Sourcing Specialist I

Purchasing Job

Working under general supervision, supports the Purchasing Division in one of the following areas: Purchasing - packaging components, raw ingredients, and/or fine and costume jewelry and quality items for recognition, promotion, and special events programs. With assistance from senior peers, demonstrates the ability to negotiate and/or implement initiatives that reduce Company costs and/or prevents annual cost increases by $100,000 to $200,000.

Plans, researches, and purchases up to $15 million in inventory in the most cost-effective manner while maintaining quality and supply flexibility. With assistance from senior peers, demonstrates the ability to negotiate and/or implements initiatives that reduce Company costs and/or prevents annual cost increases by $100,000 to $200,000. Makes decisions consistent with the overall policies and objectives of the Manufacturing Group and the Purchasing Division.

Utilizing a general understanding of the processes, cost pressure points, and supply evaluates supplier competence relative to others in the industry. Researches and provides feedback in the selection process for reliable first, second, and third source suppliers to increase capacity, achieve a competitive pricing situation, and ensure supply of quality components, ingredients, jewelry, recognition items, and contract manufacturing.

Responsible for interaction and problem resolution with suppliers such as resolving invoicing discrepancies, negotiating price, quality, and delivery, obtaining quotes, and expediting delayed shipments. Responsible for supplier correspondence, purchase orders, change orders, and scheduling supplier evaluation trips.

With guidance, pursues and investigates new project innovation. Contributes to the completion of organizational projects and goals. Asks questions, probes for answers as to why internal and external procedures, processes and technology are in use and makes suggestions for improvement. Develops solutions to routine problems of limited scope and complexity following established policies and procedures.

Prepares the component, ingredient, or finished good standard costs for the annual budget. This impacts the standard cost, cost of goods, planned corporate cash flow, and Company profit margins. Included in the preparation are specific cost reduction plans to ensure the appropriate cost of goods is maintained or reduced.

Responds to purchasing requirements that are listed in the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) report. Interfaces with Brand Marketing or Sales Force Recognition, Global Inventory Control, Supply Scheduling, Finance, Transportation and Compliance, Quality, and, depending on the project, Package Development, Engineering, Contract Manufacturing, and R&D to address purchasing requests, inquiries, problems, and status updates. Collaboration with Mary Kay China counterparts as needed to support their market needs.

Intercedes on behalf of Supply Scheduling to troubleshoot finished goods, component, or ingredient supplier service issues regarding replenishment procurement.

Buyer is assigned as the Purchasing owner for new product development initiatives. Interfaces with all departments involved in new product development from the initial idea phase to final approval. Responds to frequent changes and opportunities due to new products, materials, and processes and must complete projects on schedule.

Interfaces routinely with supervisor to resolve problems and review progress on projects. Usually guided by Supervisor in developing occasional innovative projects. Remains abreast of current technology and processes so that Mary Kay Inc. remains competitive in the marketplace.

With assistance from supervisor identifies tooling requirements for the annual budget process. Allocates tooling dollars as needed to execute both new product/package projects and upgrades to current packaging or increased capacity requirements. Submits Capital Expenditure Authorization requests with cost justifications calculated to cover tooling purchase orders required to buy all tooling. Responsible for issuing non-inventory purchase orders to cover all prep charges, artwork dies, etc. involved in producing components for Mary Kay Inc.

Leverages existing supplier relationship to support international plants and international markets. Acts as a liaison with international plants on purchasing, sourcing, and overall product supply strategies.

This job requires on-site work at a Mary Kay facility.

Skills & Experience

Experience: 1+ years in Purchasing role

Education: Bachelor Degree

Additional Skills & Abilities

Must have negotiation skills and the ability to influence decisions that impact Company bottom-line. Must have the ability to effectively interface with internal and external contacts and have the ability to monitor delicate situations tactfully. Must have the ability to understand business needs and plan the most cost-effective solution to goals and objectives, while balancing the needs of the independent sales force.

Must have decision-making skills since decisions impact the financial, employee, or public relations posture of the organization. Erroneous decisions or recommendations would normally require a moderate expenditure of resources to rectify.

Must have organizational, project management, and time management skills to work effectively with internal and external contacts.

Must have knowledge of and experience in materials, manufacturing, printing, and decorating processes, in order to meet Company production and cost objectives while maintaining quality and supply flexibility.

Must have oral and written communication skills in order to address purchasing requests, inquiries, and problems, interface effectively with suppliers, and to act as a liaison between Marketing and Manufacturing.

Must be knowledgeable about the laws and regulations associated with each region and aware of the cultural differences between the US and the region. Must have the ability to work with multiple cultures, in order to interface effectively with subsidiaries.