Buyer - Senior

Headquartered in San Diego, California, U.S.A., Solar Turbines Incorporated, a wholly owned subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc., is a leading manufacturer of industrial gas turbines with more than 11,800 units with over one billion operating hours in some 93 countries. Solar Turbines products include gas turbine engines (rated from 1590 to 30,000 horsepower), gas compressors, and gas turbine-powered compressor sets, mechanical-drive packages and generator sets (ranging from 1 to 23 megawatts). As the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), Solar has a global network of offices and facilities to support customers with a variety of service products and programs as well as an experienced technical support team. We currently have an opening for a Senior Buyer.The selected candidate will lead the commercial agreement process with the supplier from purchase orders to long-term agreements. Responsible for soundness of business proposals and risk assessment. Responsible for managing policies, agreements, and special purchasing programs. Establishes, maintains, and manages revisions to the long-term commercial contract agreement (and any variations in the agreement). Ensures supplier has the most current documentation for producing the part. The selected candidate will also issues Purchase Orders for PPAP process, handle orders from suppliers not on contract, ensure suppliers are paid within terms, and monitor price and cost. This position provides leadership for sourcing, logistics and resource management decisions in conjunction with Sourcing Specialist. The Sr. Buyer identifies and communicates supplier capacity constraints to Sourcing Specialist for assigned suppliers; demonstrates leadership in recognizing the potential for cost and inventory reductions, and quality improvement; and supports the purchasing activities required for NPI activities.Leads supplier selection process from the pre-qualified supplier base identified by the Sourcing Specialist in response to buy decision from NPI Team or Mfg decision to outsource a part; makes final decision on choice of supplier with input from stakeholders and then supports the STE during the PPAP process on the commercial terms and purchase orders.Responsible for processing purchase orders, resolving grief, supporting Material Schedulers to resolve chronic delivery issues, and supporting Supplier Development Engineers to resolve discrepant material issues. The Sr. Buyer maintains system data; maintains documentation that supports purchasing processes, SOX, and ISO; and monitors Intellectual Property compliance.Reviews and reports supplier delivery performance; obtains input from Supply Chain Coordinator; and initiates action (with support from Sourcing Specialist and/or Supplier Development Engineer) to identify and address root cause of poor delivery performance. Leads and participates in supplier improvement projects, responsible for contracting with outside vendor suppliers, responsible for lead time reduction, maintains data accuracy in the BAAN system (e.g., ensure dates are current, part set-up, lot sizes, etc), and participates in Six Sigma teams.Solar Turbines offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including medical, dental, vacation, 401k, pension, incentive bonus, tuition reimbursement and more. Solar Turbines is an equal opportunity employer.Solar Turbines conducts drug screens and background checks.Please visit our website www.solarturbines.com for more information about our company.

Minimum of a Bachelors degree OR- equivalent progressive experience with appropriate certifications (such as APICS, CPM, and/or CPIM).

Direct purchasing experience for a manufacturing facility is required.

Minimum of 2 years experience as a Buyer is required.

Must be able and willing to travel up to 10% domestically and internationally.

Must be a team player that possesses teaming and facilitation skills.

Experience with Direct Purchasing is highly desired.

Experience with ERP is a plus.

Well-developed negotiation skills required.

Ability to interpret, analyze and negotiate contractual cost elements required.

Understanding of applicable business and contractual laws.

Analytical, problem solving and decision - making skills required.

Project management/leadership skills.

Ability to multi-task, have a customer focus, and possess organizational and administrative skills.

Effective written and oral communication skills are required.

Ability to work across business units (cross-functionally) and at multiple organizational levels.

Business acumen and professionalism.

Willingness and ability to train and mentor others Interpersonal, collaboration and team skills.

Self-directed as appropriate.

Understanding of Lean Manufacturing principles (6 Sigma Green Belt) desired.

Understanding and compliance of ethical business practices and basic understanding of Demand Management.

Critical/strategic thinking skills, basic blueprint reading skills, knowledge of products and commodities, and knowledge of the industry and markets.

Influencing skills (ex: Ability to build consensus and maintain diplomacy in high pressure situations).

Ability to speak multiple languages (to enhance communication with suppliers and within Solar) is a plus.

Computer literacy: MS Office (especially Excel), Visio, MS Project, and BAAN

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