Commodity Indirect Buyer

Progress Rail•Winston-Salem, NC

4d•$57,538 - $106,440

About The Position

The Buyer creates and tracks purchase orders for indirect materials and services across multiple Progress Rail locations. The role negotiates with suppliers to secure best cost and cycle and serves as a point of contact for resolving purchasing issues. The position develops and executes sourcing and category management strategies; leads RFQs, supplier evaluations, negotiations, and contract awards; and identifies cost reduction, value improvement, productivity, and cash flow opportunities. It manages strategic supplier relationships and performance reviews, analyzes spend and market and supplier trends, negotiates commercial terms to mitigate risk and maximize value, and collaborates with cross-functional stakeholders. The Buyer uses procurement systems and analytics to improve compliance, visibility, and operational performance, while managing multiple projects and responding to changing priorities and urgent operational needs. The position typically works in a standard office environment, with occasional work in non-temperature-controlled or industrial facilities. Travel may be required 5% of the time. This safety-sensitive role may require personal protective equipment and occasional exposure to noise, cold and temperature changes, hazardous materials, heavy equipment, dust, and other hazardous conditions during industrial visits or safety investigations.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Supply Chain, or a related field; a comparable combination of education and years of experience will be considered.
Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to listen and communicate at all organizational levels.
Advanced Excel and reporting skills.
Experience with SAP, LN, and BAAN.
Negotiation skills with demonstrated savings in the current position.
Familiarity with shop supplies and equipment.
Proficiency in the MS Office Suite, including Word and PowerPoint.
Analytical problem-solving skills, attention to detail, organization, and time management skills.
Ability to handle multiple tasks, work flexibly as a team player, switch to urgent needs, and return to follow-up on other projects.
Ability to perform standard repetitive motions and hand/eye coordination associated with office communications; occasional physical activity may include bending, lifting, standing, climbing, kneeling, crouching, and walking.
Ability to meet the role's communication and safety-sensitive work demands, including occasional industrial environment visits.

Nice To Haves

Lean Six Sigma training or certification.
Experience with the Coupa software suite.
Experience with purchasing processes and policies.
Experience negotiating national contracts.

Responsibilities

Create and track purchase orders for indirect materials and services across multiple locations.
Negotiate with suppliers to secure best cost and cycle and resolve purchasing issues.
Develop and execute sourcing and category management strategies.
Lead RFQs, supplier evaluations, negotiations, and contract awards.
Identify and implement cost reduction and value improvement opportunities.
Build and manage strategic supplier relationships and performance reviews.
Analyze spend, market conditions, and supplier trends to support business decisions.
Negotiate pricing, contracts, and commercial terms to mitigate risk and maximize value.
Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to support business objectives and procurement initiatives.
Use procurement systems and analytics to improve compliance, visibility, and operational performance.
Identify, execute, and track productivity related to cost reduction and cash flow improvement.
Manage multiple projects while responding to changing priorities and urgent operational needs.
Conduct audits and reporting involving protected and private information.
Use personal protective equipment in industrial environments and, when needed, investigate and mitigate accidents or incidents.

Benefits

Competitive salary.
401(k) plan with up to 6% company match, immediate vesting, and no waiting period.
Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
Supplemental accident, critical care, and hospital insurance.
HDHP and HSA with seed money.
Flexible Spending Accounts.
Paid vacation.
Paid holidays.
Paid time off (PTO).
Employee Assistance Plan.
Education Assistance Program.
Employee Recognition Programs.
Site-specific production and incentive plans.
Site-specific step and skill level wage adjustment plans.
Site-specific relocation and sign-on bonus programs.