Buyer

Company Overview

BIRNS, Inc. is an AS9100 certified global leader in the design and manufacturing of high-performance underwater connectors, subsea cable assemblies, subsea lighting, dive lights, and nuclear facility lighting. BIRNS is seeking a Buyer to work with our dynamic Procurement team.

Summary

This role is critical in managing supplier relationships and ensuring the procurement of high-quality materials essential for our specialized manufacturing processes.

The Buyer reports to the Procurement Manager and is responsible to ensure the availability of non-inventory supplies for production. The ideal candidate will have experience in a manufacturing environment and knowledge of supply chain processes and inventory management. This position plays a critical role in ensuring available product for the manufacturing lines.

Located in the United States, this position contributes significantly to our operational efficiency and product excellence.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. The employee may perform other related duties as required to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage purchase orders and ensure timely procurement of materials and supplies in accordance with standard company procedures
• Responsible for Kanban, MRO, Office and Breakroom supplies, as well as non-inventory purchase requirements/all requisitions
• Monitor inventory levels and implement effective inventory control measures
• Authorize payment for purchases by reviewing invoices and related documentation
• Monitor shipments to ensure goods are received on time and confer with Procurement Manager to resolve problems related to undelivered, defective or unacceptable goods or services to determine corrective action
• Coordinate calibration effort for QA
• Gage pulls for suppliers as needed (in addition to POs for gages loaned out)
• Support the purchasing department with following up of open POs scheduled to arrive within the next 14 days
• Research and coordinate onsite vendors as necessary

Skills and Experience Required

• High school diploma or GED
• Minimum of 3 years of purchasing/buyer/supply chain experience, preferably in a manufacturing setting, with a Bachelor’s degree or 5 years’ experience without a Bachelor’s degree
• Ability to work onsite in an office and manufacturing environment
• Proactive and self-organized
• Capable of working independently as well as in a team environment
• Ability to complete assigned tasks within the given time in order to meet strict deadlines
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Proficient in using purchasing software and tools
• Knowledge of logistics, inventory control, and supply chain management principles
• Attention to detail and ability to prioritize multiple tasks
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: High school diploma or general education degree (GED) and three + years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree, or five years of related experience without a Bachelor’s degree; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read and interpret documents such as operating and maintenance instructions, blueprints, data and procedure manuals. Good written language skills are required, including the ability to write routine reports and effective correspondence. Excellent verbal language skills are required, including the ability to speak effectively (and clearly so others can understand you) before individuals or groups. Skills in “active listening” are also required. i.e. giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

NEGOTIATION SKILLS: Ability to adeptly use standard negotiation techniques, in a friendly style for “win-win” outcomes.

SOCIAL SKILLS: Ability to interact with others as a contributing member of a close-knit team. Ability to work together with others, possibly of different backgrounds and interests, without undue friction. Work well with others. Able to maintain strict confidentiality.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, proportions and percentages. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. Ability to understand simple mechanical engineering drawings. Ability to apply statistical methods to procurement-related subjects.

REASONING ABILITY: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions. The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense. The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

COMPUTER SKILLS: Ability to comfortably use computer software in Windows environment. Intermediate to advanced understanding of manufacturing/MRB software, word-processing, spreadsheet, and related office applications. Ability to learn any new or additional software or hardware products as required by BIRNS in the future.

GENERAL SKILLS: Self-starter, able to work independently, able to work under pressure, comfortable with interacting with multiple levels of organization, able to work cross-functionally within organization to accomplish objectives, results oriented.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to manipulate papers during filing or mailing; use fingers to type; and reach with hands and arms (and, sometimes, to stoop) to place/replace file folders, documents, etc. The employee is regularly required to hear the telephone and use it to speak clearly to people. The employee must regularly lift and/or move files or documents weighing up to 10 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move items (e.g., catalogs or literature) weighing up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision for typing, color vision for filing with color-coded files and documents, and the ability to adjust focus, e.g., when shifting gaze back and forth between a document and a computer screen.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to an environment typical of a small-to-medium sized office. The noise level is usually quiet to moderate; noise producers include standard office equipment (including, but not limited to, ringing telephones and computer printers).

The employee is occasionally exposed to other hazards, when the employee needs to go onto our factory floor. There, hazards are typical of a light manufacturing environment. The noise level is usually quiet to moderate. The work is usually performed while seated, but the employee is regularly required to stand, e.g. when verifying inventory levels in the warehouse.

If you are ready to contribute to a leading company in the high-performance lighting industry, we invite you to apply for the Buyer position at BIRNS, Inc. Join us in shaping the future of innovative solutions!

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $27.00 - $32.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift

Application Question(s):

• Do you have at least 3 years of experience as a Buyer in manufacturing?

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience:

• Buyer: 3 years (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Oxnard, CA 93033 (Required)

Work Location: In person