Buyer 3

As a Buyer at Key Technology, your main responsibilities include negotiating with vendors for procurement of goods and services, managing annual purchases exceeding $10 million, overseeing multiple commodities and major accounts, and collaborating with engineering personnel to establish performance criteria. You'll also participate in R&D projects and lead quality/suppliers’ surveys.

To become a Buyer at Key Technology, you must have a Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university or six years of relevant experience. Software skills in Excel are essential, and certifications such as CPM or CPSM are highly desirable. Strong negotiation skills and market trend awareness are also crucial.

The Buyer position at Key Technology may require travel up to 10% of the time. This travel is primarily related to vendor meetings, site inspections, and industry conferences to enhance vendor relationships and understand market trends better.

As a Buyer, you will manage projects focused on minimizing costs for procurement processes. This includes overseeing the implementation of supplier programs, material inspections, and collaboration with engineers to ensure quality standards are met.

Key Technology provides a competitive benefits package for Buyers, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a matched 401k plan, paid life and disability insurance, paid maternity leave, and educational assistance. Additionally, you will receive accrued paid time off and 10 paid holidays annually.

When negotiating with suppliers, I emphasize clear communication, ensuring that I understand their offerings while presenting our needs. I prioritize establishing a collaborative relationship that benefits both parties.

In my previous role, I used advanced software tools for inventory tracking, helping maintain optimal stock levels while ensuring costs were minimized and turnover rates improved.

I regularly monitor industry reports, attend trade shows, and engage with suppliers and other industry professionals to gauge trends, which helps inform our purchasing strategy.

I prioritize by assessing the urgency and impact of each project. Using project management tools allows me to keep track of deadlines and resource allocation effectively.

I have collaborated closely with engineering, production, and R&D teams to ensure that our purchasing aligns with technical requirements and project goals.

I address supplier performance issues by first discussing the situation directly with the supplier to identify root causes. Following this, I work to develop actionable plans for quality improvement.

I consider the vendor's reputation, pricing, reliability, quality assurance processes, and alignment with our company values and sustainability goals when selecting a vendor.

At my last job, I negotiated bulk purchasing agreements with multiple suppliers, leading to a 20% reduction in overall material costs without compromising quality.

I regularly attend workshops, subscribe to industry newsletters, and participate in professional organizations to stay informed about the latest developments in procurement and purchasing best practices.

Supply chain management involves managing the flow of goods and services, ensuring efficiency and cost-effectiveness from suppliers to end-users. It's about optimizing each step to enhance overall productivity.