MAJOR FUNCTION- The Strategic Buyer is supporting the Category Manager in managing the external supply base on assigned commodities to achieve the company's business objectives. This position will be dedicated to improving our supply chain performance on engineered metal and rotomolded parts.- ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES-- Prepares requests for proposals, solicits quotations, evaluates bids, negotiates prices, and negotiates terms with suppliers in support of company objectives. Identifies and selects suppliers based on total cost of ownership including quality and delivery performance.- Manages relationships with assigned suppliers to optimize performance including developing supplier report cards, supporting quality & delivery improvement, and organizing key supplier meetings. Focuses, specifically, on improving supplier performance on engineered metal and rotomolded parts.- Selects suppliers for new products and utilizes ERP to ensure material availability in support of the production schedule on new products. Places initial purchase orders from approved requisitions. Manages transition of new suppliers to the Planning group.- Develops an annual cost reduction and cash flow improvement plan for assigned commodity categories and executes the plan.- Works with Product Management to improve our part obsolescence process.- Performs other tactical duties as required to optimize material flow such as DMT management, supporting engineering changes, maintaining data integrity in the ERP system, etc.- Assists in supplier management including risk management, commodity strategy development, inventory management, and major problem resolution with assigned suppliers.- Supports continuous improvement of procurement processes- MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS- EDUCATION:- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Marketing or related field of study.- EXPERIENCE:- Minimum of 3 years of related business or manufacturing experience in procurement or material planning, including direct experience with Engineered Metal Parts. Experience with rotomolded parts desired.- Fluency in English and Spanish.- KNOWLEDGE & PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES:- Basic knowledge of sound procurement practices.- Familiarity with engineering drawings.- Experience with material planning in an ERP environment.- Ability to plan, organize, and manage multiple projects.- Excellent oral and written communication skills.- Able to interact with all functional areas and all organizational levels.- Able to represent the company to suppliers at all levels of management.- Able to manage internal and external supplier relationships.- Must be able to analyze problems and develop improvement plans- Working conditions: Requires some travel.- Experience in lean and/or Six Sigma improvement methodologies would be a plus.- COMPUTER SKILLS:- Proficiency in use of MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint- Proficient knowledge of ERP systems, such as BAAN, Oracle, JDE, or SAP