Buyer

AFL manufactures industry-leading fiber optic cable, connectivity and accessories and provides engineering and installation services for some of the largest telecom customers in the world. Our company was founded in 1984 with a single fiber optic cable and today, we manufacture thousands of products, generate an excess of $2B in revenue, and employ approximately 11,000 associates worldwide. At AFL, we recognize that our employees are our greatest asset. We hire and train each individual, investing in them to ensure success in their careers. With a commitment to professional development and growth, let us connect you to your next career opportunity.

The Buyer position is responsible for the planning and purchasing of raw materials in support of the manufacturing organization or planning and purchasing of finished goods for the distribution organization managing the supplier base and executing the overall Supply Chain organization business plan.

• →Maintain complete ownership of the procurement process to include creating requisitions through MRP and ensuring on-time delivery of required materials including, but not limited to, ordering, expediting, invoice reconciliation, and returns to support production or distribution activities as assigned.
• →Deliver assigned supply chain objectives in support of annual BU plan, while balancing material availability against cost
• →Support activities as it relates to new part number introduction through Engineering Change Order process, i.e. FAIs and new Supplier Setups.
• →Analyze inventory levels as required to coincide with changing customer demand, lead time changes and other initiatives and provide recommendations to Demand Planning Supply Chain Analytics team when changes need to be made based on updated attributes
• →Interface with vendors with respect to price negotiation, availability of materials, and delivery time
• →Ensure that all purchase orders are clearly defined, entered and updated, in an accurate and timely manner.
• →Continuously work to improve delivery, quality and service of suppliers
• →Ensure that problems relating to delivery or pricing are promptly conveyed to the vendor and resolved in a timely manner
• →Work with Supplier Development Teams and Supplier Quality teams to address issues related to quality of products. Assist in populating Supplier Scorecards to drive desired behaviors with the suppliers.
• →Pursue inventory and cost reduction initiatives
• →Update cost saving reports monthly or as required to support Business objectives
• →Research and establish contacts with potential new vendors to develop additional or new sources for off-the-shelf components

• Must have strong interpersonal influence and ability to build strong business partnerships both internally and externally
• Self-starter with integrity and confidence who strives to achieve even the most challenging objectives with limited supervision
• Team player with well-developed interpersonal skills that is comfortable working in a cross-functional, multi-cultural environment
• Results-oriented professional able to solve problems and implement change
• Strong communicator with the ability to convey complex issues in simple terms to all levels of the organization
• Able to make decisions based on current business needs and validate with facts.
• Able to escalate issues as it relates to supplier performance as soon as they are identified.

• Bachelor's degree in Logistics, Business, Supply Chain Management or Engineering, will consider equivalent work experience
• Experience in material planning and purchasing, preferably in the telecommunications industry
• Experience in supplier and contract negotiation is preferred, but not required
• Must have solid understanding of materials operations, materials planning and inventory control in a lean manufacturing environment
• Potential to grow into positions of increasing responsibility based on results and capabilities
• Experience with MRP Software
• Intermediate or higher user of MS Office
• Strong analytical, time management and writing skills
• Travel Requirements:  Less than 10%, international travel may be required

• Normal office environment.