Site Materials Buyer

About the Role

This role supports site operations by ensuring the timely procurement and availability of materials needed to keep production moving. It is ideal for a detail-oriented supply chain professional who enjoys working cross-functionally, managing supplier relationships, and driving operational efficiency.

What You'll Do

As a Materials Buyer, you will play a critical role in supporting production by planning, purchasing, and tracking materials while maintaining strong supplier relationships and inventory accuracy. On any given day, you will:

• Create and issue purchase orders to approved suppliers based on system demand
• Maintain accurate purchase order information, pricing, and delivery dates within ERP/MRP systems
• Coordinate material availability with site Materials Management and production teams
• Monitor supplier delivery performance and address shortages or delivery concerns
• Work with the Expediting team to resolve supplier issues and improve on-time delivery
• Support inventory optimization by utilizing existing stock and reducing excess inventory
• Challenge supplier lead times, cost increases, and delivery commitments when appropriate
• Escalate supplier quality, cost, and delivery concerns to Category Management
• Participate in cost savings and continuous improvement initiatives
• Generate daily, weekly, and monthly purchasing and inventory-related reports
• Support resolution of supplier discrepancies, return authorizations, and data integrity issues

What Makes This Role Different

• Supply Chain Impact - Directly influence production success by ensuring critical materials arrive on time and at the right cost.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration - Work closely with operations, inventory management, suppliers, expediting teams, and leadership to drive results.
• Team Development – Opportunity to lead, coach, and grow a skilled workforce
• Fast-Paced Environment - Every day brings new challenges, from resolving supplier issues to supporting operational priorities and inventory needs.

Requirements

• Associate's degree or equivalent experience
• 2-4 years of purchasing, procurement, or supply chain experience in a manufacturing, industrial, or operations environment
• Experience creating and managing purchase orders through ERP/MRP systems
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to monitor inventory requirements and support demand planning activities
• Experience communicating with suppliers and resolving delivery or quality issues
• Strong Microsoft Excel and reporting skills
• Excellent organizational and time-management abilities
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining high accuracy and attention to detail

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, or a related field
• Experience in rail, manufacturing, heavy industrial, transportation, or maintenance environments
• Understanding of inventory management and material planning concepts
• Experience supporting cost reduction and supplier performance initiatives

Work Environment

• Combination of office and operational facility environments
• Frequent interaction with production, warehouse, and materials teams
• Fast-paced environment with changing priorities and production schedules
• Extended computer and system usage
• Occasional participation in inventory counts and facility audits

Schedule & Location

• Location: Waterloo, Iowa
• Shift: First Shift, Monday-Friday 6:00am - 4:00pm

Compensation

• $55,000 - $65,000 Salaried Exempt Role

Benefits

• Competitive base salary
• Stable, long-term career within a growing organization
• Full Benefits – Day One Medical, Dental, Vision
• 401(k) with company match
• Company-paid life and disability insurance
• Paid time off + paid holidays
• Employee Assistance Program
• Career growth opportunities across Marmon/Berkshire Hathaway companies

Why Transco

At Transco, you're not just taking a job, you're joining a company that prioritizes safety and people first, invests in training and development, offers real career mobility (not just lateral moves), and is backed by the strength and stability of a global organization.