Highlights of Procurement Manager Position

This position is accountable to implement corporate procurement strategies at the Arkansas Operations.  The incumbent develops and trains procurement staff, manages plant supply chain costs, implements supplier performance management processes, develops strategies for targeted commodities, and optimizes supply base moving towards fewer strategic suppliers.  Position assesses, identifies and manages relationships with key customers to ensure delivery in accordance with service level agreements.  The position also develops negotiation strategies, manages plant contract negotiation process and implements and manages agreements.  The incumbent networks resources with other plants to leverage volume and consolidate supply base within and outside of the business unit.  The incumbent adheres to all corporate and local safety, import/export, financial control and quality policies and procedures.  The incumbent manages self-assessment and audit processes, is the liaison between contract stores group and plant and is the global process owner of SAP MM.

Company Information

The client is a stable, established, diversified company with a global presence, and a strong tie to US manufacturing.  The specialty products they manufacture are used in a variety of industrial applications including ceramics and refractories.  In fact, they are the only global producer of one group of materials used in those applications.  Overall, they employ over 900 people in 20 locations worldwide.  The client implements a business system that is based on the management concepts of Toyota along with the principles of Six Sigma.  Overall then, this is a company dedicated to longevity via continuous improvement to an already proven business record.

Key Responsibilities of Procurement Manager Position

• Implements corporate procurement strategies; uses framework PO supply arrangements; identifies leveraging opportunities for BU’s specific commodities; and works with other plants to leverage volume and consolidate supply base across the business unit.
• Manages supply chain costs and establishes performance management processes for suppliers.  Develops supplier relationship management strategies and optimizes supply base moving towards fewer strategic suppliers.  Manages customer relationships and leads negotiations.  Manages relationships with on-site stores vendors.
• Provides training and development opportunities.  Assists group to comply with safety, import/export, financial control and quality policies and procedures.
• Manages relationships in manner that ensures delivery in accordance with service level agreements.
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Required Skills and Experience

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Set Vision and Strategy – create and deliver a vision of the future to maximize company performance.  Establish and commit to strategies and a course of action to accomplish that long-range vision.  Communicate a clear view of the desired future state.
• Build our Organization and Inspire Our People – Attract and grow people to maximize the collective skills of the organization.  Inspire and motivate them to achieve the organization’s strategic intent, vision and goals.  Create and sustain the organization and structure needed to support our people and business strategies.
• Know the Business – Understand customers, markets, business operations and emerging issues.  Base decisions on facts, experience and logical assumption taking into consideration opportunity for gain, resources, constraints, risk/reward and organizational values.
• Drive for Results – Establish high goals for organization success and personal accomplishment.  Lead to meet or exceed those goals.  Create a nimble organization that executes well and makes speed in achieving high quality results a competitive advantage for .
• Make the Difficult Decisions – Make timely decisions in the face of obstacles, difficulties and challenges.  Act decisively demonstrating confidence and the strength of one’s convictions.  Commit the organization’s resources to achieve the company’s strategies taking calculated, well-thought out risks when necessary.
• Encourage Open Exchange of Ideas and Knowledge – Create a culture of open, honest communication where all are encouraged and feel free to express their views.
• Analytical – Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs work flows and procedures.
• Customer Service – Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.
• Interpersonal Skills – Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others’ ideas and tries new things.
• Integrity – maintains, promotes and models social, ethical and organizational norms; firmly adheres to codes of conduct and ethical principles.
• Teamwork – Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others’ views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone’s efforts to succeed; Works effectively and cooperatively with others; establishes and maintains good working relationships with internal and external partners to facilitate the accomplishment of work goals / objectives.
• Change Management – Develops workable implementation plans; Communicates changes effectively; Builds commitment and overcomes resistance; Prepares and supports those affected by change; Monitors transition and evaluates results.
• Quality Management – Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
• Adaptability – Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events; Maintains effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or the work environment, adjusting effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements or cultures.
• Innovation – Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others’ attention.

Qualifications and/or Requirements

Position requires bachelor’s degree in engineering or business or at least 10 years procurement management experience in an industrial environment.  Preferred individual possesses procurement professional certification.  Incumbent must possess extensive industrial experience gained through procurement assignments in a manufacturing arena.  Core competencies required include contract management and administration, financial analysis and project management.  In addition, incumbent must possess keen negotiation skills, ability to deal effectively with suppliers and external customers and skills to effectively develop and mentor subordinates.  Proficiency in MS excel, word and power point and access also required in addition to active affiliation with NAPM.

Language Skills:

Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.  Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.  Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Computer Skills:

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Internet software; Manufacturing software; Spreadsheet software, Word Processing software and knowledge of SAP.

About the Author:

The Teldar Group is an Executive Search and Recruiting Firm specializing in placing professionals in Procurement, Strategic Sourcing, Purchasing, Logistics and Supply Chain positions.

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