Buyer

Aston Carter•Randolph, WI

12d•$33 - $36•Onsite

About The Position

The Buyer oversees the end-to-end purchasing process, from the intent to purchase through delivery of products, ensuring accurate and timely reconciliation of purchase orders, receipts, and invoices. This role focuses on direct purchasing within a manufacturing environment, driving inventory optimization, supporting cross-functional teams, and contributing to continuous improvement initiatives across the supply chain. The position offers the opportunity to grow into more senior or leadership roles as the company continues to expand.

Requirements

Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in a purchasing or supply chain position, preferably within a discrete manufacturing environment.
Strong background in direct purchasing within a manufacturing industry.
Robust experience with MRP and ERP systems, with prior work in SAP or another ERP platform strongly preferred.
Ability to manage purchase orders, receipts, and invoices with high accuracy and attention to detail.
Experience in inventory planning and optimization, including forecasts, safety stock, Kanban quantities, and order quantities.
Ability to create and manage RFQs and RFPs, review bids and quotes, and make recommendations based on quoting analysis.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including advanced skills in Excel and strong skills in Word and Teams.
Capability to interact effectively with engineering, supplier quality, materials management, accounting/finance, and operations teams.
Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify issues, analyze information, and propose effective solutions.
Demonstrated ability to work as a key contributor in group problem-solving and cross-functional initiatives.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree preferred, ideally in Supply Chain Management, Operations, or Engineering.
Experience with lean manufacturing tools and principles is preferred.
Experience with indirect purchasing is a plus.
background in inventory management, negotiation, and sourcing is beneficial.
Familiarity with reading and working with engineering drawings and specifications, with the ability to further develop this skill on the job.
Strong communication and relationship-building skills for effective supplier relationship management.
Ability to support strategic sourcing initiatives and supplier selection processes.
Interest in career growth, with potential advancement into senior or leadership roles as the organization grows.

Responsibilities

Execute all activities related to the management of purchase orders from initial intent to purchase through delivery of product, including reconciliation of purchase orders, receipts, and invoices.
Expedite and defer goods and services as required, working directly with suppliers to ensure prompt and accurate delivery of materials.
Collaborate with buyer/planners and other stakeholders to expedite material and update the ERP system to reflect accurate delivery dates.
Identify and execute inventory optimization initiatives to ensure appropriate inventory levels and planning accuracy, including reviewing and calculating forecasts, safety stocks, Kanban quantities, and order quantities.
Create and manage requests for quotation (RFQ) and requests for proposal (RFP), including defining scope of work, reviewing bid proposals and quotes, and making recommendations based on quoting analysis.
Maintain required purchasing records such as quotes, price lists, blanket order files, and supplier correspondence.
Review and execute engineering notifications and drawing changes, and interact with cross-functional teams including supplier quality, materials management, engineering, accounting/finance, and operations.
Manage supplier relationships by working with suppliers to support continuity of supply and continuous improvement of cost, quality, and delivery.
Collaborate with commodity management and strategic sourcing processes to help select suppliers based on the best combination of cost, capability, quality, reliability, and delivery, and support changes to the supply base with minimal disruption to operations when applicable.
Proactively seek cost reduction opportunities within the supplier base and contribute ideas for savings and efficiency.
Report agreed-upon key performance indicators (KPIs), action plans, and cost reduction results in a timely and accurate manner, in coordination with supply chain leadership.
Manage assigned action plans utilizing lean manufacturing principles to support continuous improvement in purchasing and supply chain processes.
Participate as a team member in supplier assessments at facilities to review business practices, quality of operations, and opportunities for continuous improvement when required.
Identify and resolve problems in a timely manner, demonstrating strong analytical and decision-making skills.
Gather and analyze information to propose alternative solutions and support data-driven decision making.
Serve as a key contributor in group problem-solving situations, collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.