Buyer (Contractual Role)

Role and Responsibilities:

• Manage daily purchasing activities for raw materials to support production schedules
• Review and validate MRP requirements to ensure demand accuracy and appropriate purchase order placement
• Analyze material demand, supply signals, and inventory levels to identify potential shortages and supply risks
• Develop and execute mitigation plans for material shortages in collaboration with commodity managers and material planning teams
• Expedite supplier deliveries and follow up on open orders to prevent production disruptions
• Work closely with Material Planning, Production, Engineering, and Quality teams to ensure material availability and supply continuity
• Maintain optimal inventory levels while minimizing excess and obsolete inventory
• Communicate with suppliers regarding lead times, delivery schedules, shortages, and recovery plans
• Support supplier performance improvement and escalation management when supply issues arise
• Maintain accurate purchasing data and updates within ERP/MRP systems
• Support product transitions, supplier changes, and phase-in/phase-out planning

Skills and Experience:

• Bachelors degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, Operations, or related field preferred
• 2+ years of buyer or purchasing experience in a manufacturing environment preferred
• Strong understanding of MRP systems, procurement processes, and supply planning
• Ability to analyze demand signals, identify supply gaps, and drive corrective actions
• Experience working with ERP/MRP systems (SAP, Oracle, or similar)
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration abilities
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office applications
• Experience reading and understanding manufacturing BOMs (Preferred)
• Knowledge of production planning and inventory control processes (Preferred)
• APICS/CPIM certification is a plus