Sr Planner/Buyer I

Job description

Job Description

Building on its heritage of more than 65 years, Alcon, the global leader in eye care, is the second largest division of the Novartis Group with combined pro-forma sales of more than USD 10 billion in 2013. The division was formed by Novartis on April 8, 2011, following the closing of the merger between Alcon and Novartis. The new Alcon Division combines the product portfolios, commercialization capabilities, R&D and talent of Alcon, CIBA VISION and Novartis Ophthalmics. Today, Alcon has more than 24,000 employees with headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.A. Alcon’s three businesses - Surgical, Pharmaceutical and Vision Care - meet the diverse needs of eye care professionals and patients offering the widest spectrum of eye care products with operations in 75 countries and products available in 180 markets. For more information, visit www.alcon.com.

The Manufacturing Technical Operations division residing in Irvine, CA and Lake Forest, CA specializes in Surgical Instrumentation. Alcon offers the industry’s most complete line of ophthalmic surgical products, enabling surgeons to achieve the best results for their patients. Our surgical portfolio includes technologies and devices for cataract, retinal, glaucoma and refractive surgery, as well as advanced technology intraocular lenses (ATIOLs) to treat cataracts and refractive errors, like presbyopia and astigmatism. We also provide advanced viscoelastics, surgical solutions, surgical packs, and other disposable products for cataract and vitreoretinal surgery.

Alcon is currently seeking a Sr Buyer/Planner for the MTO division residing at the Irvine facility. The Sr. Planner/ Buyer manages materials and/or services to support the company's purchasing programs. The Sr. Planner/ Buyer is responsible for procurement functions directly associated with the company's needs for production materials, indirect, tooling, and services. These products and services are to be secured at cost quality and at delivery competitive levels consistent with company policy and performance standards. The position is further responsible for the timely planning and scheduling of receipt and inventory control of the products and services as assigned consistent with ERP software requirements or as appropriately concluded with a requisitioner. The Sr. Planner/Buyer has supervisory responsibility for the Planner/Buyer.

Essential Functions include but are not limited to:
• Initiates purchase orders and amendments for parts, services and/or special tools; arranges for submission and inspection of sample products as required; maintains close coordination with plant engineering to ensure timely execution of product, services, and sourcing activities.
• Utilize MRP planning tools to anticipate issues and implement preemptive solutions. Monitor MRP systems to assure proper lead time, minimum orders, lot sizes, and etc.
• Secures and analyzes quotations, negotiates prices and terms with suppliers, and recommends suppliers with respect to cost, quality and delivery competitiveness for assigned responsibilities.
• Studies market prices and trends, engineering developments, and manufacturing method improvements applicable to assigned responsibilities; advises company activities to the Inventory Control and Planning Manager.
• Interviews and confers with current and prospective suppliers to determine supply capabilities, transportation logistics inventory control and management; negotiates prices and delivery terms.
• Coordinates the planning of recent schedules and inventory control parameters for the assigned products and services consistent with ERP requirements or as arranged with requisitioners.
• Coordinates as appropriate quality matters and engineering changes/developments between company activities and suppliers.
• Visits suppliers’ facilities to understand them as new sources and assists in the resolution of production, design, quality and/or delivery problems.
• Supervisory responsibilities for assigned Planner/Buyer. Provide support and guidance on a day to day basis and responsible for quality of work
• Performs analytics as required for inventory management and inventory right sizing to ensure inventory levels are managed and maintained to the established annual metrics
• Opens work orders, maintains work orders within the established guidelines of the organization and supports finance with the research and resolution of job variances
• Responsible for timely review of grief shelf, notification of hot requests (prior to arrival), understanding of material movement through warehouse processes including but not limited to location to location transfers, stock transfers, job pulls, auto-kanban, fast moving, WKRP, unplanned withdrawal/unplanned receipts, EOD (export on Demand), returns, SSC Dock, and cycle count internal and off-site warehouse management
• Responsible to write queries and performs analytics as required for inventory management and inventory right sizing to ensure inventory levels are managed and maintained to the established annual metrics.
• Opens work orders, maintains work orders within the established guidelines of the organization and supports finance with the research and resolution of job variances

EEO Statement

The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers and take pride in maintaining a diverse environment. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or any other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

Desired profile

Minimum requirements

Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent years of directly related experience in Material Planning function and Inventory Management, New Product Introduction and Engineering Order Management, MRP database management
• Minimum of 3 - 5 years of Manufacturing experience required
• Strong working knowledge of electronic components

Qualifications strongly desired:
• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Working knowledge of JDE and SAP is desired
• Experienced with International Suppliers
• Strong background with sourcing electronic components
• Ability to work well with other both inside and outside the company
• Solid interpersonal communication skills to include verbal and written, active listening, critical thinking, persuasiveness, advising and counseling skills
• Ability to lead change and innovation
• Solid skills to quickly evaluate complex issues and identify resolution
• Demonstrated skills in employee supervision and HR administration. Interpersonal skills to effectively motivate others

Travel is primarily local during the business day, although some out-of-area and overnight travel may be expected. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Our generous benefits package includes the Novartis Investment Savings 401(k) Plan which provides a company contribution of up to 6%. In addition, after one year of service, employees are eligible for the Alcon Retirement Plan (ARP), to which Alcon contributes 6% of eligible pay. By combining the Company's contributions to the 401(k) and ARP, employees can receive up to 12% of eligible pay from Alcon towards retirement. Alcon also offers a premier level of coverage for medical, dental, vision, life and disability coverage, an on-site fitness center and much more. Consider having all this in a fast paced environment within a stable world-class organization.