Sr Buyer

About the role

The Senior Buyer is responsible for developing and executing sourcing and procurement strategies for both direct and indirect materials supporting all manufacturing of products. This role ensures uninterrupted supply while optimizing cost, quality, delivery, inventory, and supplier performance. The successful candidate will partner closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Planning, Quality, Finance, and Operations to support new product introductions (NPI), strategic sourcing initiatives, and continuous improvement efforts. This position requires a highly analytical procurement professional with strong negotiation skills and experience in complex manufacturing environments.

Nature of duties

• Sourcing Strategy: Develop and execute sourcing strategies for assigned commodity categories to achieve cost, quality, delivery, and risk mitigation objectives.
• Bidding & Negotiation: Lead competitive bidding (RFQ/RFP) processes and negotiates pricing, contracts, payment terms, lead times, logistics, and long-term supply agreements.
• Cost Optimization: Identify opportunities for cost reduction, value engineering, and total cost of ownership (TCO) improvements; support should-cost analysis and benchmarking.
• Performance Monitoring: Develop strategic supplier partnerships and monitor KPIs, including On-Time Delivery (OTD), Quality PPM, Lead Time, Cost Reduction, and Responsiveness.
• Reviews & Audits: Conduct supplier business reviews, lead development initiatives, and support supplier qualification and audits alongside the Quality team.
• Metals & Fabrication: Sheet/structural/stainless steel, aluminum, copper, electrical conductors, bus bars, precision machined components, fabricated metal parts, and elements.
• Hardware & Components: Fasteners, hardware, plastic injection molded parts, die-cast components, electronic components, and printed circuit boards (PCB/PCBA).
• Sub-assemblies & Systems: Wire harnesses, connectors, cooling system components, transformers, magnetic components, and power distribution components.
• Finishing & Packaging: Powder coating, finishing services, and packaging materials.
• MRO & Operations: MRO supplies, industrial gases, welding consumables, cutting tools, maintenance spare parts, and safety equipment (PPE).
• Services & Facilities: Office supplies, capital equipment support, logistics/freight services, temporary labor, software, facility maintenance contracts, and utilities.
• Supply Continuity: Collaborate with Production Planning and SIOP teams to ensure material availability, resolve supply disruptions, and participate in daily shortage meetings.
• Inventory & ECOs: Support inventory optimization initiatives and manage engineering change orders (ECOs) and material transitions.
• New Product Introduction (NPI): Source new suppliers/technologies, evaluate supply chain risks, obtain prototype/production quotes, support Design for Cost (DFC) initiatives, and ensure supplier production readiness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of purchasing or strategic sourcing experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience purchasing both direct and indirect materials, as well as negotiating supplier contracts and pricing.
• Strong knowledge of ERP systems (e.g., Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, SAP).
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills alongside strong analytical, financial, communication, and negotiation abilities.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience in industrial equipment manufacturing or metal fabrication.
• Technical knowledge of metal fabrication, machining, powder coating, assembly operations, electronic components, and electromechanical assemblies.
• Professional certifications (e.g., APICS/ASCM, CPSM, CPM, or ISM).