Buyer

About the Role

Marlen International (“Marlen”) has been trusted by the world’s leading food brands for over 65 years. Located in Riverside, MO, Marlen is a global manufacturer of highly engineered food processing equipment and systems. The Buyer will hold an integral role within our organization, ensuring materials are ordered and received to support our manufacturing schedule and customer needs. This is a high-volume position requiring focus, a high degree of organization, and a solid understanding of our business.

Responsibilities

• Cost Management: Develop buying strategies, identify cost reduction opportunities, and negotiate pricing, terms, and contractual issues with suppliers. Manage transportation costs and reduce total landed cost.
• Purchase Order Management: Oversee the purchase order replenishment process, aligning inventory levels with customer demand. Process purchase orders and act as a liaison between Marlen employees and suppliers. Resolve discrepancies or issues with suppliers.
• Supplier Development: Manage supplier performance through routine business reviews. Propose new and improved product solutions and alternative supplier options.
• Sourcing: Collaborate with Sales and Production to understand projects and identify potential sources of supply. Gather project requirements, obtain pricing from qualified suppliers, and build relationships that yield results. Drive "best practice" processes.
• Demonstrate excellent communication skills, self-direction, and a detail-oriented approach to problem-solving.
• Understand business and purchasing systems (e.g., Syteline, Infor, SAP). Create and manage spreadsheets, contracts, and PowerPoint presentations.
• Experience with project management, expediting, and optimizing inventory levels.

Requirements

• Four-year college degree in engineering, supply chain, or business preferred, with 5+ years of purchasing experience in a manufacturing environment (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• Solid analytical skills with expertise in MS Excel.
• Prior experience in purchasing and understanding of ERP purchasing and planning modules. Experience in Syteline is a plus.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and specifications of custom-engineered components.

Skills

• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Self-directed, detail-oriented, and problem-solving mindset.
• Desire to drive process improvements and implement best practices.

Work Environment

The position is office-based with regular visits to the manufacturing area. The employee is frequently required to stand and sit and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required include close vision and color vision. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

Benefits

• Competitive wages with growth opportunities.
• Shared company-paid premium health benefits with buy-up options.
• Company-paid telemedicine (general medicine) program.
• Company-paid Long-term Disability Plan, Basic Life, and AD&D insurance.
• 401(k) employer matching plan.
• Three weeks of paid time off and 10 paid holidays.
• Educational Assistance Program covering job-related tuition, training, course registration, and exam fees (up to $5,250 per calendar year, per eligibility requirements).
• Company discount program for employees and their families (e.g., concerts, sporting events, health and wellness, travel, gifts, and more).
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) providing guidance on childcare, financial planning, pet care, and more.

Why Join Marlen

• Driven Team Members: A cross-functional, collaborative environment focused on delivering results.
• Customer-Centric: Long-standing valued customers and a commitment to exceptional service.
• Culture: A workplace driven by its employees and their successes.