The Senior Buyer is responsible for executing procurement activities that support GMP biopharmaceutical manufacturing operations. This role ensures the timely and cost-effective purchase of raw materials, consumables, production supplies, laboratory materials, and indirect goods required to meet manufacturing schedules and business objectives.
The Senior Buyer collaborates closely with Supply Chain Planning, Manufacturing, Warehouse, Quality, Finance, and external suppliers to manage purchase orders, monitor deliveries, mitigate supply risks, resolve procurement issues, and maintain accurate purchasing records in compliance with company policies and GMP requirements.
Purchasing Operations
- Create, process, and manage purchase orders for direct materials, indirect materials, and Kanban inventory.
- Monitor open purchase orders and proactively follow up with suppliers to ensure on-time delivery.
- Verify order acknowledgments, delivery schedules, and shipment status.
- Expedite critical materials to support production requirements and manufacturing schedules.
- Coordinate with internal stakeholders to align purchasing activities with material demand and business needs.
- Maintain accurate procurement and supplier data within the ERP system.
- Resolve purchasing issues related to order quantities, delivery dates, shipping discrepancies, and invoice discrepancies.
- Manage the procure-to-pay process, ensuring timely resolution of invoicing and payment issues.
Inventory and Material Availability
- Partner with Supply Chain Planning and Warehouse teams to maintain material availability and inventory continuity.
- Monitor inventory levels and identify potential shortages, excess inventory, and supply risks.
- Support inventory management activities through demand review and replenishment planning.
- Manage backorders and allocation situations to minimize operational impact.
- Communicate material constraints, supply risks, and delivery delays to key stakeholders in a timely manner.
Supplier Management
- Serve as the primary point of contact for day-to-day supplier communications related to purchase orders, deliveries, and material availability.
- Monitor supplier performance against delivery commitments and service expectations.
- Coordinate resolution of supply disruptions, shipment discrepancies, and other procurement-related issues.
- Maintain accurate supplier records and procurement documentation.
GMP Compliance and Documentation
- Ensure procurement records are complete, accurate, and maintained in accordance with GMP requirements and company procedures.
- Support internal audits, external audits, and regulatory inspections by providing procurement documentation as required.
- Adhere to established procurement, quality, compliance, and data integrity procedures.
- Participate in change control, material qualification, and supplier management activities as applicable.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with Manufacturing, Supply Chain Planning, Warehouse, Quality Assurance, Quality Control, and Finance teams to support operational objectives.
- Ensure material readiness for production campaigns and manufacturing schedules.
- Provide regular updates on material status, delivery timelines, supply risks, and mitigation plans.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field.
- 5+ years of purchasing, procurement, or supply chain experience in a GMP-regulated pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or life sciences environment.
- Experience utilizing ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, JDE, or similar) for procurement and inventory management.
- Strong understanding of GMP requirements and supply chain processes supporting manufacturing operations.
- Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
The anticipated salary range for this position in Maryland is $87,450 to $116,600, plus annual bonus eligibility where applicable. Final compensation will be based on several factors, including relevant experience, education, specialized skills, internal equity, and business needs.
Benefits
- 13 Paid Holidays
- Paid Vacation Time
- 401(k) with Company Match
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage Effective on Day One of Employment
- Company-Paid Life Insurance and Disability Coverage (if applicable)
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)