MRO Buyer

Primary Responsibilities

• Procurement & Supplier Management
  • Sources and purchases maintenance parts, equipment, consumables, utilities, and technical services that support manufacturing operations.
  • Creates and maintains accurate purchase orders including pricing, quantities, supplier information, delivery schedules, freight terms, and required documentation.
  • Obtains competitive quotations and evaluates suppliers based on total cost, quality, lead time, service, and reliability.
  • Develops and maintains strong working relationships with suppliers, OEMs, distributors, and service providers.
  • Maintains accurate MRO inventory including item master data, pricing, supplier information, stock levels, reorder points, lead times, and warehouse locations.
  • Pairs with Maintenance and Engineering to identify critical spare parts and establish appropriate minimum and maximum inventory levels.
  • Supports inventory optimization initiatives while ensuring critical materials remain available for production and maintenance activities.
  • Collaborates with vendor returns, warranty claims, repairable components, and expedited shipments as required.
  • Anticipates long-lead items, supplier risks, planned shutdowns, capital projects, and preventive maintenance requirements to minimize operational disruptions.
  • Provides daily leadership, direction, and support to the MRO Warehouse Coordinator.
  • Partners with Maintenance, Operations, Engineering, Warehouse, Procurement, Supply Chain, Finance, Quality, and Food Safety teams to support business objectives.
  • Promotes continuous improvement in purchasing processes, inventory management, warehouse organization, and supplier performance.
  • Communicates effectively across departments to ensure alignment on priorities, project timelines, and material availability.
  • Ensures purchasing activities comply with company policies, approval limits, ethical sourcing standards, and procurement procedures.
  • Supports compliance with GMPs, food safety programs, workplace safety requirements, and regulatory expectations.
  • Identifies opportunities to improve purchasing efficiency, inventory accuracy, supplier performance, and overall operational effectiveness.

Qualifications

• Ace’s newly established Frozen Breakfast Business Unit – US Waffle – is driving an ambitious growth strategy supported by two manufacturing facilities in Liberty, SC and Hazelwood, MO.
• The MRO Buyer plays a critical role in ensuring uninterrupted manufacturing operations through the timely procurement, inventory management, and supplier coordination of Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) materials and services.
• This position is responsible for sourcing maintenance parts, equipment, technical services, and operating supplies while maintaining accurate purchasing data, optimizing inventory, and supporting maintenance reliability.
• Success in this role requires strong planning skills, fiscal responsibility, supplier relationship management, and the ability to anticipate operational needs before they impact production.
• The MRO Buyer partners closely with Maintenance, Engineering, Production, Warehouse, Supply Chain, Finance, and Quality teams to ensure materials are available when needed while balancing cost, inventory investment, and service performance.
• This position reports directly to Technical Services Leadership and provides daily leadership and support to the MRO Warehouse Coordinator.
• Associate’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, Engineering Technology, or a related discipline preferred; equivalent experience will be considered.
• Minimum three years of experience in purchasing, procurement, inventory management, MRO, maintenance planning, or industrial supply chain.
• Experience supporting manufacturing operations within an industrial environment required.
• Food manufacturing or other regulated manufacturing experience preferred.
• Strong understanding of purchasing processes, supplier management, inventory control, and cost analysis.
• Experience working with ERP and CMMS systems; experience with Plex, Ultimo, Fiix, or similar systems is preferred.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
• Knowledge of mechanical, electrical, automation, controls, facilities, and utility components used in manufacturing environments preferred.
• Previous experience leading or coordinating warehouse or inventory personnel is preferred.