Buyer

Takasago International Corporation U S A•Teterboro, NJ

About The Position

The Buyer is responsible for ensuring uninterrupted material supply through effective supplier management, purchase order execution, demand alignment, and inventory support. The position serves as the primary operational contact for suppliers, driving timely order confirmations, resolving supply issues, managing past-due orders, and mitigating material risks that could affect production or customer demand. The role reviews material requirements, creates and maintains purchase orders, monitors shortages, uses SAP tools to assess supply risks, and partners with Strategic Procurement on MRP and sourcing concerns. It also develops receiving schedules, balances warehouse capacity, and identifies opportunities to improve operational efficiency through optimized ordering and supplier coordination. The Buyer works with suppliers and internal partners to support forecasts and production plans, maintain documentation and compliance, and resolve operational issues. The role owns the weekly Buyer KPI process and collaborates with the Manager and Strategic Procurement on projects and continuous improvement initiatives. The position requires regular use of a telephone and computer, as well as frequent standing, walking, and sitting, sometimes for extended periods. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. The Buyer must follow applicable safety, health, and environmental policies and procedures, including consistent application of ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 standards within the role’s scope.

Requirements

Minimum 2 years of purchasing experience.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
Strong customer service orientation and ability to build productive supplier relationships.
Strong organization, follow-up, and prioritization skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, adapt quickly to changing demand, and work effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
Working knowledge of forecasting, MRP parameters, and inventory impact.
Willingness to work overtime as business needs require.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree in Business, Materials Management, or a related field preferred.
Experience in the Flavor & Fragrance industry or a related manufacturing environment is strongly preferred.
SAP experience is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Serve as the daily operational liaison for suppliers and resolve concerns quickly to minimize production disruption.
Ensure suppliers confirm purchase orders within 48 hours of release; resolve exceptions and protect demand fulfillment.
Manage past-due purchase orders, drive resolution with suppliers, and escalate when necessary.
Act on the Buyer Exception Report to address risks and support demand requirements.
Build and maintain supplier relationships that support daily operations and long-term procurement needs.
Ensure supplier documentation and compliance processes are followed.
Review and analyze purchase requirements daily to support demand forecasts and production plans.
Create, maintain, and release purchase orders based on raw material requirements driven by the Demand Plan.
Communicate material shortages proactively and use SAP availability tools to assess supply position and mitigate risk.
Identify and escalate MRP parameter concerns to Strategic Purchasing.
Maintain an understanding of forecast drivers, MRP parameters, and their impact on inventory.
Develop and maintain the monthly receiving schedule based on forecasted requirements, incoming receipt flow, and consolidated supplier orders.
Run and review capacity reports and adjust the receiving schedule to balance workload and maintain efficiency.
Optimize purchase order timing and consolidation to reduce delivery-related expenses and improve receiving efficiency.
Create, review, and resolve the weekly Buyer KPI Report and associated performance measures.
Collaborate with the Manager and Strategic Procurement on special projects and continuous improvement initiatives.
Adhere to documentation, procurement, and operational processes.
Comply with applicable safety, health, and environmental policies, procedures, and protocols, including ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 standards.
Use a telephone and computer regularly and perform frequent standing, walking, and sitting, sometimes for extended periods.