Associate Buyer

H C DUKE & SON LLC•East Moline, IL

4d•$50,000 - $65,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Buyer supports manufacturing operations by purchasing materials, components, and services needed to meet production and customer requirements. This position reviews purchasing recommendations, creates and maintains purchase orders, communicates with suppliers regarding deliveries, and works closely with production, planning, engineering, and inventory teams to ensure material availability. The Associate Buyer develops knowledge of procurement and supply chain processes while supporting cost, quality, and delivery objectives.

Requirements

Understanding of procurement and supply chain principles.
Customer service skills.
Ability to build effective working relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
Organizational and time management skills with attention to detail.
Critical thinking, using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Effective and professional communication with stakeholders, whether in person, via phone or email.
Associate degree or bachelor's degree in business, Supply Chain, Operations, Finance, Manufacturing Technology, or a related field.
Relevant coursework, certification, or training in purchasing, procurement, logistics, inventory management, or business administration.
Equivalent experience in purchasing, customer service, inventory control, production planning, logistics, inside sales, or a related manufacturing support role.
One to three years of experience in purchasing, procurement, inventory control, customer service, logistics, production planning, manufacturing administration, or a related role preferred.
Experience working in a manufacturing environment preferred.
Experience using an ERP system, such as SAP, preferred.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.

Responsibilities

Review SAP-generated purchasing recommendations and create purchase orders as needed.
Monitor open purchase orders and follow up with suppliers to ensure on-time delivery.
Communicate supplier shortages, delays, and other material concerns to internal stakeholders, escalating as needed.
Maintain accurate purchasing records in SAP, including lead-time, minimum order quantities, pricing, and supplier information.
Work closely with production, planning, inventory, and engineering teams to support manufacturing requirements.
Assist with supplier performance tracking and reporting.
Support supplier quality issue resolution through coordination with suppliers and internal teams.
Assist with obtaining supplier quotations and evaluating sourcing options.
Participate in inventory and cost-control initiatives.
Learn and support strategic sourcing and supplier management activities.
Perform other duties as assigned.