Log and Lumber Buyer

Industrial Pallet Corp • Lafayette, IN

7d • Onsite

About The Position

We don’t just buy lumber—we build partnerships, ensure supply reliability, and drive operational excellence across our plants.
· On the road 5 days a week meeting with suppliers and building relationships
· Office base out of Mitchell, IN, with a territory covering Southern Indiana and Northern Kentucky
· Responsible for managing and growing supplier partnerships across the region
· This is not a transactional buying role — success comes from building long-term trust, not chasing quick deals
· Must be highly organized and disciplined in managing suppliers, pricing, and follow-through
· Earn trust through consistency, communication, and doing what you say you’ll do
· Strong negotiation skills required — balancing cost, quality, and supply reliability
You’re someone who builds relationships, takes ownership, and gets things done.
You understand this role sits at the intersection of people, pricing, and production. You don’t wait for problems—you get ahead of them.
You’re comfortable in the field, confident in conversations, and steady under pressure.

Requirements

• 10 years in purchasing, procurement, or supply chain (5+ years lumber/wood industry preferred)
• Strong negotiation and relationship-building skills
• Ability to analyze pricing, trends, and supply dynamics
• High level of ownership and follow-through
• Comfortable working across multiple locations and teams

Nice To Haves

• Experience in lumber, sawmills, or wood products
• Understanding of logistics, freight, and supply chain coordination
• Ability to operate both strategically and tactically

Responsibilities

• Source and purchase lumber to support production across multiple plants
• Develop and maintain relationships with sawmills and lumber suppliers
• Negotiate pricing, terms, and contracts to ensure competitive advantage
• Monitor market trends, pricing fluctuations, and supply risks
• Build long-term partnerships with key vendors
• Hold suppliers accountable for quality, delivery, and consistency
• Identify and onboard new suppliers to reduce risk and increase flexibility
• Collaborate with plant managers and production teams to forecast needs
• Ensure consistent supply to avoid downtime or production delays
• Balance inventory levels with cost efficiency
• Track purchasing data, pricing trends, and supplier performance
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and process improvements
• Utilize systems and data to drive better decision-making

Benefits

• Full-time, stable employment
• Company vehicle all expenses paid
• Opportunity to grow skills and advance within IPC
• People-first culture built on Attitude, Respect, and Effort
• 401(k) + Matching
• Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• Disability and AD&D Coverage
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Paid Time Off

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees