Senior Buyer

CEM Corporation is a leading global provider of solutions for critical laboratory application in analytical laboratory, chemical synthesis, biotechnology, environmental testing, and food processing markets. As a worldwide leader in laboratory instrumentation and chemical solutions, the company was founded in 1978 and has nearly 200 patents and over 10 R&D 100 awards for its microwave-based products. CEM's headquarters is located in Matthews, NC and operates subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, and Singapore. CEM Corporation (Matthews, NC) is seeking a highly self-motivated individual for a Senior Buyer position. The senior buyer will oversee their assigned procurement process and lead strategic sourcing initiatives for the organization. This position will play a crucial role in sourcing and procuring raw materials, negotiating, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring timely delivery of products at competitive prices. This role will work closely with the production and quality teams to meet the company’s operational needs while maintaining the highest standards of quality and cost-efficiency. Responsibilities: Senior Buyer Responsibilities Include but not limited to: Supplier Management : Identify, evaluate, and negotiate with suppliers to secure advantageous terms and agreements. Develop and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers. Support direction and strategies regarding supplier demand forecasting, supplier capacity planning, supply base inventory management, supplier replenishment, and procurement transactions. Manage supplier on-time delivery (OTD) performance, maintain system data integrity, and measure performance on related key indicators. Cost Optimization : Implement cost-effective purchasing strategies without compromising quality and reliability. Continuously seek opportunities to reduce procurement costs. Evaluate total landed cost to assess strategic sourcing decisions. Quality Assurance : Collaborate with quality control teams to ensure purchased commodities meet the required standards and specifications. Inventory Management : Work closely with inventory management teams to maintain optimal stock levels and prevent shortages or overstock situations. Coordinate engineering change order (ECO) activities with suppliers and internal support functions. Facilitate obsolescence reviews, cycle count variance analysis, non-conforming product controls, and backorder analysis. Risk Management : Proactively identify potential risks in the supply chain and develop contingency plans to mitigate disruptions. Consulting with R&D during the development of new instruments to ensure the competitiveness of future instruments by eliminating possible future supply issues of components (preventing single source, easier manufacturability, including off-the-shelf components, choosing reliable suppliers etc.) Compliance : Ensure compliance with relevant regulations, company policies, and ethical standards in all procurement activities. Reporting and Market Analysis : Generate regular reports on procurement metrics, cost savings, and supplier performance. Analyze data to make data-driven decisions. Stay updated with market trends, commodity prices, and supplier capabilities to make informed purchasing decisions. Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree in Purchasing, Business Administration or Finance 3 years working in procurement. Understanding of manufacturing processes, materials, and equipment. A combination of education and/or experience will be considered. Ability to analyze supply and demand trends, evaluate vendor performance, Proficiency in managing multiple tasks, prioritizing work, and maintaining organized records. Ability to negotiate terms, pricing, and conditions with vendors and suppliers. Experience in an OEM environment and risk mitigation is valuable. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Proficiency with Microsoft applications (Outlook, Excel, Word, etc.). Significant ERP system skills required, preferably Microsoft Dynamics 365 CEM Corporation is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. All applicants will be given equal consideration regardless of race, sex, age, color, national origin, marital status, religion, disability or veteran status, and any other criterion proscribed by law.