Sr. Buyer

Company Overview

IDEAL Industries, Inc. has built a reputation for over a century by crafting iconic tools and practical technology required in aerospace, data communications, electrical, wire processing and construction. The global family of IDEAL brands includes IDEAL Electrical, Anderson Power, and Enatel.

A vibrant and dynamic company, IDEAL is best known for our wire connectors, the gold standard for making electrical connections around the world. Nearly every commercial jet is assembled using IDEAL wire strippers and, as part of the critical equipment on NASA missions, our tools even help NASA astronauts fly to the moon. Most important, our products benefit skilled tradespeople, who reach for IDEAL tools every day.

IDEAL is propelled by the concept of Building an IDEAL World. Our family‑run business is committed to building ideal relationships with customers, employees, and communities by crafting some of our industry’s most innovative and trusted tools.

The Senior Buyer is responsible for planning, purchasing, coordinating, and controlling raw materials, finished goods and supplies based on customer needs within a given value stream. In this role, one will work effectively with other groups such as manufacturing, engineering, and distribution to ensure accuracy of the part data and execution of part changes. This includes maintenance of item master parameters in the ERP system, communication of any potential supply interruptions, general management of assigned suppliers, and the achievement of raw material inventory turns and dollar‑value goals.

• Engages with sales and production management to develop plans for managing inventory levels to support customer requirements.
• Analyzes and optimizes plans by adjusting and maintaining safety stock, reorder point, lead time, and other parameters in the ERP system.
• Actively reviews material ordering and consumption patterns and adjusts based on trends.
• Transacts and manages purchase order release and fulfillment for assigned items/suppliers.
• Enhances Kanban system including pull signals, optimal material flow, material storage and stocking levels.
• Coordinates resolution of material‑related issues with the appropriate departments and/or suppliers to ensure availability of required materials.
• Works with Strategic Sourcing to improve supplier quality and delivery.
• Oversees proper inventory, including root cause of discrepancies and corrective actions to guard against inconsistencies in the future.
• Mentors and develops fellow materials team members on material flow and Plan for Every Part (PFEP) methodology.
• Provides data analysis support for cutover projects and forecasts.
• Participates in Kaizen events as required.
• Assists with daily transactional issues and problem resolution.
• Generates forecast/open order reports for suppliers.
• Creates returns to vendors and credit memos.
• Manages VMI suppliers by generating purchase orders from forecast and stocking levels.
• Disposes of requests from the quality department, notifying and working with suppliers on corrective action.
• Executes weekly reports with ETA, spike orders, and supplier discrepancies/delays corrective actions.
• Handles warehouse transfer requests to ensure materials are in the correct location.
• Works with sourcing and suppliers to ensure correct pricing for new items and creates purchase orders for each warehouse location for certain items.
• Attends weekly Gemba Walks and reports material shortages to the purchasing group.
• Coordinates capital purchase orders and indirect purchase orders.
• Executes ECN/ECR cutover strategies.
• Works with Strategic Sourcing/Product Management‑Pricing updates, discontinuations, artwork changes, and new supplier requests.
• Orders raw materials for key A and B items.
• Generates strategic reports for the team.
• Provides data collection support for supplier information.
• Maintains import compliance paperwork and packing slips.
• Meets inventory reduction and material margin goals and continuous improvement activities.
• Meets with suppliers to review expectations, delivery performance, and quality.
• Takes a proactive approach to overcome challenges and achieve results.
• Proven ability to manage…