Lead MRO Buyer

Title: Lead MRO Buyer

Location: Chattanooga, TN

Responsibilities :

1.0 Main Mission

• Supports operations by delivering value through suppliers (cost, on-time delivery, quality) and contributing to plant performance
• Identifies market opportunities (economic, technological, geographical) to meet plant needs
• Manages the supply base proactively, considering all performance criteria
• Develops and implements cost reduction programs (price reductions, cost optimizations) and benchmarks costs across POAE plants
• Manages various commodities with a strong understanding of cost drivers and technical processes
• Leads the RFQ process and recommends sourcing decisions in line with deontology rules and QCD objectives
• Oversees the “order-to-pay” process, ensuring compliance with spend authorization rules and contract conditions through to supplier payment
• Manages supplier crises as needed
• Tracks and delivers MRO KPIs (savings, quality issues, supplier base, right-first-time invoicing, compliant sourcing)

2.0 Main Activities

• Ensures all activities follow POAE governance rules, purchasing policy, and defined processes
• Owns and manages the plant supply base; conducts annual vendor evaluations
• Supports supplier risk management in collaboration with Finance (financial health, penetration rate, etc.)
• Benchmarks MRO costs and purchasing conditions across POAE plants to identify improvement opportunities
• Drives synergies with other buyers to leverage volumes and optimize costs
• Manages supplier relationships and resolves issues in line with purchasing policies
• Tracks and reports MRO performance through KPIs; commits to and reports monthly savings
• Leads supplier negotiations ensuring fair competition (minimum three suppliers when possible) and optimal technical and cost solutions
• Manages purchasing request flow and executes RFQ processes
• Prepares and presents sourcing recommendations for approval
• Oversees ordering process in compliance with legal and company requirements
• Manages local contracts and deploys global agreements from lead buyers
• Optimizes order-to-pay processes, especially for recurring purchases
• Tracks supplier execution until full delivery and payment
• Promotes technical savings proposed by suppliers
• Leads or contributes to internal working groups focused on cost savings and problem-solving

3.0 Lead Buying Activities

• Defines purchasing strategies for assigned commodities, identifying key drivers and opportunities
• Coordinates the MRO buyer network for assigned commodity scope
• Develops and maintains commodity databases
• Defines and manages the supply base and supplier relationships
• Leads RFQ processes and proposes sourcing decisions to stakeholders
• Delivers and commits to savings targets within scope
• Negotiates contracts aligned with POAE objectives (cost, quality, delivery, flexibility)

4.0 KPIs and Main Deliverables

• MRO KPIs including:
  • Commodity productivity (cost savings)
  • Quality issues
  • Number of suppliers
  • Right-first-time invoicing
  • Sourcing compliance

5.0 Coordination Activities

• Coordinates with buyers to share feedback, business knowledge, and best practices
• Supports and drives team performance in line with objectives
• Assesses team members on skills and performance
• Participates in recruitment and annual performance evaluations
• Ensures proper use of POAE systems, policies, and processes
• Consolidates and reports team performance to Plant Director and BU/Operations MRO Manager

Profile :

• Technical or business background with specialization in purchasing
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in purchasing within an industrial and international environment
• Knowledge of relevant markets
• Strong understanding of purchasing processes