Buyer

About the role

The Buyer will report to the Materials Manager and will be responsible for purchasing materials, components, supplies, and services needed to support production schedules, customer demand, inventory objectives, and company cost targets. This role works closely with Materials, Production, Warehouse, Engineering, Customer Service, Accounting, and suppliers to ensure materials are ordered accurately, delivered on time, and purchased at competitive pricing while maintaining quality and service expectations.

Responsibilities

• Review MRP, purchase requisitions, inventory levels, production schedules, and demand requirements to determine purchasing needs.
• Create, issue, confirm, and maintain purchase orders in the ERP system in accordance with company policies and approval requirements.
• Purchase raw materials, components, supplies, tooling, packaging, and services required to support production and operational needs.
• Communicate with suppliers regarding pricing, availability, lead times, order acknowledgments, delivery dates, backorders, shortages, and quality concerns.
• Expedite or reschedule orders as needed to support production requirements and minimize material shortages or excess inventory.
• Maintain accurate purchasing records, supplier information, order status updates, pricing data, and delivery documentation.
• Support cycle counts, physical inventory activities, and inventory accuracy initiatives as needed.
• Prepare purchasing reports, open order reports, supplier follow-up updates, and other requested information as needed.

Requirements

• A high school diploma or equivalent required; an Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, or a related field preferred.
• 2+ years of purchasing, buying, procurement, materials, planning, inventory, or supply chain experience preferred.
• Manufacturing, fabrication, assembly, or distribution environment experience preferred.
• Experience using an ERP/MRP system required; Epicor experience preferred.
• Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, especially Outlook and Excel.
• Knowledge of purchasing practices, supplier follow-up, lead times, inventory control, and material flow preferred.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, follow-through, problem-solving, and time management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to interact professionally with suppliers, employees, and all levels of the organization.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with internal departments and external suppliers.
• Ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities, production needs, supplier delays, and business requirements.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when handling pricing, supplier, and company information.
• APICS/ASCM, CPIM, CSCP, or purchasing-related certification is a plus but not required.