Associate buyer Jobs in Denver, CO

Job Summary :

The Indirect Buyer will be responsible for commercializing low complexity supplier agreements, driving total cost reduction, and creating and capturing value for Highridge Medical Operations by partnering with internal stakeholder and suppliers. You will be a trusted advisor that delivers value and fosters innovation. Additionally, you will be responsible for the purchase of assigned categories from “cradle to grave” (e.g., Facilities, Marketing Services, R&D Services, IT Hardware, and Software) and interact daily with internal stakeholders.

To be successful in this role, you will need negotiation skills; a moderate understanding of Contract Management (e.g., commercial and legal terms); be detail oriented; strong communication and business acumen; an understanding of Indirect Sourcing Category Management; and proven experience in driving improved supplier performance.

You will contribute to the definition of objectives, strategies, accept team decisions and work toward their implementation to deliver results. Establish and support the norms and conditions for a work environment that supports team productivity. Draw on the strengths of team members, seek input of stakeholders, and work cross-functionally to resolve issues.

Proactively analyze and interpret information and determine if processes are in control, accurate and meeting customer demands. Works closely with leaders to develop and implement department procedures and guidelines, processes, and process improvements. Makes day-to-day decisions that demonstrate a basic understanding of financial business drivers including balancing risks and rewards, creating financial business cases that drive decision making, timely executing contracts and processing associated Purchase Orders, managing the vendor set up in the ERP system with Finance, addressing invoice variances (i.e. price or quantity variances) with Accounts Payable, and knowing when to escalate issues. Integral in the development and enhancement of the ERP system (i.e. SAP and Oracle).

Principal Duties and Responsibilities :

• Ensure that all activities are carried out in accordance with company policies and practices.
• Generally, lead sourcing, contract negotiations, and ongoing supplier relationship management activities for Indirect Goods and Services. Specifically, this entails :

Review Sourcing requirements and align with other departments regarding requirements, specifications, quantity, delivery requirements and payment conditions.

• Evaluate, recommend, and implement alternative suppliers that result in cost savings and / or improved delivery.
• Negotiate long-term contracts and agreements incorporating price improvements, working capital improvements, preferred terms and conditions, and / or quality agreements.

Escalates issues or challenges to appropriate functions when price discrepancies, supplier constraints, and / or quality issues arise requiring resolution.

Accountability for the accuracy and impact of supply decisions.

Creates, disseminates, and communicates supplier performance reporting to relevant stakeholders.

• Implement and maintain the effectiveness of the quality system as it pertains to Indirect Purchasing.
• Support Purchasing metrics and various ad hoc reports as requested.
• Support the Supplier Diversity, Supplier Relationship Management, and other initiatives (e.g. Sustainability) as applicable.

This is not an exhaustive list of duties or functions and may not necessarily comprise all of the "essential functions" for purposes of the ADA.

Expected Areas of Competence (i.e., knowledge, skills, and abilities)

• Minimum of 1-3 years of strategic sourcing and contract management experience in Indirect Goods and Services required.
• Ability to quickly and accurately generate action requirements based on stakeholder and supplier information etc.
• Excellent Spreadsheet skills and proficient use of Microsoft Office products (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and ERP systems experience required.
• Excellent communication skills required with the ability to communicate appropriately with all levels (able to communicate equally well with all employees including the Company President).
• Must be a self-starter, self-managed, and an effective team player and possess excellent analytical / problem solving skills.
• Must have the ability to handle low-to-medium complex problems, make sound decisions and work independently under the pressure of a heavy workload with significant time restrictions.
• Sound understanding of accounting principles (e.g. payment terms, working capital, TCO), P2P processes, and Procurement Programs (e.g. Supplier Diversity, Sustainability etc.) to be able to function responsibly in this position.
• Must be able to operate with minimal supervision.
• An intermediate understanding of a quality management system and how it impacts the manufacturing environment, requirements, documentation etc. is needed to ensure regulatory compliance.

Education / Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical, accounting, or other business discipline.
• MBA, ISM / CPSM, Project Management or similar certification preferred, but not required.
• Minimum of 1-3 years of strategic sourcing and contract management experience for Indirect Goods and Services required.
• 5 years supplier collaboration / purchasing experience required.
• Experience in Medical Device Manufacturing preferred.

Travel Requirements

Up to 10%