MRO Buyer (Materials, Repairs, and Operations)

New-Indy Containerboard•Cerritos, CA

4d•$80,000 - $95,000•Onsite

About The Position

The MRO Buyer is responsible for the strategic sourcing, purchasing, and inventory management of Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) materials, services, and supplies required for the corrugated converting division. This role supports maintenance reliability initiatives, ensures timely availability of critical parts, and helps maintain cost control in alignment with financial objectives. The MRO Buyer will work closely with maintenance, engineering, production, and finance teams to optimize vendor performance, streamline purchasing processes, and support plant uptime and efficiency.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Business, Industrial Engineering, or related field; or equivalent experience.
3+ years of purchasing or procurement experience, preferably in a manufacturing environment.
Knowledge of MRO materials, industrial equipment, and repair parts (corrugated converting industry experience a strong plus).
Strong negotiation, communication, and vendor management skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities with strong attention to detail and accuracy.
Understanding of purchasing controls, cost-saving strategies, and inventory management practices.
Ability to work collaboratively with maintenance, operations, and finance teams.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Microsoft Excel intermediate to advanced skills

Nice To Haves

Experience in the corrugated or paper converting industry.
Working knowledge of maintenance processes and equipment reliability concepts.

Responsibilities

Coordinate and execute the procurement of MRO parts, materials, and services to support equipment maintenance and operational reliability.
Manage supplier relationships, negotiate pricing, and monitor vendor performance for quality, cost, and delivery.
Maintain appropriate inventory levels and collaborate with stores/stockroom personnel to optimize reorder points and stock accuracy.
Ensure purchasing activities align with budget requirements and financial controls.
Support maintenance planning and scheduling efforts by ensuring required materials are procured in advance of planned work.
Evaluate and improve purchasing processes, cost-saving initiatives, and supplier consolidation efforts.
Ensure compliance with safety, quality, and organizational procurement policies
Process purchase requisitions and generate purchase orders for MRO materials.
Follow up with vendors on order status, lead times, and delivery confirmations.
Respond to urgent maintenance requests and expedite orders for critical parts.
Maintain accurate data in the purchasing and inventory systems (Encore/Maximo)
Communicate with maintenance technicians and supervisors regarding material availability
Review inventory levels and coordinate replenishment to avoid stockouts.
Participate in maintenance planning and scheduling meetings.
Review open purchase orders, address delays, and adjust priorities as needed.
Evaluate vendor performance and work with suppliers to resolve service issues.
Identify and implement opportunities for small-scale cost savings or process improvements.
Conduct cycle counts or inventory audits in partnership with the stockroom team.
Prepare purchasing activity reports, including cost trends, variances, and savings opportunities.
Review and update preferred vendor lists and contract terms.
Assist Finance in month-end closures by reconciling purchase orders and addressing discrepancies.
Support budget reviews and forecast planning for MRO spend.
Source new vendors and evaluate supplier capabilities for specialized parts or services.
Assist with capital project purchases as assigned by maintenance or engineering leadership.
Participate in cross-functional meetings to support operational improvement initiatives.
Handle emergency procurement situations during equipment breakdowns.
Review and update internal purchasing policies and documentation.