Project Buyer - Kitchener-Waterloo, Canada - BW Retail Solutions

Description

The Project Buyer plays a key role in new sourcing and procurement aspects to support the Product Development Team in driving projects forward.

The Project Buyer will work alongside the Product Development Team to gain a deep understanding of the products and specific vendor requirements to source top quality manufacturing partners.

They will also work with our manufacturing partners to ensure purchased goods are delivery on-time and meet our high standard of quality.

Success in this role will be measured by the ability to source new products/manufacturers in a timely manner, while fostering vendor relationships in a respectful manner.

• Gain a detailed understanding of product specification, packaging, quality standards, and cost requirements to effectively source and compare new potential manufacturing partners.
• Create and send Request for Quote's (RFQ's) or other forms of competitive bid events to formally have new products quoted.
• Securely prepare and send development samples and/or CAD/drawing files to potential manufacturing partners to get accurate product quotes.
• Ensure manufacturers can meet product safety standards and certifications so that all requirements can be met throughout our import/export, packaging, and end customer fulfillment business processes.
• Negotiate and manage the Master Sales Agreement (MSA) with newly partnered manufacturers to ensure delivery and quality compliance is met.
• Manage and follow through the entire PO lifecycle related to sourcing projects, from creation to receiving. Solve any issues related to quality, quantity, ontime delivery, and service level.
• Act as a liaison between internal stakeholders and external vendors, maintaining relationships and ensuring satisfaction.

• Provide the Product Development Team with necessary product and manufacturing partner related data to help finalize project presentations for management.
• Regularly take part in project status meetings with the Product Development Team to ensure projects are properly prioritized and deadlines can realistically be met.
• Generate expected delivery reports for product and sample purchases to ensure stakeholders are kept up to date on delivery dates.
• Present data to internal stakeholders and manufacturing partners in a readable standard to ensure all reported metrics all clearly understood.
• Create regularly scheduled and adhoc reporting and analysis.

• Determine pricing requirements with the Product Development Team to aid in successful negotiation of product costs, freight, and other terms and conditions with vendors.
• Strategize with the Product Development Team Lead to successfully plan, problem solve, and complete the sourcing and procurement related functions within the Product Development Lifecycle.
• Identify ways to automate manual processes when applicable.
• Continuously challenge the quality and efficiency of current processes to determine if improvements can be made or new processes can be implemented. Document and maintain any new or revised processes.
• Continually discover, review, and propose new development opportunities to the Product Development Team Lead to feed the product development pipeline.

• Degree or diploma in Supply Chain, Business Administration, Engineering, or equivalent
• 3+ years of experience in overseas (international) product sourcing and procurement
• Certification in purchasing, procurement and logistics is strongly preferred (i.e., CSCMP, CSCP, CPIM, CPSM, CPP, etc.)
• Demonstrated experience in vendor relationship building and negotiation
• Strong technical and mechanical aptitude
• Experience using ERP systems for purchasing and inventory tracking
• Intermediate to advanced level in Microsoft Excel (i.e., pivot tables, VLOOKUP, charting)
• Superior communications skills both written and verbal, including experience in constant interactions, negotiations and in making presentations
• Must be able to travel internationally, and have or obtain a valid passport

• Onsite parking

• 8 hour shift

• Kitchener-Waterloo, ON: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)