Associate Buyer

Well Enterprises • Le Mars, IA

11h

About The Position

The Associate Buyer strategically and tactically manages supplier relationships, negotiates with suppliers, and executes agreements for assigned categories, with guidance and oversight. The role identifies and develops suppliers to meet or exceed Wells’ total cost of ownership expectations, including cost, delivery, quality, innovation, and continuous improvement, while optimizing synergies with vendors and internal customers.

The Associate Buyer works with the Sr. Sourcing Manager to negotiate, create, and execute supplier contracts; manage total cost of ownership; support day-to-day supplier and internal-customer needs; maintain purchasing data; and develop sourcing strategies aligned with the broader Wells organization. The role also supports process improvements, invoice reconciliation, and compliance with company policies and the Code of Conduct.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Purchasing preferred, or equivalent of 2 years of procurement experience.
• Minimum of 2 years of full-time professional experience in a purchasing environment.
• Knowledge of purchasing and supply chain.
• Effective oral and written communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to negotiate effectively.
• Problem-solving, quantitative, attention-to-detail, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to work across all functions and organizational levels.
• Proven project management skills and demonstrable process implementation ability.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Purchasing.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate, create, and execute supplier contracts through formal and informal RFP and bidding processes, following spend authority guidelines and working with the Sr. Sourcing Manager.
• Identify, modify, develop, and implement processes or process improvements that streamline workflows and align with company policies.
• Manage total cost of ownership by collecting and analyzing data, solving problems, making recommendations, communicating, and executing accordingly.
• Manage day-to-day relationships with key suppliers and internal customers, including ordering, communicating demand, volume, and delivery changes, resolving issues, sharing end-user feedback, and following up on back orders.
• Assist Accounts Payable with invoice reconciliation and engage and coach originating departments as appropriate.
• Oversee and approve MROP part-number requests through the New Item Request system, review databases for duplicates, maintain purchasing data and recommended suppliers, and ensure commodity performance.
• Develop sourcing strategies for assigned categories and items in alignment with the broader Wells organization.
• Maintain knowledge of and comply with applicable corporate policies, procedures, and the Code of Conduct.
• Develop knowledge of suppliers’ capabilities, core competencies, strengths, and weaknesses.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits supporting health and financial wellness.
• Paid time off (PTO).
• Eligible employees may receive an annual incentive bonus based on company performance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level