Sr Buyer

At Apex International, we pride ourselves on being a high-quality manufacturer of over-the-counter personal care and household products. Our collaborative partnerships with customers range from global Fortune 100 companies to entrepreneurial start-ups.

We are currently seeking a Sr. Buyer to join our team based out of our Eden Prairie or Chaska, MN headquarters. This role will report to the purchasing manager and work onsite three days per week with our procurement and larger supply chain teams.

This full-time, salaried role will have three main buckets of responsibility:

1. Ensure that chemicals and components are sourced and positioned to facilitate consistent execution of supply plans. Includes managing customer-supplied, customer-directed, and vendor-supplied chemicals and components.
2. Purchase goods, materials, and services to ensure that the company operational needs are met, considering price, quality and delivery and to ensure continuity of supply. This role will play a key role in sourcing chemical ingredients for manufacturing and will require a candidate that has a developed strong relationships with domestic and global chemical suppliers.
3. This role requires a high level of independence, the incumbent may take responsibility for a specific project or hold a larger remit in terms of purchasing responsibility.

Key Job Accountabilities:

Responsibilities are not limited to the below listing

• Procurement Management
  • Purchase goods, materials, components, or services in line with specified cost, quality, and delivery targets.
  • Ensure continuous supply of required goods and materials and proactively identify and communicate any supply problems that may pose a risk or impact on business operations.
  • Monitor market trends, competitor strategies and market suppliers.
  • Research and evaluate areas of opportunity and reduce costs where possible.
  • Deliver briefs, updates, and reports as and when required.
  • Develop creative and innovative procurement processes.
• Supplier Relations Management
  • Assess and evaluate suppliers and undertake performance reviews to ensure contract compliance and manage performance improvement activities.
  • Ensure that a professional and consistent approach is taken in relation to all supplier relationships.
  • Assess tenders and quotations from potential suppliers in alignment with procurement manager and department goals/objectives.
  • Prepare purchase orders in line with final negotiations with selected suppliers and in line with organizational targets and requirements.
  • Undertake research on and evaluate existing and new suppliers.
  • Contact suppliers to resolve price, quality, delivery or invoice issues.
• Effective Internal Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Partner with Supply Planning teams to ensure that chemical and component availability aligns with weekly and monthly supply plans, implement actions to mitigate sourcing risk to the supply plan.
  • Maintain effective liaison with all departments to present alternative supply options, including but not limited to Sales, R&D, Quality, and Operations departments.
  • Partner with Accounts Payable to resolve payment issues.
• Focus on Continuous Process Improvement
  • Develop ideas and strategies to improve operational efficiency, add value, aid business performance and work towards a strategy of continuous improvement.
  • Collaborate with procurement manager on cost savings, stocking programs and secondary sourcing options.

Required Experience and Skills:

• Degree in business administration, supply chain, or a related field
• 5+ years of experience as a buyer or in a related position
• Thorough knowledge of domestic and global chemical supply industry and a strong chemical supplier network is a must
• Deep knowledge of inventory and supply chain management
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and purchasing software
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Strong critical thinking and negotiation skills
• Strong planning and organizational skills
• Proven ability to work independently

Benefits

• Medical, Rx, Dental benefits
• Short term & Long-term Disability
• Life Insurance
• HSA/Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with company match
• Employee Assistance Program
• Bonus Plan Eligibility

Additional Information

Apex International's dynamic nature, unwavering commitment to quality, implementation of Lean Manufacturing practices, financial strength, unwavering focus on customer satisfaction and problem-solving employees have propelled us to become a prominent industry leader in contract manufacturing for the personal and home care sector.

As a leader in contract manufacturing, Apex stands out due to:

1. Unrivaled commitment to quality: Apex sets itself apart with its measurable advantage in delivering products of the highest quality standards.
2. Emphasis on Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement: Apex is dedicated to implementing Lean Manufacturing practices, constantly seeking ways to optimize processes and enhance efficiency.
3. Financial Strength as a privately held, single-owner company: As a privately held company with strong financial stability, Apex ensures reliability and long-term partnership opportunities.
4. Customer-focused and problem-solving employees: Apex boasts a team of highly skilled and dedicated employees who excel in customer service and possess exceptional problem-solving abilities. Our commitment to meeting customer needs is unparalleled.

Apex International Inc. is an equal-opportunity employer.