**ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS**: - Maintain daily interaction with supply base to insure the use of current information regarding open PO’s, current lead times, pricing, etc. - Minimizes risk to the company and customers by utilizing data-based business analysis to select suppliers / manufacturers when purchasing materials for production and NPI. - Responsible for creating/executing PO’s according to the MRP Planned Orders and Requisition procedure, with competitive pricing that maintains company’s profitability and success. - Identifies / develops new suppliers to improve supply chain (pricing, delivery, etc). - Approves invoices for payment within department procedural guidelines. - Expedites delivery of goods to users when needed and uses alternate suppliers or sources if necessary. - Works with supply chain management to establish goals for cost savings and executes plans to achieve them. - Utilizes MRP action messages on a weekly basis to place new orders and/or re...