Buyer

Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc.•Springfield, MA

13d•$46,320 - $75,700•Hybrid

About The Position

Under the direction of the Procurement Category Manager, the Buyer is responsible for managing the procurement of production and development materials, components, and services that support new product development and manufacturing operations. This role requires a proactive, detail-oriented professional who can effectively manage supplier relationships, purchase order execution, understands inventory parameters, and sourcing activities while ensuring optimal quality, delivery, cost, and service performance. The Buyer works closely with Engineering, Planning, Manufacturing, Quality, Accounting, and Supply Chain teams to ensure material availability, support product launches, and help support continuous improvement throughout the supply chain.

Requirements

Extensive ERP/MRP experience is required.
3-5 years of procurement, purchasing, supply chain, manufacturing, or related experience required.
Understanding of procurement processes, supplier contracts, and commercial terms.
Experience working in a manufacturing environment.
Strong ERP/MRP system experience required.
Experience with purchase order management, supplier relationship management, and sourcing activities required.
Experience and knowledge with metal injection molded, springs, metal stampings, plastic injection molding and machining and subcontract suppliers.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong organizational and time management abilities.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Effective problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Strong negotiation and influencing skills.
Ability to build collaborative relationships across all levels of the organization.
Takes ownership and accountability for results.
Customer-focused with a strong sense of urgency.
Highly detail-oriented and accurate.
Ethical, trustworthy, and professional.
Self-motivated with a continuous improvement mindset.
Ambitious with a desire to learn and grow.
Comfortable working independently while contributing to team success.
Willing to engage directly with internal stakeholders and shop floor personnel to resolve issues.

Nice To Haves

SAP experience is strongly preferred.
Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations Management, Finance, or a related field preferred.
Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.
Experience supporting Engineering or New Product Development activities preferred.

Responsibilities

Manage the day-to-day performance of a group of suppliers
Maintain strong supplier relationships and act as the primary point of contact
Monitor supplier capacity to proactively identify and mitigate supply risks.
Support new supplier onboarding
Support supplier development initiatives and continuous improvement efforts.
Create, maintain, and manage purchase orders within the ERP system.
Ensure timely order placement and delivery to support new product launches and inventory objectives.
Report delivery status, issues and propose solutions
Develop and issue Requests for Quotation (RFQs) and Requests for Proposal (RFPs).
Analyze supplier quotations and make sourcing recommendations based on cost, quality, capacity, lead time, and risk considerations.
Negotiate pricing, delivery schedules, and commercial terms when appropriate.
Work closely with Engineering teams to support prototype, pre-production, and production launch activities for purchase and subcontract requirements.
Participate in supporting new product introduction (NPI) and continuous improvement initiatives.
Escalate critical supply issues and drive resolution through cross-functional teams.