Sr. Buyer

Join the Henderson Team Henderson Products, a division of Douglas Dynamics, is North America's premier manufacturer and upfitter of work truck solution and snow & ice equipment. Our belief is that our employees and culture are just as important to the company as serving our customers. We place a high value on building a team and working environment where individuals can succeed professionally and personally. As a team member of Henderson Products, you can expect to make a difference through your work, to have a direct impact on the achievement of a very meaningful mission to serve our customers, to advance your career, and to have room for fun and fulfillment in your daily life.

We would love to have you join our team, where we offer top notch benefits, multiple avenues for advancement and a great working environment.

HOW WE DO IT:

Grow, Improve, and Engage is our focus as an organization to ensure we succeed by executing the right things. These are our Core Values and are How We Win in the marketplace. The Winning Behaviors are what each Henderson Products employee does to support the success of our company. They are the expectations of all of us to help ensure we focus on winning as an organization the right way

Our Winning Behaviors are:
•Be Customer & Results Driven
•Anticipate the Possibilities
•Collaborate & Care
•Communicate Responsibly
•Develop Self & Others
•Get Better Every Day

HOW YOU WILL CONTRIBUTE:

The Henderson Products Sr. Buyer is responsible for all aspects of supplier management within a defined commodity scope. Under the framework of a lean/JIT enterprise, develop an in-depth understanding of the commodity and global marketplace. Defines key objectives and performance criteria of suppliers, in quality, delivery and total cost both domestically and in internationally. Major duties of this role include:

• Parter with other team members to evaluate supplier performance and work towards continuous improvement. Utilize the Supplier Performance Metrics process to guide continuous improvement and strive to achieve Best of Best (BOB) status for key suppliers.
• Plan and schedule visits to suppliers to assure communication of DD expectations and identify supply deficiencies.
• Coordinate and assist in implementation of lean/JIT inventory management systems including kanbans, stocking plans and other pull systems and milk-run delivery methods.
• Utilize MRP and other tools to support established production schedules and expedite any exceptions as required.
• Collaborate with all internal stakeholders at all Henderson locations where appropriate to understand and fulfill operational needs.
• Collect and analyze data sets from multiple sources to facilitate decision making in support of strategies. Prepare RFP/RFQ documents and administer processes to achieve best total cost for DD. Drive continuous improvement of total cost and achievement of margin improvement for mutual benefit.
• Comply with Standards of Work (SOWs) for GSS to support organizational objectives and leverage best practice across the company. Participate as a SOW auditor and preparation of appropriate corrective actions that will assure compliance.
• Communicate results and status on a consistent basis to assure transparent progress between suppliers, GSS, Engineering/Continuous Improvement, Sales, Marketing and the Service Centers/Upfit Centers.
• Negotiate and administer major formal agreements and contracts focusing on rules of engagement, mutual margin improvement and elimination of waste in the supply chain.
• Develop, implement and communicate detailed three-year strategic plan for the commodity, including, but not limited to: commodity drivers and influencers, DD competitive suppliers in the commodity, spend and cost trends, supplier performance, supply segmentation and optimal supply chain size. Secure external information through publications, meetings and seminars to serve as the DD subject matter expert in said commodity. Benchmark DD performance within defined commodity.
• Utilize formal problem-solving skills to eliminate supplier deficiencies and implementation of corrective actions to eliminate root cause failures. Facilitate replacement product and return of defective materials and appropriate financial credits/inventory adjustments.
• Partner with appropriate resources and the engineering process to assure product specifications and BOMs are accurately maintained.
• Support new product development in conjunction with Engineering & Continuous Improvement, Operations and other departments, including new materials and manufacturing technologies, to meet product launch mileposts. Research suppliers and evaluate products as required.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Education: Four-year college degree in procurement, supply chain management, industrial management, business administration or equivalent. A. P. P., C.P.M., CPSM, CPIM, CPSC certification or active pursuit of certification is highly desirable. Experience in lean and ISO environments is a plus. Bilingual skills a plus.

Communication Skills: Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills required to build strong teams and operate cross functionally in a matrixed organization. Negotiation skills required to promote best total cost for DD. Facilitate integration of DD strategy into supplier organizations. Collaborate with local GSS team and Business Units regularly.

Technical Skills: 3-5 years' experience operating in a manufacturing environment. Drive continuous improvement for the GSS and supplier organizations. Solid understanding of commodity focus is key.

Computer Skills: Strong knowledge and skill in MS Office software, MRP/ERP Systems and presentation software.

Mathematical Skills: Accurate analysis of spend, quality and supplier performance data.

Reasoning Ability: Requires strong abilities to analyze data and situations of moderate to complex scope to formulate strategic initiatives and accomplish objectives. Ability to analyze waste in the supply chain to extract margin improvement and continuous improvement. Exercise judgment within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate action.

Work Environment: Completes most tasks in an office environment with frequent visits to plant floor and visiting supplier locations.

Our focus on integrity, teamwork, and high performance creates an ideal work environment for every one of our employees.

We offer competitive salaries, benefits, and opportunities for personal and professional growth. Discover our opportunities and come see all the ways you can do more at Henderson Products.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Henderson Products/Douglas Dynamics, LLC does not discriminate against qualified applicants in hiring based on race, color, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or any other characteristic protected by law.

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