Corporate Buyer

Company Overview

GHX Industrial, a SunSource company, is a growing, dynamic organization with roots traced back to 1937. GHX is a highly recognized value‑added distributor and fabricator of industrial gaskets and hoses, serving large refining and petrochemical customers, upstream oil and gas service and supply companies, OEMs, and mineral and mining enterprises. With 50 locations across North America, GHX inventories a wide range of gasket materials, hoses, fittings, textiles, and expansion joints, providing solutions to static sealing (gaskets) and fluid transfer (hoses) that reduce downtime and increase throughput.

Role Overview

The Buyer will coordinate, report, purchase, and maintain all inventory levels and related activities for assigned locations or product categories. Reporting to the Director of Purchasing, the role works closely with suppliers, sales, operations, and all GHX locations to meet inventory goals, budgets, and service levels.

Responsibilities

• Maximize inventory turns and working capital.
• Review daily stock requirements for scheduled branch replenishment and procure stock as needed.
• Update and maintain P21 stock replenishment settings.
• Review excess and obsolete inventory; develop targets and plans to reduce levels.
• Work with suppliers to increase profit margins.
• Conduct inventory cadence calls to maintain inventory‑goal focus.
• Assist locations with new item and stock‑add requests.
• Review supplier freight programs and charges to ensure cost conformity to supply agreements.
• Transfer stock between locations to balance inventory where possible.
• Communicate with branches to understand market and inventory trends and needs.
• Collaborate with other SunSource inventory teams to develop and promote best practices.
• Reduce and consolidate suppliers by utilizing primary supply partners.
• Assist with inventory policy adherence and program compliance at branches.
• Report and analyze inventory levels daily, comparing performance to budgets and goals.
• Ensure shipping methods required of supply partners are adhered to.
• Maintain consistent product ordering patterns to provide optimal inventory levels.
• Analyze supplier on‑time‑delivery (OTD) performance and work to improve shipping performance.
• Review stock levels, stock items/non‑stock items, and adjust to improve customer fill rates.
• Analyze product classes, customer inventory, dead & excess inventory, supplier inventory, and branch stock levels to ensure optimal company inventory turns.
• Provide daily, weekly, and monthly reports on inventory status.
• Review and negotiate large buys and special needs as required.

Key Competencies

• Communication: Creates an atmosphere where timely, high‑quality information flows smoothly up and down the organization and encourages open expression of ideas.
• Coaching: Improves and reinforces performance of others by providing clear, behaviorally specific feedback and suggestions that build confidence.
• Initiative: Proactively takes actions beyond what is required, improving products, services, and planning for changing business needs.
• Interpersonal Relations: Considers the impact of words and actions on others, maintains stable performance under pressure, and handles opposition or stressful conditions.
• Negotiation: Effectively explores alternatives and positions to reach outcomes that gain support from all parties.
• Planning & Organizing: Establishes systematic courses of action, monitors results, and sets priorities, goals, and timetables to achieve maximum productivity.

Qualifications

• Education: Superior understanding of supply chain management; a Bachelor’s degree in Business or a related field is desired.
• Experience: 2–5 years of inventory and purchasing experience, preferably in industrial distribution.
• Computer Skills: Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite; experience with multi‑location inventory systems (e.g., P21) is a plus.
• Certifications: Professional association certifications are a plus.

GHX is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Accommodations for applicants with disabilities are available upon request (contact recruiting@sunsrce.com). This employer uses E‑Verify.