Buyer

Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Milford, New Hampshire (USA), Hitchiner Manufacturing Co., Inc. is the premier supplier of complete-to-print, high-volume, complex thin-wall investment castings and fully-finished casting-based subassemblies and components to industry. The company leads the industry in volume production, reduced lead-times and just-in-time manufacturing. Hitchiner produces castings in hundreds of different alloys for a broad spectrum of global markets and customers that include the leaders in the automotive, aerospace, and other industries.
We offer an enriching environment where learning and growing become part of your career. Hitchiner is dedicated to fostering the professional growth and development of our employees. We offer upward mobility and internal promotions.
Benefits:
Hitchiner offers highly competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Onsite Primary Care at the Hitchiner Health and Resource Center for convenient and no cost preventative, acute and chronic medical and behavioral health services for employees and their dependents.
• Onsite state of the art Gym/Fitness Center, open 24/7 for all employees
• Medical and Dental Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Basic and Accidental Life Insurance (company paid)
• Short-term and Long-term Disability Insurance (company paid)
• 401K (pre-tax and ROTH) with Excellent Company Match and Immediate Vesting
• Company Profit Sharing Plan
• 3 weeks' Vacation to start; 4 weeks' Vacation at 5 Years; 5 weeks' Vacation at 10 years seniority
• We set you up for success with our "Center for Excellence" onsite training center for new hires and existing employees to improve new learning and continuous growth
• Training and Educational Assistance Programs

Prime Responsibilities and Major Factors in Evaluating Performance:

1. Under general supervision, develops and implements cost-effective and efficient procedures to purchase assigned commodities in accordance with product specifications and services in accordance with user stated requirements and company policies and procedures.
2. Evaluates prices, selecting and developing sources of supply. Negotiates price, delivery, quality requirements and terms and conditions of service.
3. Prepares contracts, including terms and conditions, makes award and ensures adherence to agreements with suppliers within budgetary limitations.
4. Has purchase order approval authority, as established by Corporate and departmental policy, and as delegated by cognizant Director of Procurement, to make financial commitments on the part of the company.
5. Prioritize opportunities for cost reduction and/or cost avoidance and initiate projects to reduce the total cost. Evaluate and identify potential new suppliers.
6. Monitors supplier performance and prepares reports and other records pertaining to the items or services purchased, cost, delivery, product or service performance, supplier performance and/or inventories, as applicable.
7. Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of the current markets and evolving technologies/trends to identify opportunities for cost reduction and/or process improvements.
8. Cross train effectively into areas of logistics, vendor set up, and audit duties as assigned.
9. Manage vendor base effectively and resolve any misunderstandings, complaints, rejected material issues, delivery and performance issues.
10. Communicates with user departments such as engineering, quality, manufacturing and facilities to ensure their requirements are met.
11. Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to think outside of the box. Able to interface with all levels within the organization, and make independent judgment calls as required.
12. Provide mentoring and support to Associate Buyers.
13. Observe the highest ethical standards as outlined in the Hitchiner Code of Conduct and ensure that all activities and operations are performed in compliance with it.

Additional Responsibilities:

1. Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Acceptable Qualifications:

1. Bachelor's degree and 3-5 years of professional Purchasing experience required.
2. Certification (e.g. Certified Professional in Supply Management -CPSM) through the Institute of Supply Management or similar accrediting body preferred.
3. A strong knowledge of structured problem solving and a solid understanding of planning principles. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, the ability to manage diverse projects simultaneously and a demonstrated ability to negotiate effectively required.
4. Strong presentation, conflict resolution, negotiation and goal setting abilities.
5. On a "business needs" basis as determined by the department manager, an Associate Buyer who has been in his/her current position for a minimum of one year may advance into this position through natural progression, provided he/she meets all the qualifications of this position.

We consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, the presence of a non-job-related medical condition or handicap, or any other legally protected status. EOE/Veterans/Disabled are encouraged to apply.