The Senior Buyer is involved from the planning/initiation phase of projects until close-out of all purchasing packages and relates to the acquisition of materials and equipment in support of engineering and construction management. Purchasing interfaces primarily with Engineering and aligns its activities with Expediting, Vendor Quality Surveillance, Logistics, Site Materials Control, Project Controls and Construction.
The Senior Buyer is experienced in the discipline of materials/equipment acquisition including the purchase of tagged, bulk and engineered materials for projects and carries out the "Formation and Award" as well as "Administration and close-out" work processes of all purchase orders (local and international) in accordance with the project requirements. The Senior Buyer is the owner of the purchasing process from the planning/initiation stage to close-out.
Key Responsbilities:
Responsible for implementing purchasing procedures and templates/documents to be used on the project
Responsible for managing the purchasing team towards the following objectives and deliverables:
Performs purchasing activities:
Preparation of Bidder's List for approval
Liaison with Package Coordinator and other project disciplines to obtain and verify Technical bid documents to ensure that specification are compatible commercial documentation to form a cohesive Bid document
Preparation of Bid documents, advise on contractual terms and conditions and issuing of Invitation to Bid to the approved Bidders
Manage the bidding process including technical queries from Bidders and issuance of addenda
Prepares and issue purchase orders
Liaises or participates in discussion with the Client to establish General terms and condition suitable for the project
Facilitate Purchase order kick off meetings and handover to expediting
Ensure proper control and methodology of contractual change notice to Purchase Order
Revision, claims and/or backcharges in accordance with appropriate terms and conditions
Ensures proper process of Progress Payment validation process in support to Accounting for payment approval
Manages bonds/guarantees
Ensures that all purchase orders are closed out in accordance with project specific procedures/requirements
Performs award and administration of purchase orders in accordance with applicable legislation relating to corporation, taxation, custom duties and importation laws
General Managerial duties
Provide supervision, training and assistance of team members
Allocates assignments (packages) and tasks to purchasing agents and purchasing administrators
Where mandated, participates in Package kick-off meetings (e.g. for major and/or critical equipment packages)
Conducts regular team meetings to discuss status quo and any issues within the group
Provides individual support to purchasing agents to resolve major problematic issues (performance, cost, etc.) arising from the vendor's end
Liaises with procurement manager to discuss performance appraisals/issues
Provides updates and reporting to Project Procurement Manager/Materials Manager on procurement performance metrics such as cost, negotiated savings, low cost country sourcing and schedule
Facilitates communication within project
Assists the procurement Manager/Materials Manager with resource planning, specifically with regards to staffing purchasing personnel
Conducts meetings with project team to ensure awards are made in time, when needed.
Qualifications and Experience
Essential
Extensive experience in an EPCM project environment on capital projects, specifically purchasing of project material (tagged, engineered and bulk)
Procurement related training as well as general supervisory and management related training
Experience and contractual knowledge base with regards to the drafting of commercial terms and conditions
Highly proficient negotiation skills
Experience with applicable legislation relating to corporation, taxation, custom duties and importation laws
Excellent knowledge and experience with Incoterms as well as practical knowledge of freight forwarding and clearance requirements and processes and appropriate legislation
Experience with an excellent understanding of purchasing/contracting strategies - drafting and execution thereafter
Knowledge and experience with material expediting, vendor quality surveillance, logistics and site material control
Proven managerial skills. Excellent understanding of procurement processes and corporate governance principles Experience with materials management and related activities
Preferred:
Appropriate tertiary qualification
International project experience is an asset
Has a firm grasp on both current and historic market intelligence with regards to relevant equipment/materials and commodities.