VDL Industries operates from a state-of-the-art, 150.000 square foot facility and is part of the VDL Group, headquartered in the Netherlands, an international industrial family business with 105 operating companies spread throughout 19 countries. They specialize in sheet metal manufacturing (80% stainless steel), TIG and MIG welding, robotic welding, CNC machining, and assembly of modules. They supply multiple industries like modules for poultry equipment, complete bus chassis, cabinets for trains, scaffolds, design street furniture, and parts for conveyor belts. For more information and inspiration look at this video and visit their website.
About the Position
The Purchasing Manager negotiates vendor terms, and prices and schedules delivery using knowledge of budget and schedule requirements. Purchases machinery, equipment, tools, parts, supplies, raw and semi-finished materials, and services necessary to meet customer requirements.
Main Tasks & Responsibilities
- Prepare RFPs and RFQs
- Purchase the highest quality merchandise at the lowest possible price and in correct amounts.
- Prepare purchase orders, solicit bid proposals, and review requisitions for goods and services.
- Research and evaluate suppliers based on price, quality, selection, service, support, availability, reliability, production and distribution capabilities, and the supplier’s reputation and history.
- Analyze price proposals, financial reports, and other data and information to determine reasonable prices.
- Monitor and follow applicable laws and regulations.
- Negotiate, renegotiate, and administer contracts with suppliers, vendors, and other representatives.
- Monitor shipments to ensure that goods come in on time and resolve problems related to undelivered goods.
- Confer with staff, users, and vendors to discuss defective or unacceptable goods or services and determine corrective action.
- Evaluate and monitor contract performance to ensure compliance with contractual obligations and to determine the need for changes.
- Maintain and review computerized or manual records of items purchased, costs, deliveries, product performance, and inventories.
- Review catalogs, industry periodicals, directories, trade journals, and Internet sites and consult with other department personnel to locate necessary goods and services.
- Study sales records and inventory levels of current stock to develop strategic purchasing programs that facilitate employee access to supplies.
- Develop vendors and visit suppliers’ plants and distribution centers to examine and learn about products, services, and prices.
- Arrange the payment of duty and freight charges.Write and review product specifications, maintaining a working technical knowledge of the goods or services to be purchased.
- Monitor changes affecting supply and demand, tracking market conditions, price trends, or futures markets.
- Formulate policies and procedures for bid proposals and procurement of goods and services.
- Assure the supplier has an Approved Vendors List with critical materials, components, or services that are locked so that they must be purchased from specific sub-tier suppliers.
- Create an approved vendor list, conduct supplier audits
- Keep up with material market pricing, manage material inventory, negotiate best pricing with suppliers, as well as perform general procurement functions.
- Willing to travel on occasion.
What We Expect from You
Your Work Experience & Education
- Bachelor’s Degree or the equivalent experience.
- 5+ years of Purchasing experience.
- Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
- Knowledge of laws and government regulations pertaining to purchasing products.
- Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
- Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
- Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
- Knowledge of math at its business applications.
- Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, spreadsheets, managing files and records, and other office procedures.
- Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
- Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals.
- Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, and accounting for these expenditures.
Daily activities
- Locate sources of supply for purchasing
- Confer with sales or purchasing personnel
- Confer with vendors, make a presentation
- Mediate or arbitrate disputes
- Negotiate business contracts
- Identify the supplier with the best bid
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Developing and Building Teams
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Processing Information
- Determine reasonable prices
- Manage contracts
- Order or purchase supplies, materials, or equipment
- Monitor consumer or marketing trends
- Fill out purchase requisitions
- Maintain records, reports, or files
- Monitor contract performance
