SR. Buyer

About the Company:

CeramTec is a world-leading manufacturer of technical ceramics and is specialized in the development, manufacturing, and sale of parts, components, and products made from ceramic materials. With over a century of developmental and production experience, CeramTec is a global leader in the manufacture of advanced ceramics and engineers these materials for use in a wide variety of applications. Advanced ceramics from CeramTec are used in a range of industries, including in medical engineering, the automotive industry, electronics, energy and environmental engineering, as well as in equipment and mechanical engineering. The current portfolio comprises well over 10,000 products, components, and parts made from technical ceramics, along with a wide variety of ceramic materials.

With production sites and subsidiaries in Europe, America, and Asia, CeramTec is present around the globe as a manufacturer and supplier. The company is headquartered in Plochingen, near Stuttgart.

Key Responsibilities:

• Procurement: Identify and source suppliers of materials, goods, or services, ensuring the best combination of price, quality and delivery.
• Negotiation: Negotiate contracts, prices, and terms with suppliers, ensuring cost-effective purchasing while maintaining high standards.
• Inventory Management: Monitor stock levels and reorder products to ensure availability without excess inventory.
• Quality Control: Evaluate products for quality assurance, ensuring they meet company standards and specifications.
• Supplier Relationship Management: Maintain strong relationships with suppliers to secure favorable terms, resolve issues and maintain reliable supply chains.
• Purchase Orders: Create, review, and manage purchase orders (POs), ensuring accurate documentation and timely deliveries.
• Cost Management: Identify opportunities to reduce costs and optimize procurement processes without compromising quality.
• Collaboration: Work closely with other departments (e.g., operations, finance, customer service) to understand needs and priorities and ensure seamless coordination.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives by identifying process inefficiencies and recommending solutions.
• Communicate effectively with internal departments to ensure alignment on priorities and deadlines.

Prerequisite Knowledge:

• 4 year degree in business is preferred.
• Proficiency in SAP and with personal computers and software (i.e. Excel, Word).
• Experience as a Buyer or similar role in a manufacturing environment.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communicator and interpersonal abilities
• Strong organizational and time-management abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and functions, prioritize, and meet multiple deadlines.
• Understanding of engineering drawings.
• Possess skills in change management and pro-active problem solving.
• Possess strong written, verbal, interpersonal, negotiation and communication skills.
• High energy/self-starter.