Plant Buyer

Requisition Number: 74691

The company built on breakthroughs.
Join us.

Corning is one of the world's leading innovators in glass, ceramic, and materials science. From the depths of the ocean to the farthest reaches of space, our technologies push the boundaries of what's possible.

How do we do this? With our people. They break through limitations and expectations - not once in a career, but every day. They help move our company, and the world, forward.

At Corning, there are endless possibilities for making an impact. You can help connect the unconnected, drive the future of automobiles, transform at-home entertainment, and ensure the delivery of lifesaving medicines. And so much more.

Come break through with us.

Our Solar business delivers industry leading, U.S.

-made solar components. We manufacture hyper-pure polysilicon, high-quality solar wafers, and innovative photovoltaic modules, leveraging our leadership in advanced manufacturing to serve growing energy demand. You will be a part of advancing critical U.S. supply chains and delivering unmatched quality and reliability to customers.

Role Purpose

The Plant Buyer is responsible for developing supplier relationships, leading sourcing and negotiation activities, and driving measurable cost savings while ensuring continuity of supply for manufacturing operations. This role combines strategic sourcing, supplier management, and transactional purchasing, working closely with Planning, Operations, Engineering, and Quality teams to optimize cost, quality, delivery performance, and supply continuity.

Key Responsibilities

• Execute strategic sourcing and tactical buying activities, including supplier selection, RFQs/RFPs, bid analysis, negotiations, purchase order placement, and follow-through through payment.
• Manage procurement of raw materials, non-production materials, and services supporting manufacturing operations.
• Negotiate and administer supplier contracts, pricing agreements, and commercial terms.
• Collaborate with Planning, Operations, Engineering, Quality, and other internal stakeholders to support material availability, new material introductions, and supplier changes.
• Identify and recommend alternate sources of supply to mitigate risk and support business continuity.
• Manage assigned supplier portfolio and spend categories, identifying opportunities for cost reduction, supplier consolidation, and commercial improvement.
• Monitor supplier performance related to quality, delivery, responsiveness, and cost; drive corrective actions as needed.
• Analyze supply risks related to capacity, lead times, and demand changes, and proactively communicate potential issues.
• Support supplier audits, quality claims coordination, and resolution of delivery or performance issues.
• Maintain accurate purchasing data, documentation, and supplier records within the ERP system.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement in sourcing processes, supplier performance, and cost management.
• Deliver annual cost reduction and cost avoidance initiatives through supplier negotiations, strategic sourcing activities, supplier consolidation, value engineering, and supplier performance improvement efforts.
• Handle daily procurement tasks such as contract signing, PO placement, delivery follow-up, goods receipt, invoice reconciliation, payment application, data archiving, etc.

Experiences/Education - Required

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, or a related field (preferred).
• Minimum 3-5 years of procurement, sourcing, supplier management, commodity management, or strategic purchasing experience with demonstrated success negotiating commercial agreements and delivering measurable cost savings.
• Demonstrated history of supplier negotiations resulting in cost reduction, cost avoidance, improved commercial terms, or supply chain risk mitigation.
• Solid understanding of procurement processes, supply continuity, and supplier management.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, plant-based environment.
• Experience working within an ERP system (SAP preferred).

Experiences/Education - Preferred

• Experience managing spend categories,…