I. Job Purpose and Core Tasks

The KSEA-OR1 Buyer/Planner is an integral member of the Purchasing team in Global Supply Chain supporting the success of the OR1 product and services portfolio across North America. This position requires a responsive individual, who takes ownership and understands the global organization to respond quickly and decisively to problem situations and who can identify and anticipate opportunities or problems and proactively take action to correct the problem. The position coordinates activities involved with procuring goods and services, such as raw materials, equipment, tools, parts, and supplies required for KSEA-OR1 service and installation processes.

• Purchase the highest quality merchandise at the lowest possible landed cost and in correct amounts, solicit bid proposals via RFQs/RFIs, and review requisitions for goods and services.
• Analyze price proposals, financial reports, and other data and information to determine strategies that meet the firm's goals and objectives.
• Research and evaluate suppliers based on price, quality, selection, service, support, availability, reliability, production and distribution capabilities, and the supplier's reputation and history and fit with KARL STORZ business objectives.
• Initiating and ensuring cost reduction on product, service, delivery and payment terms is required. This includes, but not limited to process improvements that ultimately save the organization money. This includes but is not limited to KSEA sister companies and 3rd party vendors.
• Material requirement planning is critical to this position and to KARL STORZ. Short- and long-term planning, calculating months of inventory on hand and updating SAP planning parameters are done on a routine basis to ensure accurate inventory levels to support the OR1 Production, Product Deployment and Performance Support success.
• Helps draft and negotiate, administer, execute contracts, NDAs, Framework Agreements with external partners.
• Evaluate and monitor contract performance to ensure compliance with contractual obligations and to determine need for changes.
• Monitor and follow applicable laws and regulations.
• Monitor shipments to ensure that goods come in on time and resolve problems related to undelivered goods and communicate.
• Generate reports, analyze and review the data and take action on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. These reports include but are not limited to backorder status, long term planning analysis, min / max inventory levels and dollars, stock analysis, PO reports and inventory turns.
• Preemptive reporting and actions are required to avoid excess/obsolete inventory. Weekly update and communication with the Inventory Analyst are required.
• Work closely with KSEA Accounts Payable department to research and resolve Invoice issues.
• Confer with staff, users, and vendors to discuss defective or unacceptable goods or services and determine corrective action. Process and follow thru with Non-Conformance Material Reports (NCR).
• Work with vendors and KARL STORZ teams to identify and support EOL/EOS strategies including but not limited to last time buys.
• Participate in vendor audits; may assist in development of audit process
• Will spend part of his/her time as a member of continuous improvement teams undertaking projects and seeking ways to improve the quality of OR1 products and services.

II. Minimum Knowledge, Education and Skill Requirements

Required

Minimum knowledge, education and skills:

• 2 years' experience as buyer/planner or equivalent
• Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field
• equivalent combination of education and experience

• Strong SAP experience or equivalent MRP system
• Strong skills in Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint

Minimum soft skill requirements:

• Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing electronic files and records in a regulated ISO environment
• Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
• Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective production and distribution of goods.
• Active listening, learning, and expert written, and verbal skills are required.
• Use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
• Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Preferred

Preferred knowledge, education and skills:

• 5 years' experience as buyer/planner or equivalent
• Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field
• Or equivalent combination of education and experience

• Designing forms and spreadsheets, and other office procedures and terminology.

Preferred soft skill requirements:

• Provide information to supervisors, co-workers, and peers by telephone, in written form, email, or in person.
• Use computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to set up functions and transactions, enter data, or process information.
• Observe, receive, and otherwise obtain information from all relevant sources.
• Effective and professional communication with internal and external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or email.
• Develop specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, accomplish, and report status of work.
• Develop constructive and cooperative working relationships with internal and external sources and maintaining them over time.
• Analyze information and evaluate results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Compile, code, categorize, calculate, tabulate, audit, or verify information or data.
• Monitor and review information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess paperwork.

III. Essential Function

• Must be able to work overtime to perform the job responsibilities listed.
• Must be punctual, able to sustain attendance guidelines, and work hours as assigned.
• Must be able to work in an office environment , operate a computer and work on it daily.
• This position requires a responsive individual, who responds quickly and decisively to problem situations and who can anticipate opportunities or problems and proactively take action to minimize the problem.
• This individual needs to be flexible, manage priorities and work productively under minimal supervision.
• This position requires an individual to incorporate their professional material experience with their interpersonal cognitive skills and incorporate honesty, integrity and respect for coworkers into their everyday interactions.
• This position requires a result orientated individual who can work independently, take ownership, see change as an opportunity and cultivate networks to improve existing processes and procedures.

IV. Core Requirements

• Degree of accountability: Generally managed
• Degree of decision making: Diversified tasks
• Financial/Budgetary: Limited
• Safety: Adhere to KARL STORZ Safety protocols
• Quality: Adhere to KARL STORZ Quality Management System
• Supervision: Does not supervise others
• Authority to Sign (not applicable for North America): N/A
• Travel: Up to 10% travel

Other duties consistent with the general nature and focus of the job and/or the goals and objectives of the department may be assigned.

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