Buyer

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Director of SIOP, the Buyer I supports the procurement function by sourcing, negotiating, and purchasing goods and services to meet organizational needs. This role contributes to cost-effective purchasing, reliable supply, and optimized inventory levels through effective supplier management, accurate purchasing processes, and cross-functional collaboration.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Supplier Sourcing and Management

• Support strategic RFQs by following the sourcing strategy, playbook, and direction provided by the Director of Sourcing.
• Evaluate potential suppliers to ensure quality, cost, service, capacity, and lead-time expectations are met.
• Negotiate pricing and terms with vendors to achieve cost savings and favorable agreements while utilizing standard supplier contracts and terms.
• Work with suppliers to hold inventory, improve lead times, and support reliable supply continuity.
• Maintain strong supplier relationships and monitor supplier performance using defined metrics such as on-time delivery, quality, and cost.
• Track and report cost savings, supplier performance, purchasing KPIs, and supply risks; escalate capacity concerns to the Director of Sourcing as needed.

Purchasing and Order Management

• Manage purchasing responsibilities for assigned key product categories across North America.
• Partner with Demand Planning to understand optimal inventory levels and align purchase decisions to forecasted needs.
• Generate purchase orders accurately and in a timely manner to support operational requirements.
• Monitor order status, ensure timely delivery of goods and services, and resolve discrepancies to minimize disruptions.
• Maintain accurate purchasing data, documentation, and system records to support reporting and audit readiness.

Inventory, Demand Support, and Market Analysis

• Assist in managing inventory levels to balance product availability, carrying costs, excess inventory, and shortages.
• Track inventory movement, investigate variances, and coordinate with the Demand Planner to improve inventory accuracy.
• Monitor market trends, pricing, and product availability to inform purchasing decisions.
• Recommend alternative suppliers or products to the Director of Sourcing to mitigate risk and control costs.
• Support cost reduction, value improvement, and process improvement initiatives across the supply chain.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to align procurement activities with business needs, priorities, and issue resolution.

Other Duties

• Perform other duties as assigned from time to time.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Experience using ERP, purchasing, and forecasting systems to support procurement activity.
• Strong data entry accuracy, reporting discipline, and ability to maintain clean purchasing records.
• Basic to intermediate analytical, problem-solving, and root-cause investigation skills.
• Working knowledge of procurement, purchasing, supplier management, and order management processes.
• Understanding of inventory management principles, demand planning inputs, lead times, and service-level impacts.
• Ability to communicate clearly with suppliers and internal stakeholders to resolve issues and support timely execution.
• Basic market analysis skills, including reviewing pricing trends, product availability, and supplier options.

KEY COMPETENCIES:

• Purchasing execution and purchase order accuracy
• Supplier sourcing, negotiation, and relationship management
• Inventory planning support and demand alignment
• ERP data accuracy, documentation, and reporting discipline
• Market awareness, cost control, and supplier risk identification
• Cross-functional communication and issue resolution
• Process improvement mindset within procurement and supply chain workflows

SUCCESS MEASURES:

• Accurate and timely purchase order creation and maintenance
• Improved supplier performance related to on-time delivery, quality, cost, and lead times
• Effective support of inventory availability while minimizing excess, shortages, and carrying costs
• Documented cost savings, purchasing KPIs, supplier risks, and mitigation actions
• Strong collaboration with Demand Planning, Sourcing, and internal stakeholders
• Consistent compliance with purchasing policies, supplier terms, and documentation expectations

BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES:

• Pays close attention to quality standards
• Follows through with established requirements
• Works well with clearly defined structures
• Is highly attentive to details
• Carefully follows rules and regulations
• Collaborates comfortably with different groups of people
• Makes efficient use of existing resources
• Is highly skilled and knowledgeable in specific areas

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Finance, or related field preferred.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience in procurement, purchasing, or supply chain.
• Experience in distribution, manufacturing, or industrial products preferred.
• Experience working with ERP systems and forecasting tools preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.