Connecting and Protecting People, Microwave Products Group (MPG) is a leading global provider of mission-critical engineered electronic components and subsystems comprised of five business units in six manufacturing locations. Our brand names are recognized globally including: BSC Filters, York, UK; Dow-Key Microwave, Ventura, CA; Pole/Zero, West Chester, OH; Espy, Austin, TX; and K&L Microwave, Salisbury, Maryland and Dominican Republic. Our expertise is the design and manufacture of communications-based specialty products - engineered components and subsystems - for demanding military, space, commercial aerospace/industrial, and telecom infrastructure applications where function and reliability are crucial. Why work for us? The backbone behind our collection of outstanding businesses is a team of dedicated employees who protect and enhance our valued reputation for quality and delivering what we promise. It's our values that defines us to all of our key audiences: our shareholders, customers, prospective employees and especially ourselves. Summary: As a Senior Buyer at Microwave Products Group - Pole/Zero Corporation in West Chester, OH, you will be responsible for developing, implementing, and managing assigned Dover and Pole/Zero purchasing category strategies. These strategies must reduce the total cost of materials and services, reduce overall supply base risk, and support supply base performance improvements. Primary Responsibilities: Prepares bid packages, conducts bidder conferences, analyzes and evaluates proposals, negotiates terms and conditions, selects or recommends suppliers, writes awards, administers resulting subcontracts, and expedites orders when necessary Confers with suppliers and analyzes supplier operations to determine factors that affect prices and determine the lowest cost consistent with quality, reliability, and ability to meet required schedules Participates in developing negotiation strategy and skillfully utilizes techniques to achieve negotiation targets Works with various functions within the company to select suppliers and establish alternative sources of supply Administers and manages supplier contracts to ensure compliance externally and internally Monitors and adjusts purchase orders to maximize quality and service level while minimizing inventory Keeps abreast of market trends, changes in business practices in the assigned commodity, and new or altered types of materials Tracks cost savings, cost avoidances, and cost increases Assist in the transition of new products from product development to the manufacturing process by working with program management Participates in selection of suppliers who have the ability to meet delivery, quality, and cost requirements; integrating suppliers early in the design process; and eliminating barriers with suppliers that would negatively affect the manufacture of the end product Must respond to daily ERP message notifications to ensure continuity of part supply Reacts to daily shortages, ERP reschedules, and adjusts purchase orders accordingly Assures balance of supply and demand to meet customer's expectations Generates purchase orders (discrete, consignment, blanket) through the ERP system Manages system attributes to ensure data integrity Processes RMAs on a daily basis Complies with all quality policies while continuously identifying opportunities for improvement Resolves delivery and/or quality issues through problem solving and supplier performance improvements Identifies and eliminates non value-added steps using lean methodology Promotes continuous improvement culture by identifying opportunities for improvement and applies proven tools in implementing sustainable fixes Knowledge, skills and abilities strongly preferred include: Ability to lead teams and positively influence peers and other cross-functional teams Energetic a