Job: Purchasing Intern

Jobing Description

Description

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company is the world's leading supplier and marketer of consumer products for do-it-yourself lawn and garden care, with products for professional horticulture as well. Scotts Miracle-Gro products are No. 1 in every major category and in virtually every major market in which they compete with reported sales of $2.9 billion in 2007. In the U.S., consumer awareness of the Company's Scotts , Miracle-Gro and Ortho brands significantly outscores the nearest competitors in their categories, as does awareness of the consumer Roundup brand which is owned by Monsanto but marketed to consumers exclusively by Scotts Miracle-Gro. In Europe, Scotts' brands include Weedol, Pathclear, Evergreen, Levington , Miracle-Gro, KB, Fertiligene, Celaflor and Substral.
The Scotts Company's world headquarters is located in Marysville Ohio, which is approximately 15 miles northwest of Columbus, Ohio. The company has offices and manufacturing locations located across the North America and Europe.

Position: Student Intern, Direct Purchasing
The intern would be located on the campus of the Global Headquarters located in Marysville, Ohio.

Objective: To create and recruit a full-time internship position in the hopes of developing students for future employment opportunities. A successful candidate would provide Scotts with functional, strategic and creative value by supporting direct purchasing procurement activities. In addition, Scotts Direct Purchasing Department would be responsible for developing the skills of the Intern student(s) for potential full-time hire.

The intern would be expected to work 40 hours / week (8AM - 5PM) with a one hour unpaid lunch break.

Qualifications

Prospective intern must be majoring in a Purchasing / Supply Chain Management / Logistics or related field at an accredited institution, preferably as an undergraduate junior or senior. Candidates should possess strong written and oral communication skills to effectively interact in a business setting. Candidates with strong computer-related skills and analytic problem solving abilities are preferred. Furthermore, experience in cross-functional team settings is a plus. Finally, students must be ambitious and confident in their abilities to effectively solicit information and administer change.

Position Description and Responsibilities: The successful candidate will likely focus the majority of his or her efforts in the direct materials area of Global Purchasing. However, the student intern will also gain valuable exposure to other areas within Supply Chain and The Scotts Company, LLC.

Key areas of focus will include, but are not limited to:
Provide key tactical support for Buyers and Managers.
Gain exposure to the SAP R/3 (Enterprise Resource Planning) system to be able to support purchasing functions.
Interact with suppliers in the Request For Quotation (RFQ) process. Obtain quotes and perform cost analysis-prepare reports for Buyers.
Provide support for the development and enhancement of cost modeling tools to support strategic buying efforts.
Provide support for the annual Global Purchasing Strategic Plan.
Participate with Buyers in consortium buying groups to explore synergies that may exist with key suppliers.
Provide support for market analysis and research efforts in raw materials markets critical to The Scotts Company. Provide basis for strategic buying decisions.
Engage in Purchasing/Quality Assurance/R&D/ Manufacturing efforts to troubleshoot problems that threaten a quality product supply.
Identify, track and report synergistic opportunities that may exist between Scotts International and North American divisions. Perform global market research.
Identify, track and report opportunities to leverage inbound freight expenditures for incoming raw material and finished goods.
Other projects as assigned to or proposed by the intern.

Benefits for The Scotts Company:
Provides tactical and strategic support for Buyers and Managers
Generates quality, full-time employment with purchasing experience
Allows Buyers to develop leadership and managerial skills
Provides the department with new and fresh ideas
Gives The Scotts Company an educated candidate for future open positions
Promotes The Scotts Company at leading colleges and universities

Benefits for the Intern:
Experience and training in the daily tasks of purchasing
Enhances the development of effective written and oral communication skills
Exposure to a global purchasing organization
Provides valuable experience in leading edge procurement practices
Education on supply chain through interactions with other departments and groups
Experience and knowledge in SAP and e-procurement
Introduction to supplier negotiations
Preparation for a career in Purchasing

Scotts is an EEO Employer, dedicated to a culturally diverse, drug free work place. EOE/AA/M/F/D/V

Job
Purchasing