Purchasing Buyer

Support uninterrupted production by managing supplier delivery, purchase order forecasting, order acknowledgements, and expediting activities. Build effective relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers, including customer-directed suppliers, to ensure materials are available to meet customer forecasts and production schedules.

PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Forecast future purchase order requirements using customer forecasts, production demand, inventory status, supplier lead times, and schedule changes.

• Issue, maintain, and monitor purchase orders to support production requirements and customer demand.

• Obtain supplier acknowledgements and confirm supplier commitment to delivery dates, quantities, pricing, and other purchase order requirements.

• Expedite supplier deliveries as needed to prevent shortages, support production continuity, and recover missed or at-risk shipments.

• Identify, communicate, and escalate supplier delivery risks, material shortages, and schedule conflicts before they impact production.

• Develop, maintain, and promote effective working relationships with suppliers, including internal suppliers, external suppliers, and customer-directed suppliers.

• Work closely with Production, Planning, Purchasing, Logistics, Quality, and other internal stakeholders to align material availability with production schedules.

• Work closely with suppliers to correct supplier delivery problems and improve delivery performance.

• Support supplier performance reviews by providing delivery, acknowledgement, shortage, and expedite status information as required.

• Work closely with Logistics to ensure supplier compliance with packaging, shipping, and logistics specifications.

• Support cost, sourcing, and supplier improvement activities as requested by Purchasing management.

ACCOUNTABILITY:

• Accountable for material availability needed to support production schedules.

• Accountable for timely supplier acknowledgements, delivery follow-up, and expedite activity.

• Accountable for accurate purchase order, forecast, and supplier communication records.

• Supports supplier relationship success through timely communication, follow-up, and escalation.

DECISION MAKING:

• Purchase order release and follow-up priorities based on forecast, customer demand, and production need.

• Supplier expediting priorities and escalation of delivery risk.

• Supplier communication and coordination regarding order acknowledgements, delivery commitments, and schedule changes.

• Support for component pricing, supplier negotiations, and long-term agreements as assigned by Purchasing management

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

• 3+ years purchasing / procurement, material planning, scheduling, or supplier management experience (in addition to bachelor degree)
• 7+ years purchasing / procurement, material planning, scheduling, or supplier management experience (in lieu of bachelor degree)

ADDITIONAL POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• Self-motivated, able to perform role with minimal supervision, taking ownership and demonstrating a sense of urgency.

• Effective communication skills through email, Microsoft Teams, and oral communication with internal stakeholders and suppliers.

• Highly proficient with Microsoft Excel, including the ability to manage forecast data, order schedules, shortage reports, and supplier follow-up activity.

• Experience scheduling orders based on customer forecast, production demand, inventory status, and supplier lead times.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic production environment.

• Detail oriented and highly organized, with strong follow-up discipline.

• Analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify risks, communicate issues, and drive timely resolution.

• Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative work style.

• Positive attitude and high ethical standards.

• Ability to work effectively with customer-directed suppliers and understand the importance of customer requirements in supplier management.

• Ability to read and interpret engineering prints a plus.

• Solid understanding of manufacturing processes preferred.

• Professional certification in purchasing, supply chain, and/or inventory management (e.g. CPM, CSCP) preferred.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

The pay range provided represents the expected compensation for this position. Actual pay will be determined based on factors such as experience, skills, and qualifications, while maintaining fairness with internal pay structures. We ensure compliance with all applicable wage and hour laws, including those related to minimum pay requirements.

• $70,000 – $85,000 annually
• 100% Company-Paid Health Insurance, Life Insurance, & Disability Insurance (full pay)
• $5.00 Premium for Employee Dental & Vision Insurance
• 108 Holiday Hours (8 Holidays plus shutdown between Christmas & New Year’s)
• Paid Time Off Plans
• Up to 7% Company 401(K) Match
• Flexible Spending Account for Medical and Dependent Care
• Tuition Assistance, Gym reimbursement and PPE reimbursement up to the approved limit
• Additional Employee Perks such as company apparel and employee events/meals