Buyer - Fives Giddings & Lewis

About the role

Join Our Team! Fives Giddings & Lewis is actively seeking a Buyer to join our team in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Learn more about our company: www.fivesgroup.com The Buyer – Fives Giddings & Lewis is responsible for managing a high volume of purchasing transactions in support of customer requirements. This role ensures critical materials and components are sourced, purchased, expedited, tracked, and delivered on time to support customer commitments and internal production schedules. The successful candidate will thrive in a fast-paced environment, proactively resolve supply chain challenges, maintain ERP data accuracy, and collaborate with suppliers and internal stakeholders to drive delivery, cost, and service objectives. This position requires a strong sense of urgency, attention to detail, persistence, and a customer-focused mindset.

Responsibilities

• Manage outstanding part requirements with a focus on delivery performance, efficiency, and cost.
• Create, issue, and maintain purchase orders within SAP, ensuring accuracy of pricing, delivery schedules, and inventory data.
• Evaluate material requirements and demand signals to support customer orders and production schedules.
• Expedite purchase orders and proactively follow parts throughout the procurement and fulfillment process.
• Support Strategic Buyers with supplier lead time management, stocking strategies, and supply continuity initiatives.
• Maintain ERP system integrity through timely transaction processing, reporting, and data management.
• Monitor supplier performance related to quality, delivery, and cost objectives.
• Partner with suppliers and internal teams to reduce lead times, improve on-time delivery, and support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Act as a liaison between suppliers, Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Customer Service, and Operations.
• Support the resolution of invoice discrepancies, supplier credits, and procurement-related issues.
• Participate in Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement activities.
• Ensure compliance with company purchasing procedures, safety standards, and quality requirements.

Qualifications

• Education: Associate degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Operations, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and 3-5 years of relevant purchasing experience.
• Experience: 3-5 years of procurement, purchasing, sourcing, or supply chain experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience purchasing engineered, technical, or complex components preferred.
• Working knowledge of SAP or similar ERP systems.
• Understanding of purchasing and inventory management within a high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environment.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration abilities.
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies preferred.
• Experience within the machine tool, industrial equipment, or capital