Buyer

Aston Carter•Hendersonville, TN

12d•$60,000 - $70,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Buyer / Procurement Specialist manages supplier relationships and procures materials required to support production operations in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. This role balances quality, cost, delivery, and inventory objectives while collaborating closely with cross-functional teams to ensure material availability and uninterrupted production. The position plays a key part in driving supplier performance, inventory optimization, cost savings, and continuous improvement initiatives across the supply chain.

Requirements

At least 2 years of purchasing, procurement, or supply chain experience in a manufacturing environment.
Strong understanding of purchasing practices, inventory management, material planning, and supplier management.
Experience working within ERP/MRP systems.
Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and the Microsoft Office Suite.
Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and drive informed decisions.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
Effective problem-solving abilities with a proactive, solutions-focused approach.
Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to build and maintain relationships.
Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Strong sense of ownership and accountability for results.
Ability to build productive supplier and internal stakeholder relationships.
Data-driven decision-making skills and comfort working with metrics and KPIs.
Customer-focused mindset that balances service, cost, quality, and inventory objectives.
Continuous improvement mentality with a focus on efficiency and measurable outcomes.
Ability to remain calm and responsive when managing supply chain disruptions and production priorities.

Nice To Haves

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a related field.
Experience with Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations (D365 F&O).
Experience sourcing machined components, fabricated parts, and custom-manufactured products.
Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, and 80/20 methodologies.
Experience negotiating supplier pricing, lead times, contracts, and payment terms.
Experience in procurement and supply chain within a manufacturing environment.
Interest in internal growth and professional development opportunities.

Responsibilities

Procure raw materials, machined components, fabricated parts, finished goods, custom-manufactured products, and indirect materials to support production schedules.
Create, issue, manage, and track purchase orders from initiation through delivery, ensuring accuracy and timely fulfillment.
Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned suppliers and build strong, productive supplier partnerships.
Monitor supplier performance, including lead times, capacity, delivery commitments, and overall reliability.
Proactively address material shortages, delivery delays, and supply chain risks to protect production continuity.
Expedite critical orders when necessary and communicate recovery plans clearly to internal stakeholders.
Maintain inventory levels that support production requirements while minimizing excess and obsolete inventory.
Review and manage MRP recommendations, validating demand requirements, order quantities, and supplier lead times.
Support inventory accuracy initiatives and participate in annual physical inventory activities.
Partner with Planning, Production, Engineering, and Customer Service teams to resolve material availability issues and production constraints.
Identify and implement cost-saving opportunities through supplier negotiations, sourcing strategies, and inventory optimization.
Support supplier scorecards, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance supplier performance.
Assess supplier risk and develop contingency plans to minimize business disruptions and protect customer service.
Drive process improvements aligned with Lean Manufacturing and 80/20 principles to improve efficiency and reduce waste.
Support and track key performance indicators related to supplier performance, inventory health, material availability, and purchase price variance.
Maintain accurate purchasing and supplier data within Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations (D365 F&O).
Ensure supplier pricing, lead times, order parameters, and purchasing records remain current and reliable.
Analyze purchasing, inventory, and supplier data to support informed, data-driven business decisions.
Demonstrate a strong sense of ownership and accountability for purchasing outcomes and supplier performance.
Build effective relationships with internal stakeholders and maintain a customer-focused mindset that balances service, cost, quality, and inventory objectives.
Apply a continuous improvement mentality with a focus on efficiency, measurable results, and process enhancement.
Remain calm, responsive, and solutions-oriented when managing supply chain disruptions and shifting production priorities.