Senior Buyer

Knight Material Technologies LLC•East Canton, OH

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Buyer is responsible for leading advanced procurement activities, driving strategic sourcing initiatives, and optimizing materials planning to support manufacturing and project services. This role acts as a key partner to the Materials Manager, collaborating with the Buyer and cross-functional teams to ensure cost-effective, timely, and high-quality acquisition of materials, products, and services. The Senior Buyer will champion process improvements, supplier development, and data-driven decision-making, while maintaining an environment that focuses on the Knight Material Technologies How We Work Principles of Safety and Compliance, Customer Focus, Respect, Integrity, Problem Solvers, and Teamwork.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience)
3+ years of experience in Purchasing, strategic sourcing, or materials planning in a manufacturing environment.
Organizational skills
Analytical skills
Negotiations skills
Advanced Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and ERP systems
Excellent communication skills and ability to build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders
Demonstrated ability to multitask, prioritize, and work in a fast-paced, high-stress environment
Self-motivated, resourceful, and action-oriented.

Nice To Haves

3+ years of experience with cost management, supplier development, and contract negotiation.
Procurement skills
Cost management skills
Negotiations skills
Planning and scheduling skills
Inventory control skills
Logistics management skills
Experience supporting ISO processes and continuous improvement initiatives.
Certifications such as Certified Purchasing Professional (CPP), Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), or APICS/CPIM

Responsibilities

Develops and executes sourcing strategies for critical materials and services to achieve cost savings, quality improvements, and risk mitigation.
Leads supplier selection, qualification, and performance management, including conducting supplier audits and developing scorecards.
Negotiates complex contracts and long-term agreements, securing favorable terms and building strategic supplier partnerships.
Monitors market trends and proactively identifies new sourcing opportunities, including global sourcing initiatives.
Collaborates with Materials Manager and production teams to develop, maintain, and adjust production schedules and procurement plans, ensuring alignment with customer demand, production requirements, and overall business objectives.
Analyzes inventory levels, usage patterns, and forecasts to optimize stock, minimize shortages, and reduce excess inventory.
Leads initiatives to streamline procurement processes, enhances workflow efficiency, and drives continuous improvement across the supply chain.
Analyzes operational and purchasing data, prepares reports and metrics for management, and recommends actions to address bottlenecks and improve performance.
Partners with Engineering, Production, Quality, and other departments to resolve material issues and support new product introductions.
Drives results in areas of Cost Savings, Supplier Performance, Inventory Turns, and OTTP for raw materials.
Mentors and provides guidance to Buyer, sharing best practices and supporting their professional development.
Expedites critical orders, resolves pricing and shipping exceptions, and ensures timely vendor confirmations.
Supports team with efforts in 5S efforts.
Works with Materials Manager and team to maintain documentation for ISO processes and work instructions, including vendor scorecards.
Performs additional duties as assigned.