Buyer

Marlen International (“Marlen”) has been trusted by the world’s leading food brands for over 65 years. Located in Riverside, MO., Marlen is recognized as a global manufacturer of highly engineered food processing equipment and systems that designs and builds innovative solutions for the food processing industry.

We are seeking a candidate to fill a Buyer position. If you are seeking a position that provides a range of duties, continuous training, job growth and a solid health benefits plan with company-paid options, as well as three weeks of paid leave and a 401(k)-matching plan, we encourage you to apply.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Buyer will hold an integral role within our organization. Our manufacturing schedule relies on this person to ensure materials are ordered and received to support our customer needs. This is a high-volume position that requires focus, high degree of organization and a solid understanding of our business. To ensure success as a Buyer, you should have excellent customer service skills and the ability to interact effectively with a variety of staff members in all departments.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Cost Management:

• Have a strong knowledge of how to develop buying strategies
• Find opportunity with regard to cost reduction and negotiation
• Handle pricing, terms and other contractual issues with suppliers
• Know how to manage transportation costs and focus on reducing total landed cost

Purchase Order:

• Manage the purchase order replenishment process with a focus on matching inventory levels (supply) with the needs of our customers (demand)
• Process purchase orders and act as a liaison between the employees of Marlen International and its suppliers
• Resolve discrepancies and/or issues as they occur with all suppliers

Supplier Development:

• Manage supplier performance with routine supplier business reviews
• Bring new and improved product solutions forward
• Improved performance and/or alternative solutions are required

Sourcing:

• Work with Sales and Production to understand projects and identify potential sources of supply
• Gather project requirements from Sales and obtain pricing from qualified sources of Supply
• Create supplier relationships that offer results
• Drive for “best practice" processes
• Experience with project management, expediting and optimizing inventory levels
• Excellent communication skills
• Self-directed and detail-oriented with the desire to solve problems
• Must have an understanding of business and purchasing systems (Syteline, Infor, SAP, etc.)
• Be able to create and manage spreadsheets, contracts and PowerPoint

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• Four year college degree in engineering, supply chain or business preferred with 5+ years purchasing experience in a manufacturing environment or equivalent amount in a combination of education and experience.
• Solid analytical skills with expertise in MS Excel
• Prior experience in purchasing
• Understanding of ERP purchasing and planning modules. Experience in Syteline is a plus.

PREFERRED SKILLS:

• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and specifications of custom engineered components
• Desire to solve problems, be self-directed and detail-oriented
• Excellent communication skills

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The position is an office-based position with regular visits to the manufacturing area. The employee is frequently required to stand and sit.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and color vision.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function.

WHY YOU SHOULD APPLY:

• Competitive wages with growth opportunity.
• Shared company-paid premium health benefits with buy-up options.
• Company-paid telemedicine (general medicine) program.
• Company paid Long-term Disability Plan and Basic Life and AD&D.
• 401(k) employer matching plan.
• Three weeks of paid time off and 10 paid holidays.
• Educational Assistance Program that pays for job-related tuition assistance, training, course registration and exam fees (up to $5,250 per calendar year per eligibility requirements).
• Company discount program for you and your family (e.g., concerts, sporting events, health and wellness, travel, gifts and more!).
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that assists with guidance on childcare, financial planning, pet care and more.
• Driven Team Members: We have a cross-functional, collaborative environment, focused on delivering results.
• Customer-centric: We have long-standing valued customers and differentiate ourselves by providing them with exceptional services.
• Culture: We are driven by our number one asset our employees, and their successes!