Associate Buyer

We are looking for energetic, motivated individuals with a team and growth mindset to join our growing printing business. This role is ideal for someone eager to learn, grow, and develop their skills.

About the role

An Associate Buyer is a first-level buyer responsible for supporting the Purchasing team on various outsourcing and material purchasing functions for catalog print and direct mail jobs. The Associate Buyer serves as the liaison between Nahan’s internal teams and external vendor partners, coordinating and ensuring smooth procurement and project management of outsourced services.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate daily with Purchasing, vendor partners, Scheduling, and Warehouse Logistics to ensure timely pickup and delivery of ordered products.
• Assist the Manager of Outsource Procurement with outsource cost analysis exercises across vendor partners and summarize findings.
• Request quotes, analyze and negotiate pricing to place outsource work with the partner offering the best solution.
• Manage the lifecycle of outsourced projects, ensuring deadlines and deliverables are met while maintaining accurate PO pricing to avoid billing discrepancies.
• Work with internal and external teams to navigate project needs and troubleshoot issues.
• Support the Materials Purchasing team by entering order confirmations, creating Customer Supplied Paper Purchase Orders, and processing FSC certification requests.
• Assist in creating SOPs for the department.
• Follow all Nahan Safety and Quality policies and procedures.
• Support 6S initiatives as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Associate’s degree and/or three (3) years’ experience in purchasing, business, or project management environment.
• Experience in the Direct Mail or Catalog Industry is helpful but not required.

Skills

• Strong time management and organizational skills.
• Ability to work within tight timelines and in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong written, verbal, and listening skills.
• Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
• Flexibility to work across the entire Purchasing department as needed.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Proficiency in English, both verbally and in writing.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage.
• 100% Employer-Paid Life Insurance.
• 100% Employer-Paid Short-Term & Long-Term Disability Insurance.
• Other voluntary employee benefits (e.g., Accident & Critical Illness).
• 401K with Employer Match.
• Vacation and Holiday pay.
• Sick and Safe time (where applicable by state).

Pay

Wage range: $50,000–$65,000. Base pay is based on job-related skills, experience, credentials, role scope, and location. Candidates outside the posted range are encouraged to apply, as qualifications and market factors may influence consideration.

Schedule

Hybrid, with 3+ days in the office.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

The role operates in a hybrid office environment with occasional exposure to a manufacturing setting. The employee may be exposed to normal to moderate working conditions, including noise levels ranging from quiet to moderate, with minimal to some interruptions.

• Routine use of office equipment, software, and hardware.
• Regularly required to talk, hear, type, write, and participate in virtual and in-person meetings.
• May require standing, sitting, or moving for long periods, as well as using hands or fingers to handle objects.
• Occasionally required to stand, walk, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Regularly lift 25 lbs or more at a time.
• All vision abilities required for close-up work.
• Must tolerate and endure extended seasonal hours while maintaining alertness to meet deadlines.
• Occasional exposure to machinery, moving parts, airborne particles (including paper dust), hazardous materials, or fumes, which may require the use of PPE.
• May be exposed to adverse weather conditions, high or precarious places, and confined spaces.
• Noise levels in some work environments may require the use of hearing protection.

About The Company

Nahan was founded over 60 years ago by a local family in Minnesota. It is a deeply human company focused on how we work with each other, serve our clients, and reach customers. We provide full-service direct marketing with award-winning results, driven by innovation and insight. Our success is rooted in putting people first, doing the right thing for our clients and associates, and delivering the highest levels of quality. In a world where personalization and customization are valued, we make messages feel personal while keeping the process simple. We listen, create, and deliver results for our clients, with a winning track record based on proof, not promises.