Associate Buyer

The Associate Buyer manages the day-to-day commercial relationship between BISSELL and a portfolio of lower-complexity, lower risk finished goods suppliers and parts suppliers. This role executes purchasing activities, supports supplier performance and cost management, and coordinates cross-functionally to maintain on time delivery and healthy inventory. The Associate Buyer supports new model introductions, helps implement cost reduction initiatives, and resolves routine supplier issues while escalating more complex or higher-stakes matters.

Procurement Operations & Order Execution

• Ensure smooth, automated conversion of requisitions to POs, resolve exceptions, and drive on-time, complete supplier shipments.
• Release incremental POs in Oracle for expense items to support project timelines and supplier requirements.
• Manage direct import purchase orders with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Coordinate PO expediting and resolve discrepancies in supplier shipments, terms, and invoicing.
• Confirm supplier compliance with agreed PO terms, conditions, and BISSELL quality and delivery standards.
• Resolve routine accounts payable and receivable issues with suppliers and maintain accurate product costing in Oracle.

Production Planning & Supply Risk Management

• Align assigned suppliers to o9 released forecasts, work routine uncommitted demand, and manage day-to-day upside / downside changes while escalating significant swings.
• Monitor supply capacity against forecasts, identify constraints early, and support cross-functional mitigation plans (level loading, build-ahead, capacity) as needed.
• Coordinate with suppliers to set production schedules that balance supplier efficiency with BISSELL demand requirements.
• Support achievable delivery timelines for derivatives and promotional programs, keeping stakeholders updated on schedules and deadlines.
• Supports new item set up activities across internal systems (Windchill, Oracle, o9, etc.) and with suppliers; partners cross functionally with Marketing to help ensure all product details (e.g. matrices, colors, packaging artwork) are released on time to meet approval and production timelines. Tracks AAR / PPAP approvals, coordinates with suppliers to confirm setup completion, and maintain accurate cost data in pricing agreements.
• Surface production, quality, and logistics risks promptly so the team can act before they become blockers.
• Support product and supplier end of life execution to protect margin and close programs cleanly.
  • Execute final buys for finished goods and spare parts.
  • Help minimize obsolescence risk for raw materials, work in process, and finished goods.
  • Support final Quality Sharing settlements for supplier exits; escalating where necessary to the Manager.
  • Coordinate tooling and fixed-asset disposition.

Cost Control & Inventory Exposure Management

• Supports efforts to improve product flow and reduce total delivered cost; identify and flag drivers of excess carrying cost, storage, and freight.
• Maintain accurate, current product costing in Oracle and Master Supplier Forecast / DOMO to ensure cost records reflect negotiated pricing and are updated promptly following supplier changes or SEC implementation.
• Manage component inventory for assigned suppliers. Analyze monthly inventory reports, maintain long lead time and MOQ tracking.  Drive routine actions; support claims and recovery settlements, escalating larger negotiations.

Supplier Performance & Relationship Management

• Manage the day-to-day relationship with assigned suppliers; coordinate forecast alignment, production schedules, quality performance, and site audits. Serve as the key link between external partners and internal cross-functional teams.
• Collaborates with suppliers and internal Supply / Demand Planning Teams to drive reduction of order to ship lead time to the 45 day target, proactively identifying and resolving constraints.
• Maintain Procurement metrics for supplier performance scorecards, collect and analyze performance data, and support the Procurement portion of quarterly scorecard reviews with suppliers and internal stakeholders to drive corrective action and continuous improvement.
• Coordinate supplier site inspections for CTPAT, quality, and customer direct-ship audits and track and follow up on improvement plans.
• Participate in internal cross-functional efforts with Supply / Demand Planning, Logistics, Quality to streamline end-to-end supply chain performance, remove inefficiencies, strengthen long-term supplier partnerships, improve service, and reduce total delivered cost.
• Support Quality Sharing execution with suppliers by coordinating cross-functional inputs from Quality, Finance, and the SW team to prepare accurate quarterly data and invoices on time, and drive supplier follow-up to secure payment within 30 days of the invoice date.
• Coordinate with Supply Planning, International Logistics, Quality, Customer Service, and Finance to resolve routine supply chain issues and maintain operational continuity.

New Product Introduction & Launch Execution

• Support implementation of engineering changes (SECs) and new components with suppliers and internal teams helping to time transitions and deplete existing inventory to minimize scrap.
• Support new model phase-in and old model phase-out helping to build transition plans that minimize obsolescence, reduce excess inventory exposure, and protect supply continuity.
• Support the OTL throughout GPD project releases to coordinate a smooth handoff from development to steady-state production, help drive information flow between suppliers and internal teams to support launch readiness for assigned suppliers.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, or related field.
• Experience: 1-2 years of procurement, purchasing, or supply chain experience; international experience or exposure preferred. Internship experience considered.
• Industry: Background in consumer goods or automotive preferred.
• Travel: Occasional international travel may be required.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Ability to negotiate routine terms and support larger negotiations.
• Good communication and relationship-management skills across cross-functional and global organizations.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to work with supplier data, forecast inputs, and cost information.
• Organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Familiarity with ERP systems (Oracle preferred); willingness to build proficiency in supply chain and procurement tools.
• Actively supports global collaboration by participating in early morning and evening conference calls with Asia-based teams and suppliers to meet business needs and project timelines.
• Collaborative team member with a proactive approach to problem-solving and continuous improvement.

This position requires the ability to manage the flow of data, perform analysis, generate summary reports and communicate by voice or data while being connected in the office, at home or while travelling by laptop or mobile device regularly without regard to time zone or day of the week.