Position Description: Purchasing Manager

Job Title | Purchasing Manager
Location | La Jolla, CA
Department | Materials Management

Summary

The primary purpose of this position is to develop improved inventory management processes and internal controls that focus on the measurement, accuracy, and protection of company inventories.  Key responsibilities include developing and maintaining Planning policies and procedures to meet Quality Systems requirements. Responsibilities also include establishing, reviewing and improving Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP II) systems to minimize waste and inventory value while maximizing material and product availability.  The Materials Manager will also work with Manufacturing and Accounting to maintain bills of materials and routings and develop accurate standard costs.  They will also ensure work orders are processed in a timely manner and assess variances as they occur.

The Materials manager will also have responsibility for incoming receiving and inventory management, as well as shipping activities associated with final product.  This includes ensuring timeliness and accuracy of incoming receipts, cycle counting, fulfillment of move orders and delivery and pick up of components to external suppliers.  The Materials manager will also provide support for Distribution in areas of staffing, design, specification, coordination, purchase, installation of necessary equipment, process, and systems modifications

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities of this position include the following, although other duties may be assigned.

• Responsible for computerized production planning and inventory control system used by this function. Ensure the accuracy of inventory and MRP reports. Contribute significantly to systems implementation and oversee computerized and accurate MRP and inventory accounting and control systems. Ensure maintenance of daily records of receipts, work-in-process, and shipments. Communicate with internal Information Systems and applications providers concerning systems solutions and troubleshooting.
• Establish inventory practices to achieve real time receipts and improved flow of inventory within receiving, stock and manufacturing. Develop company inventory policies and procedures. Monitor compliance and take corrective action as necessary. Develop internal controls and exception reporting for the protection of company inventories. Ensure the accuracy of daily inventory transactions and balances, while minimizing inventory discrepancies.
• Train, coach and develop Planning, Warehouse and Distribution personnel.  Monitor performance and manage successful achievement of departmental goals.
• Orchestrate process improvements resulting in inventory accuracy, inventory transactions and real time inventory processing. Monitor company inventory levels and direct management attention to problem areas. Assist sales, marketing, operations, and finance in the prevention and disposition of distressed (i.e., obsolete, aged, overstock, and slow moving) inventories and space management. Evaluate materials shortages and coordinate with purchasing department to order the necessary stock. Work closely with QA for products on hold for standard QA review and coordinate special inventory requests for product allocations to orders.
• Oversee inventory cycle counts. Reconcile all inventory discrepancies, identify the cause of the discrepancy and recommend changes to overcome the cause of the discrepancy. Enhance the daily cycle count program and reporting of results to metrics;
• Assist cost accounting with the analysis of inventory variances and institute required corrective action.
• Coordination between inventory processes – finished goods, work-in-progress, and raw material inventories. Maintain and report to select clientele all inventory flow and balances. Analyze inventory data and present data with the use of charts and graphs
• Coordinating with manufacturing in regards to issues relating to packaging, material transfers and work-in-progress issues
• Maintain inventory levels of raw materials and finished goods.
• Assignments as directed by manager.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Manages 1-2 subordinate supervisor who supervises 2-4 employees in the Materials Management Department.  Is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of these units.  Also directly supervises up to five non-supervisory employees.  Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience

College degree preferred. 6 - 8 years progressive production planning and inventory control experience. In-depth knowledge of warehouse and inventory control processes in a multi-plant/warehouse environment. Experienced in implementing and managing computerized MRP and inventory systems. APICS certification a plus.

Additional skills needed:

• Strong analytical skills
• Detail oriented, accurate, with strong analytical and problem solving skills
• Leadership and supervisory experience
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Good organizational and documentation skills
• Knowledge and proficiency of MS Word, EXCEL and automated ERP systems required
• Must have initiative, be a self-starter, and able to work in a fast paced, demanding environment while balancing multiple priorities and deadlines

Language Skills

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.  Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.  Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.  Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

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.

Certificates, Registrations, and Licenses

APICS certification a plus.

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.

Requires working on a computer up to 50% of the time.
Some time will be spent in a warehouse and shipping environment.

All qualified resumes should be submitted directly to careers@abh.com

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.