The Requirements
In order to be a strong fit for this opportunity, you should have understanding of total supplier management including capacity analysis, quality parameters, and on time delivery. More specifically, you will need:- 5+ years of experience in buyer/planner functions. Quick question for you - click here
- A bachelor’s degree in Business Logistics, Operation Management, or QBA preferred or equivalent.
- Strong negotiation and problem solving skills.
- A results-driven attitude with the ability to think strategically and view the business from a general management standpoint. Quick question for you - click here
- Solid communications and team-building skills.
- The ability to analyze situations from a cost, policy and reputation standpoint.
- Exceptional project management skills.
The Role
As Commodity Team Manager, you will report to the Materials Manager and take ownership of managing material cost reduction, meeting inventory goals for one or more brands within the PCKAM Dental Equipment Business and management of key material commodities – often more than 100 projects in the pipeline at a time. Quick question for you - click hereYou will leverage your expertise in this area to manage everything from sourcing and material identification, to supplier engagement, evaluate criteria/ specifications, negotiation/cost reduction, project management and more.
Your goal is to build, negotiate and manage strategic partnerships in order to enhance product performance while reducing costs. To be successful, strong technical knowledge of materials and how they work together, plus deep understanding of global trade economics will be key. Quick question for you - click here
We are responsible for specific percentage year over year cost reduction and you'll pursue all means of achieving that goal such as creating a funnel of future and current price reduction activities, renegotiating prices or sourcing alternatives.
More specifically, you will:
- Evaluate, along with Engineering, Quality and Regulatory team members, new suppliers, selecting strategic partners worldwide.
- Supervise buyers.
- Understand the need for constant change, and identify emerging technologies.
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Initiate multi-year cost savings programs, recognizing how material and manufacturing costs affect total pricing. You will:
- Identify and evaluate suppliers globally, to assure quality, pricing and supply for all projects involved.
- Successfully negotiate international and domestic contracts.
- Capture and report monthly cost savings data.
- Assure all cost reduction programs are compliant with and take into account all aspects of internal and external costs.
- Weigh how global economies affect total costs; identify emerging trends and "problem" areas.
- Participate on the corporate team to drive best practices.
- Implement new product introductions initiated through the Accelerated Product Development (APD) process.
- Identify and evaluate internal and external specifications for fitness of use.
- Interact with and drive VA/VE projects.
- Develop and communicate regular supplier forecasts. Quick question for you - click here
- Travel domestically and internationally about 20%.
Why PCKAM
- Innovation as SOP -- PCKAM’s -- and its parent company, Danaher’s -- products span some of the most demanding applications in the world, delivering benefits that matter to markets that are eager for innovation.
- A proven system for success -- we have developed a highly effective system for achieving performance: the Danaher Business System (DBS), which drives every aspect of the group's culture and performance. The DBS engine drives the company through a never-ending cycle of change and improvement: exceptional people develop outstanding plans and execute them using world-class tools to construct sustainable processes, resulting in superior performance. Superior performance and high expectations attract exceptional people, who continue the cycle.
- Career development -- we take a proactive approach to developing people at all levels, including a leadership talent pool that is shared by all our businesses.
- Excellent compensation -- in addition to a competitive salary, we offer comprehensive benefits that include all you would expect plus some pleasant surprises, such as flexible spending accounts, a corporate match on the 401(k) plan, and more.
Keys to Success
The ideal candidate will be a hands-on, independent project manager who is as strategic as he or she is flexible. Technical skills, though terribly important, aren’t your only success factor. Interpersonal skills are also key. You should be able to connect with internal and external clients, have strong persuasion skills and analytical thinking capabilities, and be comfortable with cultural diversity on a global scale. You’ll be a strong professional, and while your supervisor has an open door policy, you should not only bring problems to his attention, you should come armed with solutions.About PCKAM
Pelton & Crane and KaVo North America (known collectively as PCKAM) are industry leaders in dental equipment and instrumentation, and part of the medical technologies Platform. The business is headquartered in Charlotte, NC with traditional equipment (chairs, treatment units, lights, sterilizers and cabinetry) being manufactured in Charlotte. The KaVo portion of the business is focused on distribution and repair of the KaVo products (hand pieces, laser and lab equipment) developed and manufactured in Germany.Our parent company Danaher's business activities encompass five reporting segments Environmental, Test & Measurement, Dental, Life Sciences & Diagnostics, and Industrial Technologies. Our 50,000+ associates serve customers in more than 125 countries and generated $16.1 billion of revenue in 2011.
Our Core Values:
- The best team wins.
- We are accountable for results and we deliver.
- Customers talk, we listen.
- Continuous improvement (Kaizen) is our way of life.
- We compete for shareholders.