Log and Lumber Buyer

Industrial Pallet Corp • Mitchell, IN

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

We don’t just buy lumber—we build partnerships, ensure supply reliability, and drive operational excellence across our plants. This role involves being on the road 5 days a week meeting with suppliers and building relationships. The office base is out of Mitchell, IN, with a territory covering Southern Indiana and Northern Kentucky. The position is 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. The ideal candidate must be highly organized and disciplined in managing suppliers, pricing, and follow-through, earning trust through consistency, communication, and doing what they say they’ll do. Strong negotiation skills are required to balance cost, quality, and supply reliability.

Requirements

• 10 years in purchasing, procurement, or supply chain
• 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

• 5+ years lumber/wood industry preferred
• 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: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed