My job as an operational buyer is to ensure a smooth production process. This includes the timely procurement of raw materials, auxiliaries and operating materials. In order for us to manufacture in the best quality, it must be ensured that the quality of these procured raw materials, auxiliaries and operating materials is free of defects. If quality problems arise here, I am responsible for returning the goods to the supplier. The procurement process also includes checking requirements, ordering components on time, maintaining order confirmations and tracking delivery dates. In addition, as an operational buyer, I am responsible for prices and price negotiations. Thus, I also take care of invoice discrepancies or emerging problems with delivery and payment terms.

.

Could you briefly explain the interface to strategic procurement at Baumer?

As an operational buyer, I am responsible for the day-to-day procurement tasks (needs assessment, order processing, deadline and delivery tracking, returns and complaints, master data maintenance), while strategic purchasing takes care of long-term planning (long-term optimization of procurement processes, contract negotiations and conclusions, selection of new suppliers, management of warehousing, price developments, etc.). The communication between the strategic and operational buyers takes place on a daily basis, so I am always up to date as an operational buyer.

.

Why did you choose Baumer back then?

I came from a different industrial company and at first had no idea at all about the new industry and the new area of responsibility. I was convinced by the positive first impression as well as the warm welcome.

.

What do you like most about your work?

What I like best is that it's always very varied. If you tell people that you work in operational purchasing, you often get the feedback «that would be too boring for me», but that's not the case at all! I can always express my opinions, suggestions and wishes and am also involved in various decisions. In addition, we get along very well as a team and it's just fun to come to work.

.

When you think back to your time at Baumer – what moment do you remember in particular?

I don't think it's a particular «special» moment, but rather a «special» process, as you develop more and more sensitivity for your tasks and the industry over time. In the long run, the many aha-waits are my favorite.

• looking back on the countless procurement crises and the poor availability of components during the Covid period, for which I found solutions that benefited our customers
• the expertise I have achieved through this
• the training of two new colleagues in operational procurement
• taking over the planning for our apprentices for their training period in operational purchasing

In order to always be up to date with customer needs, Franziska regularly exchanges information with her colleagues from the disposition team. In this way, she knows what is needed to ensure smooth production.

At the daily shop floor meeting, Franziska picks up her colleagues about unconfirmed orders and open deliveries as well as complaints. In this way, challenges can be identified at an early stage.

Together with her colleague, Franziska checks the prices of a current order. If there are deviations here, this has an impact on the manufacturing costs and the storage value. It must therefore always be ensured that the orders are running correctly.

In order to achieve the best possible results, Franziska exchanges information with her suppliers on a daily basis.