Buyer

Taylor Communications•North Mankato, MN

About The Position

Corporate Graphics Commercial, a subsidiary of Taylor Corporation, is seeking a Buyer to join its team in North Mankato, Minnesota. The Buyer independently manages procurement for moderately complex outsourced products, professional services, and operational services. The role develops sourcing approaches, solicits and evaluates supplier proposals, negotiates pricing and commercial terms within delegated authority, issues purchase orders, and monitors supplier performance. The Buyer works with internal stakeholders to balance cost, quality, delivery, service, compliance, and business risk, while identifying savings and process-improvement opportunities. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship. The anticipated annual salary range is $55,000–$65,000. Actual base salary depends on factors including qualifications, relevant experience, skills, education, certifications or licenses, and location. Taylor describes its benefits package as comprehensive. The company is an equal opportunity employer.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, business, finance, operations, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
2+ years of experience in purchasing, sourcing, procurement, supply chain, contract administration, or a related function.
Experience soliciting quotations or proposals, evaluating supplier responses, and managing purchase orders.
Working knowledge of supplier negotiations, basic contract terms, total-cost considerations, and supplier performance management.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Outlook, and Word, and experience using an enterprise resource planning or procure-to-pay system.
Strong analytical, organizational, communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, exercise sound judgment, and work independently within established authority.
Must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Experience purchasing outsourced manufacturing, contingent labor, professional services, facilities services, logistics, technology services, marketing services, or other indirect spend categories.
Experience with competitive sourcing events, statement-of-work procurement, supplier scorecards, or contract renewals.
Knowledge of procurement compliance, third-party risk, confidentiality, data protection, or supplier diversity practices.
Professional procurement or supply chain coursework or certification.

Responsibilities

Manage purchase requests and purchase orders for assigned outsourced product and service categories in accordance with procurement policies, approved contracts, and delegated authority.
Partner with business stakeholders to clarify scope, specifications, service levels, timelines, budgets, and evaluation criteria.
Develop and execute requests for quotation or proposal for moderately complex purchases; analyze supplier responses and recommend awards based on total value and risk.
Negotiate pricing, lead times, service levels, payment terms, and other routine commercial terms within established guidelines.
Review supplier agreements and statements of work for alignment with approved requirements, routing nonstandard legal, privacy, security, insurance, or risk provisions for appropriate review.
Monitor open orders, milestones, renewals, delivery commitments, and supplier performance; proactively address delays, quality concerns, service issues, and invoice discrepancies.
Build effective relationships with suppliers and internal partners and lead routine supplier performance discussions.
Analyze spend, pricing, demand, supplier capability, and market information to identify savings, consolidation, risk reduction, and service improvement opportunities.
Support supplier selection, onboarding, due diligence, documentation, and ongoing compliance requirements.
Maintain accurate purchasing, contract, supplier, pricing, and performance data in applicable systems.
Prepare reports and communicate sourcing results, savings, risks, and supplier performance to stakeholders and procurement leadership.
Provide guidance to Buyer I employees on routine purchasing processes and serve as a procurement resource for business partners.
Participate in cross-functional sourcing initiatives and continuous improvement projects.
Perform other related duties as assigned.