Buyer Team Leader

Southworth International Group, Inc. (SIGI) is the world’s largest manufacturer of ergonomic material handling equipment for vertical lifting and work positioning. Our products are designed to improve worker productivity while reducing the potential for worker injuries. Anywhere where workers are lifting and positioning items, handling pallets, working with parts in containers or transporting loads in a factory or warehouse, SIGI has a product to make the job faster, safer, and easier. The Buyer Team Leader is responsible for leading and supporting the daily activities of the purchasing team while ensuring the timely procurement of materials, components, and services required to support business operations. This position provides coaching, training, and guidance to buyers and serves as a resource for procurement processes, supplier management, and continuous improvement initiatives. In addition to team leadership responsibilities, the Buyer Team Lead manages selected international suppliers and sourcing activities, ensuring cost competitiveness, quality, delivery performance, and compliance with applicable trade requirements. The role works closely with domestic and global suppliers, internal stakeholders, and supply chain leadership to ensure continuity of supply, operational efficiency, and achievement of organizational objectives. The Buyer Team Lead supports the development of procurement talent, drives process improvement initiatives, and contributes to strategic sourcing efforts while building the leadership capabilities required for future advancement within the Supply Chain organization. The position is based at Southworth International Group, Inc. (SIGI) in Manila, AR. Key Responsibilities Provide day-to-day direction, coaching, and developmental feedback to procurement team membersAssist with onboarding, training, and development of new procurement employeesSupport workload balancing, task prioritization, and escalation management within the purchasing teamMentor team members and help build departmental capability and succession readinessProvide input on employee performance, development plans, and career progression discussionsParticipate in candidate interviews and hiring recommendations for procurement positionsSupport corrective action discussions and coaching efforts in partnership with Supply Chain leadership and Human ResourcesLead departmental training initiatives and monitor completion of required development activitiesLead cross-functional projects, process improvements, and digital transformation efforts within the supply chain functionPresent supplier performance, sourcing initiatives, cost savings projects, and procurement metrics to leadershipExercise decision-making authority related to supplier selection, sourcing recommendations, procurement priorities, and continuous improvement initiatives within established company guidelinesMonitor supplier performance related to quality, delivery, responsiveness, and costSupport trade compliance requirements and documentation associated with domestic and international purchasesManage assigned international suppliers and commodity categoriesExecute sourcing activities for imported materials, components, and finished goodsIdentify supply chain risks associated with global sourcing and develop mitigation plansCoordinate with suppliers, freight providers, brokers, and internal stakeholders to support international procurement activitiesLead supplier negotiations for assigned international suppliers to achieve cost, quality, and service objectivesSupport supplier audits, business reviews, and strategic sourcing initiatives involving international suppliersAnalyze market conditions, tariffs, freight trends, and supplier capacity constraints impacting global supplyCollaborate with Supply Chain leadership on supplier development and cost reduction opportunities Qualifications - Skills And Experience Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related field preferred5+ years of procurement, sourcing, or supply chain experience with international supplier exposureExperience with ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Office applicationsAPICS/CPIM/CSCP certification preferred or willingness to pursue professional developmentDemonstrated ability to influence others, lead projects, and drive results without direct authorityExperience managing complex supplier negotiations and strategic sourcing initiativesExperience utilizing procurement metrics and data analysis to support business decisions Measures of Success Achievement of supplier scorecard targets for quality, delivery, responsiveness, and cost competitivenessAnnual cost savings and cost avoidance objectives achievedInventory turn and working capital goals achievedCritical supplier continuity and risk mitigation plans maintainedProcurement team training and development objectives completedInternal customer satisfaction with procurement support and responsivenessSuccessful onboarding and development of new team membersBench strength and succession readiness within the procurement functionSuccessful completion of cross-functional projects supporting operational and strategic initiativesInternational supplier on-time delivery performance achievedImport cost management objectives achievedTrade compliance requirements maintained with no significant violationsSupplier risk mitigation plans developed and maintained for key international suppliersSuccessful execution of international sourcing projects and supplier transitions Working Conditions Office and manufacturing environmentInteraction with domestic and international suppliersOccasional travel may be required for supplier visits, audits, trade events, and business meetingsOccasional work outside normal business hours to support international suppliers and time zones We’re an Equal Opportunity Employer: You’ll receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status or disability. We’re only hiring those authorized to work in the United States. We do not currently sponsor immigration visas. SIGI does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or employment agencies. Any unsolicited resume will become the property of SIGI.