Buyer

Who Are We?

Have you ever gone into a grocery store or convenience store for things like milk, bagged salads, or frozen pizza? The coolers and freezers you find those and other food products in are what we do!! Zero Zone is a manufacturer of reach-in and open refrigerated and frozen food display cases as well as the refrigeration systems that work behind the scenes to cool the cases, keeping the food fresh! We also make powerful industrial refrigeration systems for food warehousing, pharmaceuticals, and even ice rinks!

Our company is structured across 2 divisions – the Display Case Division, located in North Prairie, WI, Waukesha, WI, and Mukwonago, WI and the Refrigeration Systems Division, located in Ramsey, MN and Dyersville, IA.

What Are We Like?

At Zero Zone, you will be a valued member of the Zero Zone team, able to take ownership of your own career path. We believe in hard work, teamwork, collaboration, and respect, and we have grown through dedication to our Purpose: “Preserving customer valuables through refrigeration.” For over 60 years, we have been a leader in refrigeration, and our people are well known for exceptional customer service. We also believe we are the COOLEST coworkers (pun intended)! This is an opportunity for you to make a difference in the refrigeration industry with one of the top leading manufacturers in the country! Come grow with us!!

What Can We Offer You?

• Vacation and Personal Hours (after only 30 days!)
• Competitive Wages
• Comprehensive Benefits Package (medical, dental, vision, life insurance, STD, LTD, AD&D, HSA/FSA, EAP)
• 401k and Profit Sharing
• 10 Paid Holidays
• Flexible Schedules
• Casual Dress Code
• Wellness Programs and Incentives
• Employee Engagement Programs
• One-time Home Computer Reimbursement
• And more!

What Will You Do?

Under the direction of the Supply Chain Manager, the Buyer will oversee purchasing functions to acquire parts, raw materials, equipment and supplies for the company. This person is a detail-oriented, hands-on, results-driven individual with strong communication skills. In addition, the Buyer will also conduct negotiating on products, contracts and services, as well as prepare bid specifications, receive bids and participate in the selection of vendor sources.

NOTE: This position does not qualify for visa sponsorship.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage inventory exposure by assessing risk and procure materials supporting manufacturing operations.
• Responsible for the timely review of order confirmations from vendors, update correct lead times in the system, and relay price corrections to the purchasing team.
• Understanding and knowledge of electrical components.
• Effectively manage supplier performance to meet delivery and quality objectives.
• Actively manage aging on-hand inventory.
• Sustain and develop key supplier relationships creating long term strategic partnerships.
• Implement and support continuous improvement initiatives reducing waste and creating capacity.
• Negotiate total material cost supporting gross margin goals, inventory levels, and inventory turns.
• Partner and participate with cross functional teams supporting new product development projects.
• Utilize MRP plan and procure materials ensuring customer order fulfillment requirements.
• Work closely with engineering to source and procure high dollar and long lead time complex components.
• Other duties assigned.

What Are We Looking For?

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required of you in this position:

• Associate degree in supply chain, business, operations, or related disciplines is required.
• 1+ years of relevant experience in a manufacturing environment as well as knowledge of components in manufacturing and common manufacturing procedures is desired.
• Knowledge and experience with ERP systems is preferred.
• CPM and/or APICS certification desired.
• Work independently while understanding the necessity for communicating and coordinating work efforts with other employees and organizations.
• Must be self-motivated, organized, and have the ability to handle numerous parallel tasks and projects.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

PHYSICAL & BEHAVIORAL: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions:

• Regularly required to use hands to handle or touch, object tools, or controls.
• Frequently is required to stand, walk, or sit, talk and hear.
• Occasionally required to reach above shoulders, climb, crouch, stoop, or kneel.
• Frequently lift and/or move up to 20 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds usually from floor to waist level, up to 20 feet away.
• Zero Zone expects all employees to behave and communicate in a manner which will facilitate good relations with customers, clients, co-workers and supervisors: maintaining a positive work atmosphere.