Operational Buyer​/Procurement Coordinator

Overview

Introduction / Summary In the role of the Operational Buyer/ Procurement Coordinator at our Sabetha, KS facility, you will play a vital part in ensuring the seamless procurement of materials and services essential to our manufacturing processes. This position offers the opportunity to directly impact operational efficiency and cost management, supporting our commitment to delivering quality products to our customers. As a key member of the procurement team, you'll utilize your negotiation skills, problem-solving ability, and stakeholder management expertise to drive continuous improvement and build strong vendor relationships.

• Deliver operational KPIs, such as claim management, purchase order execution, exception message handling, parts availability, invoice reconciliation, and buyer productivity.
• Manage relationships with suppliers for tactical, day-to-day procurement activities, ensuring clear escalation channels when necessary.
• Implement and operationalize category strategies and framework contracts, contributing feedback to global sourcing teams to refine procurement strategies.
• Achieve year-over-year cost savings and negotiate favorable terms with assigned suppliers and categories.
• Execute the complete procure-to-pay process, from sourcing to invoicing, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Collaborate with internal teams and suppliers to resolve delivery issues, payment discrepancies, and other procurement challenges.
• Ensure compliance with purchase order policies, standardize procurement procedures, and maintain procurement documentation.
• Contribute to master data accuracy and assist with MRP settings in alignment with global material management guidelines.
• Leverage analytics tools, SOPs, and capabilities provided by the Center of Excellence to optimize sourcing activities.

In this role, you will be part of our dynamic procurement and supply chain team, focused on ensuring materials and services are procured efficiently and cost-effectively. You will work closely with suppliers, manufacturing operations, and global category managers, reporting to the procurement supervisor. Your contributions will support the broader supply chain objectives, fostering collaboration across functions to meet organizational goals.

• High school diploma required; bachelor’s degree preferred.
• 2-3 years of related experience in procurement or purchasing.
• Knowledge of SAP systems is preferred; proficiency in SAP is a plus.
• Experience with Power BI or similar analytics tools is advantageous.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel.
• Strong negotiation and problem-solving skills with excellent communication abilities.
• Customer-service oriented with solid financial acumen.
• Capable of working independently, managing multiple priorities, and meeting deadlines.

• Experience in manufacturing or industrial settings.
• Familiarity with global procurement processes and frameworks.
• Ability to analyze data and leverage business intelligence tools.
• Strong stakeholder management and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of inventory management and ERP systems beyond SAP.

Coperion is an industry leader in compounding and extrusion, feeding and weighing, bulk material handling and service, bringing a wealth of know-how and experience to the market. Customers benefit from Coperion’s divisions of Polymer, Equipment & Systems, and Service that are optimally networked on a global basis to offer ultimate support in the design, manufacturing and implementation of ideal systems. Staffed by engineers, chemists, technicians and a variety of industry experts, these Divisions form a powerhouse of process solutions for their customers.

Coperion is an Operating Company of Hillenbrand.

Hillenbrand (NYSE: HI) is a global industrial company that provides highly-engineered, mission-critical processing equipment and solutions to customers in over 100 countries around the world. Our portfolio is composed of leading industrial brands that serve large, attractive end markets, including durable plastics, food, and recycling. Guided by our Purpose — Shape What Matters For Tomorrow™ — we pursue excellence,…