Buyer, Supply Chain​/Logistics

Position Summary

This is an individual‑contributor role responsible for procurement of assigned items, planning, coordinating, and reviewing activities related to an assigned divisional commodity, and managing inventory to satisfy customer requirements. The Buyer will commit funds, make strategic business decisions, operate as a liaison between the business and procurement, and maintain inventory levels of raw materials. The position is performed with minimal direct supervision and includes generating quotations, expediting and placing purchase orders according to existing strategy and previously negotiated prices, and sourcing potential new suppliers.

• Generate quotations, expedite and place purchase orders in accordance with strategy and negotiated prices.
• Handle Engineering Change Notices, invoicing discrepancies, shortages, quality issues, inventory analysis, and supplier analysis for assigned items.
• Resolve material shortages and maintain outstanding internal customer satisfaction.
• Ensure timely delivery of purchased material for divisional production consistent with inventory policy.
• Prepare Return Goods Orders and disposition of rejected material.
• Maintain professional relationships with suppliers, engineers, production control, marketing, manufacturing, and other purchasing personnel.
• Resolve issues related to invoicing, receipts, acknowledgements, material shortages, delinquencies, and certifications with vendors, divisional, and corporate personnel.
• Coordinate Engineering Change Notices for purchased items affecting new or existing materials.
• Interpret MRP output to create purchase orders and verify supplier receipt.
• Expedite delivery of past‑due or moved‑up purchase orders and record date revisions in system.
• Contact suppliers to resolve shipment discrepancies or quality issues.
• Provide metrics and scorecard data, collaborating with suppliers on quality, on‑time delivery, costing, and customer experience performance.
• Obtain quotations for new items from approved suppliers and negotiate process changes that lower purchase prices.
• Analyze on‑hand levels, reorder levels, and reorder quantities and make necessary database changes or recommendations.
• Analyze delivery issues and adjust database as required.
• Devise purchasing procedures to improve service and reduce cost.

• Provide sourcing assistance during major shutdowns.
• Assist Accounts Payable with timely credit/debit reconciliation.
• Act as backup for other Buyers.
• Develop deeper understanding of production requirement data and respond appropriately.
• Participate in Lean initiatives such as inventory carrying costs, Kanban, consignment, and floor stock.
• Assist Corporate Purchasing in supplier consolidation efforts.
• Conduct studies of material costs and supplier services and recommend changes.
• Co‑train Associate Buyers for specific functions such as Drop Ship Orders and Off‑site Orders.

• Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree with 3+ years of experience or 5+ years of relevant quality experience.
• Professional experience with contract management and negotiations.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Ability to travel domestically up to 5% of scheduled work time.
• Experience in a purchasing/supply chain role.
• Experience in sales, operations planning, master scheduling, inventory control, or production control within an MRP/ERP environment.
• One year of purchasing experience within a manufacturing or fabrication environment.
• APICS C.P.I.M. certification or equivalent.
• Experience evaluating the integrity and reliability of business systems.
• Data analysis skills to minimize inventory and adjust system data.
• Excellent communication, organization, analytical, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong mathematical aptitude.
• Knowledge of Lean theory and material requirements planning.
• Experience with inventory and production activity control techniques and data query development.
• Understanding of production requirement data and ability to respond appropriately.
• Problem‑solving skills for invoicing, receipts, shortages, delinquencies, and certifications.
• Ability to analyze data and make informed decisions.
• Confidence…