Fabric & Flooring Buyer

Milliken & Company is a global manufacturing leader whose focus on materials science delivers tomorrow’s breakthroughs today. From industry-leading molecules to sustainable innovations, Milliken creates products that enhance people’s lives and deliver solutions for its customers and communities. Drawing on thousands of patents and a portfolio with applications across the textile, flooring, chemical and healthcare businesses, the company harnesses a shared sense of integrity and excellence to positively impact the world for generations. Discover more about Milliken’s curious minds and inspired solutions at Milliken.com and on Facebook, Instagram and  LinkedIn.

POSITION TITLE

Fabric and Flooring Buyer

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Direct Materials Buyer in the Global Sourcing team responsible for outside manufacturing and fibers in support of our Fabric and Flooring Strategic Business Units (SBUs).  Expectations are to continuously deliver value to the business via strategic sourcing, cost reduction, supplier performance management, supply market monitoring and risk management.   This position will be deeply involved in textile processing, sourcing, supplier relationship management, and close collaboration with our R&D and business leaders.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for creating and implementing the Global Sourcing Strategy for major commodities that will include nonwovens fibers and outside manufacturing needs used in the textile industry.
• Develop and implement management strategies with key suppliers to ensure the availability of materials necessary to meet the needs of specific Business Units and strive for continuous improvement from suppliers in cost, delivery, and quality.
• Ensure supply of materials to meet the needs of the Milliken internal and external manufacturing locations, including strategy for risk mitigation.
• Ensure that Milliken interactions with suppliers do not compromise primary or secondary business strategies relative to enablement of competitors
• Facilitate collaboration and drive improvements in the procurement process.
• Rapidly assess and positively resolve dynamic business conditions which may include unplanned supply disruptions.
• Owns communication flow to and from suppliers, including timely communications to necessary stakeholders in the Textile Division

QUALIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• Bachelor of Science degree: Business, Supply Chain, Textiles or Chemical Engineering
• Experience with analytical skills including using online tools
• Proficient in data analysis and presentation.

• High degree of personal accountability, results orientated with a track record of beating commitments.
• Bias for understanding business needs and the ability to establish and maintain a high level of trust and confidence with internal stakeholders
• Strong bias for continuous improvement; professionally curious and open to change.
• Strong communication skills and an ability to present to all levels of the organization and key suppliers.

QUALIFICATIONS - DESIRED

• Global purchasing experience within a manufacturing organization
• Demonstrated strategic sourcing and negotiating skills, knowledge in contract negotiations and administration of contracts
• Strong project management skills with the ability to influence and facilitate cross-functional teams involving multiple functions with competing goals
• Experience in, or working in close collaboration with, commercial product development teams
• Manufacturing plant floor, supply chain, and/or plant accounting experience
• Experience traveling internationally and working with companies in all regions of the world a plus
• Proficient in SAP (or similar ERP), Microsoft Office applications, etc. 

Milliken is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, including but not limited to lactation), sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), ancestry, national origin, citizenship, age physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran or military status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

To request a reasonable accommodation to complete a job application, pre-employment testing, a job interview, or to otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact TalentAcquisition@milliken.com.