Job Details

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 $1.5B in revenue, and employ approximately 7,000 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 Purchasing Supervisor position is responsible for providing tactical direction to the purchasing team regarding raw materials and finished goods purchasing in support of the manufacturing and distribution organizations, processing purchases orders and managing the supplier base.

Responsibilities:

• Provide guidance to a team of buyers on the execution of the planning and procurement of raw materials and finished goods to support production and distribution requirements
• Work with the Supply Chain Manager to optimize process (planning, purchasing, inventory management, supplier communication, etc.) and deliver assigned supply chain objectives in support of annual BU plan
• Provide successful onboarding experience of new Supply Chain team-members and introduce new AFL members to the Purchasing facet of the Supply Chain function
• Actively offer input on opportunities for efficiency improvements and/or development of the AFL's Materials Requirements Planning System and other planning tools as required

• Support training on the proper creation and maintenance of requisitions, purchase orders, acknowledgements, expediting materials where necessary and resolution of invoice issues
• Support training on supplier communication and negotiations, setting up meeting conference rooms, preparing meeting minutes, etc.
• Support the Purchasing team, escalate challenges as necessary to improve delivery, quality and service of suppliers.
• Guide Buyers to obtain and develop forecasts to suppliers and/or Pursue inventory and cost reduction initiatives based on volume purchases
• Adhere to and promote the environmental, health & safety policies of AFL
• Develop, train, and coach the employees in a professional and ethical manner including providing input for annual review process.

Personal Qualities:

• Exceptionally strong organizational skills
• Self-starter able to focus on tasks at hand and prioritize accordingly to deliver consistent results
• Proven leadership - good leadership skills developed through work experience
• Interpersonal skills - a team player that is comfortable leading in a cross-functional, multi-cultural environment; strong written and verbal communicator with the ability to convey complex issues in simple terms to all levels of the organization; able to maintain professionalism under pressure
• Analytical and results-oriented professional able to solve problems and implement change
• Strong time management skills; ability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Logistics, Business, Supply Chain Management or Engineering, will consider equivalent work experience
• Minimum 2 years' experience managing a purchasing team
• 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
• User of MRP software module, preferably within a Tier 1 software (Oracle, SAP)
• Intermediate or higher user of MS Office
• Strong analytical, time management and writing skills
• Travel Requirements: Less than 20%, international travel may be required

Working Conditions

• Normal office environment.

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Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)