Buyer - Manufacturing

Viking Engineering and Development•Blaine, MN

1d•$65,000 - $77,000•Onsite

About The Position

Build the Future With a Team That Builds Excellence At Viking Engineering & Development, we don't just manufacture machinery - we craft solutions and long‑term partnerships. For over 50 years, Viking has been the global leader in automated wood fastening systems, trusted for our innovation, craftsmanship, and unwavering commitment to customer success. Now, we're growing - and we're looking for a driven, detail‑oriented Buyer to join our team and help keep our production operations running at the highest level of quality and efficiency. If you thrive in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment, enjoy building strong supplier relationships, and want to be part of a collaborative, family‑oriented culture, this is the role for you. ⭐ Why You'll Love Working at Viking Be part of an industry leader with a global footprint. Join a team where your work directly impacts production success. Enjoy a culture built on trust, craftsmanship, and long‑term relationships. Help source the materials that power the high‑performance equipment Viking is known for. ⭐ What You'll Do As a Buyer, you'll play a critical role in keeping our production lines running smoothly by securing the materials, components, and services needed to build Viking's world‑class machinery.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or equivalent.
2-5 years of purchasing experience in a manufacturing or industrial setting.
Hands‑on experience with ERP/MRP systems (Kinetic, SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, etc.).
Strong negotiation, communication, and analytical skills.
Solid understanding of supply chain processes, inventory management, and production workflows.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, Teams).
Exceptional organization and attention to detail.

Nice To Haves

Professional certifications such as CPM, CPSM, CPIM, or CSCP.
Experience with lean manufacturing or continuous improvement.
Familiarity with commodity markets (metals, plastics, electronics, etc.).

Responsibilities

Source, evaluate, and select suppliers based on quality, cost, capability, and delivery.
Request quotes, negotiate pricing and terms, and issue purchase orders.
Build strong, reliable supplier partnerships.
Maintain optimal inventory levels to avoid shortages or excess.
Analyze usage, lead times, and demand forecasts using production schedules.
Collaborate daily with production, planning, and warehouse teams to ensure material readiness.
Monitor supplier performance (quality, delivery, responsiveness).
Lead supplier reviews and improvement initiatives.
Partner with Quality and Engineering to qualify new suppliers and materials.
Identify cost‑saving opportunities through negotiation and sourcing strategies.
Provide accurate cost data for budgeting and forecasting.
Ensure adherence to company policies and industry regulations.
Maintain accurate records, contracts, and documentation.
Support audits and continuous improvement efforts.
Conduct daily work in alignment with Viking's Core Values and quality system procedures.
Purchase order administration and accuracy
Vendor performance oversight
Manufacturing build support
Sales and service support