Junior Buyer

About the role

We are looking for a detail-oriented entry-level Buyer to join a manufacturing team on a contract-to-permanent basis. This position supports procurement and planning activities that keep materials, components, and services available to meet production and customer delivery goals. The role is well suited for someone who enjoys working across suppliers, inventory data, and internal operations to improve purchasing efficiency and material flow.

Responsibilities

• Create and manage purchase orders for raw materials, outside services, and production-related supplies while aligning orders with inventory objectives.
• Source and place orders for planned equipment and components with attention to cost, quality standards, and required delivery timelines.
• Coordinate routing, bills of materials, drawings, and production scheduling details needed to support the fabrication of parts and assemblies.
• Track open supplier orders, maintain regular follow-up with vendors, and confirm commitments to support manufacturing schedules.
• Actively resolve overdue purchase orders and partner with operations teams to expedite critical parts when shortages affect production needs.
• Monitor raw material levels and adjust purchasing activity to balance customer service expectations with inventory carrying costs.
• Work directly with suppliers to align shipment timing and ensure incoming materials support plant schedules and promised ship dates.
• Replenish Kanban-managed items based on pull signals and help maintain the effectiveness of the Kanban process.
• Identify opportunities to reduce costs, improve procurement workflows, and support action plans tied to broader business objectives.

Requirements

• Experience creating and processing purchase orders in a manufacturing, supply chain, or procurement environment.
• Working knowledge of inventory control, supplier coordination, and material planning principles.
• Ability to use Microsoft Excel for tracking, reporting, and analysis of purchasing or KPI-related data.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to follow up professionally with vendors and internal stakeholders.
• Customer-focused mindset with the ability to support delivery expectations and operational priorities.
• Familiarity with KPI reporting and using data to support purchasing decisions and continuous improvement efforts.
• Experience with ERP or purchasing systems, including exposure to Great Plains (GPAC) or similar platforms.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail when managing multiple orders, schedules, and priorities.

Benefits

• Benefits are available to contract/temporary professionals, including medical, vision, dental, and life and disability insurance.
• Hired contract/temporary professionals are also eligible to enroll in our company 401(k) plan.