Buyer

The Buyer I is responsible for performing purchasing and administrative functions across multiple production sites to ensure sustainment of key vendor-partner relationships, optimal inventory levels and turns, timely acquisition of materials, and the lowest optimal material costs without sacrificing quality. This role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams, placing and managing purchase orders from production specifications, and administering purchasing processes to ensure compliance with company policy. The ideal candidate will have strong analytical and administrative background with the ability to manage multiple purchase orders, vendors, and site needs simultaneously. This position reports directly to the Purchasing & Planning Manager with a dashed line to the Plant Manager at the location where this position is officed out of.

Key Accountabilities:

Purchase Order Processing and Management (70%)

• Procure goods and materials based on production specifications from customer service or production.

• Ensure lowest cost solution on all goods, materials, and services procured without sacrificing quality.

• File and communication supplier lead times and sales acknowledgements with production, scheduling, and sales.

• Complete regular, proactive vendor follow-up on purchase orders scheduled for arrival in the future.

• Sustain positive relations with existing suppliers with quick escalation of issues.

• Ensure alternative suppliers and supply plans exist as risk mitigation for supply chain disruptions.

• Ensure adherence to spend-level thresholds and seek the appropriate approval to align with company policy.

• Send and administer Request for Proposal (RFP) and Request for Quote (RFQ) processes to seek competitive bids when needed or directed.

• Ensure alignment to strategic inventory programs such as Vendor-Managed Inventory (VMI), consignment, or long-term agreements (LTA) for key commodities or services.

• Provide value engineering solutions for purchased goods or components when available.

• Initiate corrective action for supplier performance or warranty claims for purchased goods.

• Offer backup support for other Buyers within company guidelines and procedures.

Materials & Cost Management (20%)

• Participate in make/buy decisions with cross-functional leaders in SIOP.

• Use MRP to determine demand for common components and materials.

• Ensure safety stock on standard components and inventory to avoid stock outs or production disruptions.

• Develop alternate uses or disposal options for obsolete and/or excess components, supplies, and materials.

• Review and monitor pricing from suppliers against historical costs and escalate variances to leadership.

Inventory Optimization (10%)

• Ensure vendor partners are aligned with and participating in safety stock requirements.

• Ensure alignment with corporate cycle counting strategies that achieve 96% or better inventory accuracy.

• Participate in physical inventory or cycle counts as directed by leadership.

Education and Certifications:

• Associate’s degree (or higher) in supply chain management, business, economics, or analytics preferred.

• APICS CSCP, APICS CPIM are a plus.

Technical Knowledge, Skills, or Experience:

Required:

• Minimum of 5 years of Supply Chain experience with a focus on purchasing, procurement, category and vendor management.

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to communicate detailed planning.

• Ability to lead through influence with other cross functional leaders.

• Advanced skillset in Microsoft office – Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint.

• Previous subject matter expertise in ERP/MRP systems.

• Experience using data to drive informed and thoughtful decision making.