Buyer

Essex Solutions is seeking a Buyer/Planner to strategically source, procure, and plan inventory for Maintenance, Repair & Operations (MRO) materials and packaging supplies across our North American manufacturing facilities (Fort Wayne, Franklin IN/TN, Torreon, Simcoe, and JCP). This role prioritizes supply continuity, cost discipline, and compliance while serving as a trusted partner to plant operations, maintenance, and production planning.

Responsibilities

• Procurement & Strategic Sourcing
  • Lead sourcing activities for MRO and packaging categories, ensuring alignment with corporate strategies and compliance requirements.
  • Conduct RFQs, evaluate supplier bids, and negotiate pricing, terms, and service levels to secure competitive advantage and supply reliability.
  • Validate requisitions for compliance with MRO Purchasing Policy prior to approval.
  • Ensure purchase order accuracy and alignment with approved specifications and all applicable policies.
  • Maintain proactive communication with Corporate Sourcing and Supply Chain regarding risks, gaps, or supplier performance issues.
  • Escalate urgent procurement situations requiring expedited approval or action.
  • Develop project charters for assigned initiatives, including goals, KPIs, and timelines.
  • Ensure plants consistently source from the most competitive suppliers and secure cost-efficient purchasing outcomes.
• Customer Service & Plant Partnership
  • Serve as a trusted partner to plant operations, providing responsive, solutions-oriented procurement support.
  • Maintain strong communication with maintenance, operations, and plant leadership to understand priorities and upcoming needs.
  • Respond urgently to critical or unplanned MRO requirements to minimize production risk.
  • Provide timely updates on order status, delays, and issue resolution.
  • Balance responsiveness with adherence to sourcing strategy and cost discipline.
• Cost Savings and Financial Impact
  • Deliver weekly cost savings and cost avoidance aligned with departmental goals; maintain accurate documentation in the savings tracker.
  • Identify cost-reduction opportunities through data analysis, supplier negotiations, standardization, and material optimization.
  • Support corporate sourcing initiatives and cross-functional cost-saving projects.
  • Collaborate with internal stakeholders to evaluate and implement cost-saving ideas and process improvements.
• Packaging Planning & Inventory Management
  • Manage packaging inventory levels to ensure supply reliability while minimizing excess and avoiding obsolescence.
  • Collaborate closely with production planners to anticipate requirements based on schedules, changes, ramp-ups/downs, and shutdowns.
  • Establish and maintain min/max levels or safety stock based on demand patterns, lead times, and operational variability.
  • Support implementation of new packaging solutions, materials, and suppliers.
• Systems, Compliance & Process Discipline
  • Ensure all procurement activities comply with corporate strategies, policies, and KSOX requirements.
  • Maintain complete and accurate documentation for new supplier setup per Sourcing Work Instructions.
  • Ensure purchase order pricing accuracy and maintain up-to-date due dates in iPurchase.
  • Close purchase orders for materials not being delivered to maintain system accuracy and audit readiness.
  • Demonstrate strong process discipline and adherence to procurement workflows.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Collaborate with fellow buyers on projects, coverage, best practices, and continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Share tools, insights, and process enhancements to strengthen team performance and consistency across sites.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED equivalent; bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred.
• 3–5 years of experience in procurement and planning within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience in MRO procurement and packaging materials within a manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency in ERP/MRP systems (SAP, Oracle, or similar) and Microsoft Office (Excel, Power BI a plus).
• Strong negotiation, analytical, and vendor management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Skills & Competencies

• Analytical & Technical
  • Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making.
  • ERP/MRP proficiency (SAP, Oracle, or similar).
  • Market awareness and understanding of cost drivers.
  • Ability to interpret demand patterns, lead times, and inventory requirements.
• Behavioral & Leadership
  • Disciplined, organized, and detail-oriented.
  • Strategic and critical thinking.
  • High integrity, honesty, and transparency.
  • Continuous improvement mindset.
• Communication & Collaboration
  • Strong cross-functional communication skills.
  • Ability to build relationships with internal teams and suppliers.
  • Solutions-oriented problem-solving approach.
  • Effective teamwork and collaboration across sites.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Primarily office-based with regular interaction on the plant floor.
• Occasional travel to North American facilities and supplier locations (5–10%).