Senior Buyer

Kadant Johnson • Three Rivers, MI

2d • Onsite

About The Position

As a Senior Buyer at Kadant Johnson, you’ll manage supplier relationships and purchasing practices that support efficient manufacturing operations and successful project execution for Systems and Services. You’ll work across the organization to improve material management, supplier performance, communication, and the processes connecting the supply base with business needs.

Working closely with suppliers, R&D, Engineering, Manufacturing, Commercial, and Accounting, you’ll combine strategic sourcing with hands-on purchasing, materials coordination, and project support. Your work will help ensure raw materials and purchased parts meet specifications, arrive when needed, and deliver the best total value.

The role is based in Three Rivers, Michigan, and reports to the Director of Supply Chain. It includes travel of up to 10% as required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Business Administration, or a related field preferred, or an associate degree with 10 or more years of purchasing experience.
• 3–10 years of purchasing experience.
• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively independently and across teams.
• Ability to read technical drawings, identify key characteristics, and understand their impact on product design and cost while developing knowledge of Kadant Johnson products and assigned commodities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, with the ability to learn and effectively use ERP systems and contribute to system and process improvements.
• Collaborative approach, high ethical standards, and willingness to take ownership of day-to-day responsibilities and longer-term improvements.
• Willingness to travel up to 10% as required.

Nice To Haves

• Experience supporting supplier coordination, quotations, pricing, delivery management, and project-related workflows.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain supplier partnerships, evaluate new suppliers when needed, and lead negotiations supporting quality, delivery, pricing, and Supply Agreements.
• Develop and carry out commodity strategies, identify supply chain risks, and pursue alternative sourcing solutions to reduce business impact locally and globally.
• Review material requirements planning messages, issue purchase orders, manage open orders, maintain pricing records, and resolve supplier quality, pricing, and quantity discrepancies.
• Support procurement and project delivery through specification review, supplier coordination, quotations, pricing, delivery follow-up, and project workflow coordination in EPICOR.
• Create and maintain accurate item master records, part numbers, and bills of materials, and coordinate drawing requests and engineering changes across internal teams.
• Lead or participate in cost reduction, process improvement, and ERP enhancements supporting daily operations and future project workflows, including Corrugating team initiatives.
• Provide backup support for planning and scheduling activities as needed, and share system knowledge and best practices with other Kadant entities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree