Arbitron Inc. is a media and marketing research firm serving radio broadcasters, cable companies, advertisers, advertising agencies and outdoor advertising companies. Arbitron’s core businesses are measuring network and local market radio audiences across the United States; surveying the retail, media and product patterns of local market consumers; and providing application software used for analyzing media audience and marketing information data. The Company has developed the Portable People Meter, a new technology for media and marketing research. Through our Scarborough Research joint venture, Arbitron also provides additional media and marketing research services to the broadcast television, newspaper, out-of-home and online industries. We are looking for a Buyer-Planner 2, to join our Integrated Supply Chain team in our Columbia, MD office. GENERAL JOB FUNCTION The Arbitron Buyer/Planner facilitates an effective materials procurement process through work with vendor team leads and program teams to sustain delivery of products, assembly processes, and outsourced services to meet business requirements. Driving cost and time effective delivery of quality components through key vendor relationships is critical. RESPONSIBILITIES • Consistently and effectively source materials to demand plans; • Demonstrate procurement work performance through criteria related to quality, availability, and cost of materials necessary to meet business requirements; • Negotiation, and support of vendor contracts, service level agreements, and performance measurement programs related to materials/assembly acquisition; • Develop business relationships with suppliers that enable long term optimized support of company requirements to reduce cost and improve service; • Provide direct input and utilization of respective data in ERP system, to drive the appropriate system knowledge, procurement work performance results, and meet planning demands of the business; • Provide detailed data, information, and reports related to plans / results of procurement activities. QUALIFICATIONS • Education: BSBM, BAB, BSIE or comparable degree, with 5+ years of experience in computer and/or electronic product procurement with general contract sourcing practices (Domestic & International); • Demonstrated in-depth knowledge and working experience of printed circuit board, and electronic mechanical assembly procurement processes, with experience related to electronic equipment development, bill-of-materials, approved vendor/supplier list, and new product introduction; • Must possess demonstrated work experience to work with outsourced manufacturing suppliers and procurement teams to drive problem resolution, ECO implementation, quality processes, and effective source cost analysis; • Demonstrated sourcing work experience in both domestic and international supplier based required; • Must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, with associated procurement based technical knowledge; • Must be well organized and able to handle multiple assemblies in various stages of development; • Strong personal computer application usage skills are required (Microsoft Office and related applications); • Must be able to work in an environment of short notice changes, and tolerate/work with interruptions; • Direct experience with electronic products and outsourced contract manufacturing strongly desired; • Direct experience with PeopleSoft, Oracle 11i, or other contemporary ERP Business System planning, procurement, and general business transaction experience strongly desired; • Lean-6 sigma project and process experience desired; APICS / ISM certifications a plus. We offer a comprehensive employment package, including competitive compensation, excellent health care plans, 401K matching, tuition assistance, stock purchase, skill development, flexible work environment and more. Immigration Sponsorship will not be available for this position. Send your resume to: opsjobs@arbitron.com or Fax: 410-312-8607 Arbitron Inc., Attn: OE Recruiter, 9705 Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia, MD. 21046 Visit us at www.arbitron.com!! Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V Location: Columbia Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster. Phone calls about this job are ok. Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests. dc