Buyer

Responsibilities

Your responsibilities will include processing purchase orders, negotiating with suppliers, tracking orders, creating and maintaining an inventory, quality assurance, and liaising with inventory teams and management. The buyer will work with staff across departments to forecast the needs of the business and make purchase decisions based on demand. The buyer should be analytically minded and possess excellent negotiating skills to secure the best prices according to budget. Knowledge of sales and marketing principles is advantageous. Success in this role will be demonstrated by developing and implementing procurement strategies to minimize costs and drive profit margins.

• Oversee and maintain current inventory and ensure stock levels are kept at appropriate levels.
• Develop and enhance relationships with strategic suppliers/partners.
• Serve as primary contact and foster positive, mutually beneficial relationships with suppliers.
• Prepare and implement effective negotiation tactics to purchase materials, parts, supplies, and equipment in a timely and cost‑effective manner while maintaining quality standards and specifications.
• Approve and issue purchase orders in accordance with company policies, negotiated terms and conditions, and measure and track purchasing activity.
• Handle correspondence concerning over‑shipments, delivery shortages, changes in quantity, delivery dates, prices, etc., ensuring orders are updated and affected departments are notified.
• Coordinate purchase orders with the logistics department for delivery.
• Research and find new suppliers while establishing a preferred vendor list followed by a secondary vendor listing.
• Perform other duties or responsibilities, as assigned.
• Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Utilize excellent MS Office (Word, Excel, and Outlook) experience.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of purchasing practices and procedures and ability to learn the company's ERP software platform (Visual by Infor).
• Proficiency with MS Word, MS Excel, and basic computer hardware.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to interact successfully at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to maintain a cooperative team environment that promotes high performance standards, goal attainment, and company culture.
• Strong negotiation and follow‑up skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, customer service, and communication skills.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities.
• Professional, energetic, and positive personality with a strong phone presence.
• Ability to work and react in a fast‑paced environment with minimal direction.
• Reliability and punctuality with attendance and deadlines.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in procurement, materials planning, business administration, or a related field (preferred).
• 2+ years of experience in a buyer, procurement, or related role (preferred).
• Must be able to lift up to 25 lb.

Physical Demands and Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Employees may need to sit or stand as needed, walk primarily on a level surface for periodic periods throughout the day, reach above shoulder height or below the waist, and lift as required when filing documents or storing materials. Proper lifting techniques are required, and occasional lifting of up to 25 lb may be necessary.

Work Conditions and Environment

The work environment is typical of an office setting, with ambient room temperatures, standard lighting, and traditional office equipment. Employees encounter the usual office conditions while performing the essential functions of the job.