Buyer
About the role
This role serves as a key link between engineering, manufacturing, and finance by coordinating the procurement of materials, equipment, and services in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. The Buyer / Purchasing Coordinator converts purchase requests into accurate purchase orders, manages supplier interactions, and helps ensure that materials arrive on time and at the best possible value. This position supports strategic sourcing efforts and contributes directly to efficient production operations and cost-effective supply chain performance.
Responsibilities
- Process purchase requests into accurate and timely purchase orders using an ERP system.
- Collaborate with internal teams, including engineering, manufacturing, and finance, to gather procurement requirements and translate them into requests for quotation (RFQs) and purchase orders (POs).
- Negotiate pricing, lead times, and commercial terms with suppliers to optimize value and support business objectives.
- Manage day-to-day supplier relationships under the guidance of Category Managers to ensure quality, reliability, and on-time delivery.
- Resolve procurement issues throughout the lifecycle of an order, including addressing invoice discrepancies, delivery delays, and order changes.
- Monitor order status and coordinate with internal stakeholders to ensure materials and services are available when needed for production.
- Support strategic sourcing initiatives by identifying opportunities to improve procurement processes, reduce costs, and enhance supplier performance.
- Maintain accurate purchasing records, documentation, and data within the ERP system and related tools.
- Use Excel and other tools to track purchasing activities, analyze spend, and support reporting needs.
- Contribute to continuous improvement efforts within the supply chain and purchasing function.
Requirements
- At least 3 years of purchasing or procurement experience in a manufacturing environment.
- Hands-on experience using ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, Odoo, or NetSuite for purchase order creation and management.
- Proficiency in purchase order creation, including converting purchase requests into accurate POs.
- Experience with invoice management, including resolving invoice discrepancies related to pricing, quantities, and deliveries.
- Strong negotiation skills focused on pricing, lead times, and commercial terms.
- General supply chain knowledge, including understanding of procurement, logistics, and supplier management processes.
- Proficiency with Excel for tracking orders, analyzing data, and supporting reporting.
- Ability to work cross-functionally with engineering, manufacturing, and finance teams.
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy in data entry and documentation.
- Effective communication and relationship-building skills with internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
Additional Qualifications
- Experience working in a complex manufacturing environment with multiple stakeholders and changing priorities.
- Familiarity with strategic sourcing concepts and initiatives aimed at cost reduction and process improvement.
- Comfort working with multiple ERP platforms (SAP, Oracle, Odoo, NetSuite) and adapting to new systems and tools.
- Ability to identify and escalate supplier performance issues and contribute to corrective actions.
- Strong organizational and time management skills to handle multiple purchase requests and deadlines simultaneously.
- Analytical mindset to support spend analysis, supplier comparisons, and process optimization.
Work Environment
This position operates within a manufacturing environment located in Long Beach. The role involves close collaboration with engineering, manufacturing, and finance teams, and regular interaction with suppliers. Work is primarily performed using ERP systems and Excel, along with other standard office and collaboration tools. The environment is fast-paced and production-focused, requiring responsiveness to changing priorities and timelines. The role may involve working near active manufacturing operations, equipment, and materials, with appropriate adherence to safety procedures and site-specific guidelines.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract, fully onsite position based in Long Beach, CA.
Pay
The pay range for this position is $35.00 - $44.00/hr.
Benefits
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
- Medical, dental & vision
- Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
- 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
- Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
- Short and long-term disability
- Health Spending Account (HSA)
- Transportation benefits
- Employee Assistance Program
- Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)