Buyer

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Knowledge Learning Corporation (KLC) operates high-quality early childhood and school-age care and education centers nationwide. Among the KLC family of schools are: Children's World, KinderCare Learning Centers, Mulberry Child Care & Preschool and Knowledge Beginnings. We are proud to provide a value-added service to families nationwide and encourage community support for children and their families throughout the nearly 2,000 community centers, 650 before-and after-school programs, and 130 employer-sponsored centers located in 38 states and the District of Columbia.

Buyer

With limited supervision and an emphasis on customer service, the Buyer will purchase materials, products, equipment and supplies, and ensure that the needs of the end user are being met at the lowest total cost. The Buyer will be responsible for resolving vendor-related problems with regard to specifications, timing, quality, quantity and delivery of vendor products and establish and maintain mutually beneficial supplier relationships based on sound professional practices. This position will also work with accounts payable to support resolution of pricing, purchase order and invoice discrepancies and to ensure payables cycle meets contractual agreements. Position may plan capacity requirements and coordinate production of shipments with business forecasts, and take an active role in the implementation and support of electronic commerce initiatives. In addition to working with various corporate departments and committees to define requirements, the Buyer will monitor vendor performance and compliance with the Master Purchase and/or Service Agreement.

Essential Functions:

- Evaluate product quality and total cost.
Support cross-functional product development.
Execute processes to purchase, receive, inspect and pay for material and services on a timely basis and conforming to sound financial control practices.
Partner with management during vendor visits to determine if the source is capable of filling present or future needs.
Establish and maintain positive relationships with customers (both corporate departments and field staff) to achieve effective and efficient purchasing operations.
Create, negotiate and manage vendor agreements.
Provide necessary information to maintain database integrity for items purchased, to include serial numbers, pricing, descriptions of applications (as needed), etc.
Negotiate with supplier for warranty replacement.
Prepare reports, as required, indicating critical shortages, delivery delays, inventory summary data, etc.
Maintain awareness of market conditions concerning possible shortages, extended lead times, possible price increases, end of life cycles, increase in freight rates, etc.
Resolve supplier performance and supply chain issues.
Manage supplier agreements.
Ensure all procurement policies and processes are followed.
Identify alternate sourcing opportunities as needed.

Experience and Education:

- Minimum 3 years experience in the purchasing field, or experience in a Buyer position, having knowledge of vendor management in a large corporate IT Procurement environment.
High school diploma required; college degree preferred.
Demonstrated proficiency with client/server enterprise software, and practical knowledge of PC-based software to include MS Office Suite.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

- Ability to work well in environments that have changing priorities where short deadlines are often the norm.
Financial skills are desired.
Ability to analyze electronic data to produce supporting documentation for business decisions.
Outstanding interpersonal/cross-functional skills.
High adaptability.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package, childcare discount and more! To apply for this position, please click the Apply Now button. To see a list of all of our current openings, please visit our website at http://knowledgelearning.careers.monster.com. Knowledge Learning Corporation is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.
REQUIREMENTS
Please see Job Description