Jr. Buyer

Travis Association for the Blind/Austin Lighthouse•Austin, TX

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Jr. Buyer supports the purchasing team by managing purchase orders, coordinating vendor deliveries, and assisting with inventory management to prevent supply disruption. This role contributes to smooth day-to-day purchasing operations and the overall health of the supply chain by maintaining accurate records, supporting supplier relationships, and ensuring materials are available to meet production and customer requirements. Austin Lighthouse for the Blind is a non-profit organization founded in 1934 to provide opportunities for economic and personal independence for people who are blind, visually impaired, or deaf blind. Our Core Values guide us in everything we do: LIGHT: Leadership, Integrity, Growth & Innovation, Heart, and Teamwork.

Requirements

Working knowledge of procurement and purchasing processes, including order management and supplier coordination.
Ability to communicate effectively with internal teams and external suppliers regarding orders, pricing, and delivery.
Ability to process purchase orders accurately and track deliveries to ensure timely fulfillment.
High degree of accuracy in handling orders, data entry, and documentation.
Ability to manage multiple tasks, orders, and deadlines concurrently.
Ability to support pricing discussions and cost control activities under supervision.
Ability to extract and analyze purchasing data to identify discrepancies or trends.
Working knowledge of MRP/ERP systems and their application to purchasing, inventory management, and manufacturing.
Working knowledge of Lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies.
Working knowledge of ISO-9001 quality system requirements as they relate to materials and purchasing.
Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
Able to read, comprehend and understand information and ideas presented in writing or in alternative form.
Able to multitask, prioritize, and manage time efficiently.
Demonstrates sound work ethics.
Possesses cultural awareness and sensitivity.
Associate Degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations, Business, or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Minimum of 1-2 years of experience in purchasing, preferably in a manufacturing environment.
Exposure to an ISO-9001 quality system environment.
Experience with ERP Syteline or comparable platform.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's Degree in a related field, or currently in progress.
APICS CPIM or CSCP certification, or active pursuit of certification.

Responsibilities

Process and manage purchase orders for direct and indirect materials, ensuring accuracy and timely placement.
Track shipments and monitor delivery schedules to ensure on-time receipt of materials.
Coordinate with suppliers regarding order status, pricing, and delivery updates to maintain continuity of supply.
Maintain accurate purchasing records and documentation, including drop-shipment orders.
Partner with the purchasing team to identify and evaluate new product and vendor opportunities.
Support supplier selection and evaluation processes in coordination with lead buyer(s).
Assist with Request for Quotation (RFQ) processes, including data gathering and documentation.
Assist with total cost of ownership (TCO) calculations and pricing analysis under the direction of senior buyers.
Collaborate with Finance and Accounting to resolve price discrepancies and invoice issues.
Respond promptly to supply disruptions, coordinating with manufacturing and suppliers to minimize production impact.
Periodically review cost history and trends within assigned product categories.
Maintain and generate purchasing reports and analytics to support supply chain decision-making.
Complies with and assists other employees understand and comply with TAB's policies and procedures.
Behaves in accordance with the key behaviors aligned with TAB's Core Values of Leadership, Integrity, Growth & Innovation, Heart and Teamwork (LIGHT).
Other duties as assigned