Job Description

(Bilingual) Buyer - International

About the Company:

IPS Corporation is a global, market-leading provider of solvent cements, adhesives, and specialized plumbing products. Founded in 1954 in Los Angeles, CA, IPS began by producing clear cements for laminating acrylic sheet for aircraft canopies. Today, IPS, with its three operating companies, has eight manufacturing plants and nine distribution centers supporting sales to a diverse set of end markets in 85 countries.

About Diversified Products:

At IPS Corporation's Diversified Products operating company, our mission is to empower our plumbing and roofing customers to deliver results with the highest level of performance, quality, and efficiency. We do this by committing to getting better every day, and we welcome you as you are. We are consciously creating an environment where all people have an equal opportunity to succeed, where everyone feels included, and diversity is celebrated.

About the Role:

The International Material Buyer will report directly to the Buyer Manager with a dotted line to Director of Supply Chain and is responsible for the procurement of a variety of domestic and imported raw materials, components and finished goods. The position's primary responsibility is to issue, process and maintain purchase orders in a timely manner ensuring the best quality, service, delivery, and total cost of ownership in accordance with organizational objectives and sourcing strategies under the direction of the Buyer Manager. In this role, you'll partner closely with suppliers in China and Mexico so fluency in Spanish would be preferred.



In addition, the Material Buyer will be expected to provide the Buyer Manager with all relevant supplier information, as required by IPS procurement policies. You must also ensure vendor performance, product or service availability and compliance with Federal, State and local laws and regulations governing IPS transactions. The Material Buyer's mission is to identify the best value and source of materials and services and ensure all purchase orders are completed correctly and in a timely manner, in order to avoid any undesired inventory shortage or surplus. As a key member of the company's Supply Chain team, the goal of the Material Buyer will be to execute the daily tactical functions required by the strategic mission outlined by the Director of Supply Chain and the VP of Operations and continuously evaluate supplier performance and address potential improvement opportunities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Issue and maintain auditable purchase orders. Validate purchase requisitions, focusing on price, supplier performance, and risk. Review and approve vendor set-ups to ensure accuracy of supplier database. Coordinate purchasing activities by working with Strategic Procurement Manager, Director of Supply Chain, and Production Scheduling to maintain inventory at planned levels. This includes consistent follow-up with Production Scheduling and Inventory Control regarding forecasts. Expedite or delay orders as may be needed to ensure proper inventory levels. Monitor the cost, schedule, and scope of assigned supply chains to ensure optimal cost vs quality. Develop new supply sources where suppliers are inadequate. Resolve incorrect invoices, shipping errors, cancellation of orders, non-conformance materials, and engineering changes. Understand general budgeting/standard costing management strategies to adequately plan and carry out procurement functions. Analyze proposal/bid quotations by evaluating factors such as commercial terms and conditions, price, delivery, financial status, technical capabilities, quality control, inventory polices, and payment terms. Review open order reports weekly. Provide feedback to suppliers regarding quality and production complaints and monitor performance of suppliers, reporting all evaluations to the Strategic Procurement Manager. Process RMA (Return Material Authorization) for NCMR (Non-Confirming Material Report) material. Assist inventory managers in minimizing excess inventory and eliminating obsolete materials. Implement cost reduction whenever possible without affecting final product quality.

Education and Experience Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in business administration, Supply Chain, Economics, or a related field desired.

Critical Competencies:

2 to 4+ years of professional purchasing experience is required. Intermediate to advanced skills in MS Excel is required Experience in a manufacturing or high SKU volume environment is strongly preferred. Experience in packaging, logistics, metals, and third-party services is desired. Experience analyzing contracts and financial data and developing total cost of ownership models (TCO) is preferred. Experience dealing with international buying is preferred Fluency in Spanish is preferred but not required. Knowledge in computerized ERP and MRP systems is required. Working knowledge of JD Edwards ERP system is preferred. Experience assisting in developing Request for Proposals (RFP) and Request for Quotations (RFQ) is desired. Ability to read and understand material specifications is required. Ability to operate within the scope of large complex projects, including performing to a project timeline, ensuring quality deliverables, and maintaining effective communication throughout is required. Must be ready and willing to work in a fast-paced environment and display the ability to handle multiple priorities and demonstrate strong problem-solving skills.

Our offer:

We're a rapidly growing midsized company with a customer-centric mentality operating fast and lean. We think big, embrace problem solving, and believe our proven business system gives us a competitive edge in the markets we play. Through experience in this role, mentoring and via formal instruction, we will grow your career and develop you based off your strengths and interests. A career with IPS Corporation will push you and challenge you, providing growth opportunities and the prospects to advance your career. If you are a driven performer, you will work with committed, like-minded people, giving you the support to reach your full potential.
Competitive Compensation Package Insurance Benefits - Medical (Aetna), Dental (Delta Dental), Vision (Aetna Vision) Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Voluntary Benefits - Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Accident Basic Life insurance with dependent coverage optional 401(k) with Company Match Vacation and Sick Leave Short term & Long Term disability Tuition assistance program Employee assistance program * Professional Development Opportunities