourage qualified individuals to apply, regardless of race, religion, disability, national origin, veteran status, gender and age. Masterfoods USA is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer.