Sr Buyer

About the Role

The Senior Buyer leads procurement activities for metals, components, and related manufacturing materials, as well as outside services. This role ensures supply continuity, maintains an optimal price/cost structure, reduces supply chain risk, and drives strong supplier performance. As a category lead and subject-matter expert, the Senior Buyer manages high-impact commodities and services, leads strategic sourcing initiatives, leverages MRP/ERP capabilities for planning accuracy, and provides direct insight to leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead sourcing strategies for assigned categories and other high-value materials, aligning with corporate supply chain goals, including RFX activities, source identification, qualification, and contract management.
• Analyze market conditions, commodity trends, and risk factors to recommend long-term sourcing strategies and cost-mitigation plans.
• Collaborate with Planning, Engineering, Operations, and Quality to support New Product Introduction (NPI) and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Manage purchase orders from creation through closure, including tracking, expediting, adjusting, and resolving discrepancies.
• Lead complex negotiations on pricing, contracts, supply agreements, and performance outcomes.
• Drive supplier performance through regular business reviews, focusing on cost, quality, delivery, capacity, and improvement initiatives.
• Serve as purchasing lead on major manufacturing initiatives, cost-reduction programs, and cross-functional projects.
• Engage in strategic collaboration with colleagues at affiliated businesses.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a related field.
• 5–7+ years of purchasing experience in a manufacturing environment, including direct responsibility for buying metals and engineered components.
• Advanced knowledge of MRP/ERP planning and procurement functionalities.
• Demonstrated success in strategic sourcing, complex negotiation, and supplier relationship management.
• Ability to thrive in ambiguous situations within a fast-paced, team-first environment.
• Highly collaborative with a positive attitude; embraces the culture of Safety, Excellence, and Respect.
• Agility to pivot quickly between business priorities and strategic projects.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools, especially Excel.
• Strong analytical, communication, and leadership skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience interpreting technical drawings, specifications, and manufacturing processes.
• Commodity management or category leadership experience.
• Professional certifications (CPSM, CPIM, CSCP, or similar).

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking and decision-making.
• Strong problem-solving and risk-mitigation capability.
• High attention to detail with strong data accuracy in MRP/ERP systems.
• Ability to operate independently while leading cross-functional collaboration.
• Excellence in vendor relationship and contract management.