Buyer/Planner (Direct & Indirect Procurement)

Description

Sullivan Tire, an employee-owned company, is currently seeking a Buyer/Planner to join our team in Taunton, MA. The Buyer/Planner is responsible for the execution of Sullivan Tire procurement strategy in the assigned category areas of direct and/or indirect spend.

This individual is responsible for executing prescribed buying and inventory strategies using the available purchasing management systems (purchase order, advance ship notice, procure to pay process, etc.) and to plan site specific inventory and warehouse space according to specified targets and capacities. Responsibilities include execution and administration in the areas of supplier program management (tracking credits and program related purchases), product offering/SKU administration as well as product/price forecast support. This role may be assigned to commodity areas within direct or indirect purchasing.

The Buyer/Planner’s core function is to drive positive results in Purchasing Department key performance indicators: managing inventory cost, managing inventory cash, and creating operational efficiency. This individual will participate daily in inventory planning, supplier forecasting, automated order execution, database maintenance, business process documentation, as well as many Purchasing Department administrative tasks. The Buyer/Planner is expected to develop comprehensive industry knowledge and depth of understanding of products, suppliers, and the competitive industry landscape in the assigned categories of spend, as well as developing purchasing systems proficiency (ERP, P2P, etc.).

Key Responsibilities

• Execute transactional purchasing process and inventory target management of a variety of tire, auto parts, or indirect suppliers to the Retail, Commercial & Lift Works Divisions. Execute auto-replenishment stock orders weekly, as well as monitoring for manual PO execution, and internal requisition fulfillment. Participate in weekly space planning meetings for major points of distribution within the Sullivan Tire network.
• Monitor daily inventory levels and adjust supply plans to comply with target guidelines. Balance inventory cost, cash and maintain compliance to achieve supplier program credits under the directive of Procurement management. Maintain awareness of key performance indicators as benchmarked on department dashboard to drive cash savings results.
• Serve as a key liaison between Sullivan Tire and a selected set of suppliers. This role will have primary responsibility for purchasing the supplier’s products and supplier relationship management. Perform a wide array of Purchasing Department administration tasks related to this subset of suppliers. Participate in the preparation and presentation of regular monthly supplier business reviews.
• Perform competitive supplier cost analysis, market price analysis, and conduct supplier negotiations aimed at lowering costs for Sullivan Tire. Track and record cost savings. Maintain awareness of key performance indicators as benchmarked on department dashboard to drive cost savings results.
• Participate in collaborative product forecasting with internal teammates, as well as outside supplier teams.
• Seek out, study, and implement Supply Chain Management best practices to achieve operational efficiencies. Seek innovative new approaches to Supply Chain Management, link and leverage technology and knowledge from outside suppliers to enhance internal performance.
  
  

Requirements

Education/Experience

• Prior procurement or sales role related to auto parts and tires highly desirable
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred, with 2 – 4 years of work experience in a business field with related core competencies preferred (i.e. strong computer and database technical skills, negotiation, supplier relations, etc.)
• Prior experience using D365 ERP procurement module highly desirable. Other MRP modules in SAP or Oracle also a plus
• Certifications in Procurement or Supply Chain Management a plus
• Consumer Tire / Automotive Industry knowledge and experience a plus.
• Education background in any of the following all a plus: computer science, communications, writing, literature, history, engineering fields
  
  

Skills/Knowledge

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Technical knowledge and proficiency in the OE and aftermarket auto parts business
• Ability to be a positive team player
• Willingness to learn new skills, open to new ideas
• Proactive problem solver
• Calm under pressure, a good listener, service attitude
• Ability to work well cross functionally with other teams/departments
• Focused on process improvement
• Analytical
• Demonstrably proficient in Excel, Word, Power Point, Outlook
• Prior experience with deeper set of Microsoft products a plus: D365 ERP system, Power Apps, Power BI, Access
  
  

Benefits

• Health Insurance- including Medical, Vision, and Dental
• Life and Disability Insurance
• Paid Holidays, Personal Time, and Vacation Time
• Discounted Services
• Employee Owned! Employee Stock Ownership Plan
• Flexible Spending
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Tuition Reimbursement
  
  

EEO Statement

Sullivan Tire and Auto Service is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.