Senior Buyer

Penn Engineering • Tonawanda, NY

1d

About The Position

The Senior Buyer leads the development and execution of procurement strategies that support production, cost savings, quality standards, and operational efficiency. The role owns key supplier relationships, leads complex contract negotiations, monitors market trends, and proactively mitigates supply chain risks. It serves as a subject matter expert and may mentor junior buyers while driving strategic sourcing initiatives, reducing total cost of ownership, and ensuring uninterrupted material availability in support of enterprise business objectives. The Senior Buyer operates with a high degree of autonomy and partners directly with senior leadership on sourcing strategy and supply continuity planning.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, or a related field.
• At least 8 years of progressive purchasing or procurement experience, including ownership of strategic sourcing initiatives.
• Advanced negotiation, communication, and supplier relationship management skills, with a track record of leading high-value or complex negotiations.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems; JD Edwards is preferred.
• Strong analytical skills and a data-driven approach to decision-making.
• Knowledge of sourcing strategies, contract terms, and total cost of ownership principles.
• Ability to influence and align cross-functional stakeholders, including senior leadership, around sourcing strategy.
• Experience consolidating shipments and optimizing freight to reduce landed costs.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and a solution-oriented mindset.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated experience mentoring or informally leading junior buyers or sourcing team members.
• Willingness to travel up to 10% for supplier visits, audits, and industry events.

Nice To Haves

• An advanced degree.
• Manufacturing buying experience, especially sourcing direct materials, production components, or raw materials in a manufacturing or industrial setting.
• C.P.M., APICS, or CPSM certification.
• Experience with Microsoft Suite products, particularly Excel.
• International sourcing or import/export knowledge.
• Experience managing Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead sourcing strategies for direct and indirect materials and/or services, including manufacturing production components and raw materials.
• Negotiate pricing, terms, and complex, longer-term supplier agreements to meet cost, quality, and delivery objectives.
• Schedule and execute purchasing activities to ensure material availability while minimizing inventory, and serve as an escalation point for complex or high-risk sourcing decisions.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, and Operations to qualify alternate materials and suppliers and reduce total costs.
• Manage supplier performance through scorecards, audits, and ongoing evaluations, driving corrective action plans where needed.
• Resolve complex supply issues, delays, or discrepancies with vendors and internal teams, including production-impacting escalations.
• Prepare purchase orders and maintain accurate ERP data, including pricing, minimum order quantities, and terms.
• Monitor market trends, identify emerging risks or opportunities, and adjust sourcing strategies accordingly.
• Provide procurement leadership with strategic recommendations on cost-saving initiatives, supplier diversification, and supply continuity planning.
• Mentor and guide junior buyers, sharing best practices in negotiation, supplier management, and sourcing strategy.
• Consolidate shipments and optimize freight to reduce landed costs.
• Travel up to 10% for supplier visits, audits, and industry events.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior