The Purchasing Engineer position is responsible for managing the new product launch process for purchased components & materials. The key function is to support the Purchasing Department's overall organizational and operational objectives. This includes selection and evaluation of new suppliers, leading cross functional team audits to qualify new suppliers, creating and implementing sourcing strategies for new components, obtaining and analyzing quotes, analyzing make vs buy scenarios for current in-house manufactured products, and leading design reviews between R&D, Quality, Mfg. Engineers and key suppliers to identify opportunities to reduce material costs.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Lead new product development process for Purchasing Department, managing all new projects from initial kick-off to approved product launch.
- Research, evaluate, audit, and recommend new suppliers based on their ability to provide value in the form of products or services that are strategically suited to the current and future needs of the Viking Corporation.
- Component quoting and cost analysis for all new product components.
- Lead new supplier audits with cross functional Viking team (Quality, R&D, etc.).
- Lead design reviews between Viking R&D, Quality, Mfg. Engineering and key suppliers in order to recommend lower cost alternatives for raw materials, etc.
- Attend internal new product development meetings as the Purchasing Department representative.
- Analyze make vs buy scenarios for new product to identify potential cost saving opportunities.
- Identify opportunities to reduce supplier lead times.
- Identify opportunities to reduce raw material inventory at Viking (Kanban, consignment inventory, etc.)
REQUIREMENTS:
- BS in Engineering or BA in Supply Chain Management, with emphasis on technical and engineering classes, plus three years purchasing or project management experience; or equivalent.
- Up to 25% travel for supplier evaluations and audits.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Excellent Microsoft Excel skills.
- Ability to develop a strategic sourcing plan, implement this plan, and measure & present the results.
- Knowledge of or experience in lean manufacturing environment.
- Ability to communicate technical issues between engineers & suppliers.
- Ability to work independently and complete projects on time to achieve goals.
- Ability to lead internal teams to implement change to reduce costs.
- Prefer experience using an MRP system.
