Senior Buyer

Aston Carter•Town of Lodi, WI

9d•$75,000 - $90,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Buyer oversees commodity procurement and key supplier relationships, ensuring cost-effective purchasing and on-time delivery of materials and services. The role requires strong negotiation capabilities, supplier management expertise, and the ability to use market insight and data analysis to maintain optimal inventory levels and support production and business objectives. The Senior Buyer works in an industrial manufacturing environment and collaborates with production, engineering, estimating, part sales, shipping/receiving, and accounts payable teams. Daily work involves ERP and MRP systems and Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel to manage purchase orders, analyze data, and coordinate inventory levels. The position is fast-paced and deadline-driven, requiring responsiveness to changing production needs and market conditions. Professional attire appropriate for an office setting within a manufacturing facility is expected, along with regular interaction across departments and with external suppliers. This is a permanent, fully onsite position based in Lodi, Wisconsin. The stated pay range is $75,000–$90,000 per year. The posting says company benefits will be shared during an initial conversation and lists 401(k) matching, dental insurance, health insurance, a health savings account, life insurance, paid time off, and vision insurance.

Requirements

Demonstrated purchasing and procurement experience in an industrial manufacturing environment.
Strong negotiation skills and a track record of achieving cost savings and favorable terms.
Ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with vendors and suppliers.
Hands-on experience using ERP and MRP systems for purchasing and inventory planning.
Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel for communication, documentation, and data analysis.
Ability to read Bills of Material (BOM), drawings, and technical specifications.
Strong math aptitude and analytical skills, including the ability to interpret data and make sound recommendations.
High attention to detail and commitment to quality and compliance.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Minimum of 57 years of related purchasing experience.
Strong communication skills for cross-functional collaboration.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, or a related field; other educational backgrounds may be considered based on experience.
Experience in supply chain processes and purchase order management.
Familiarity with Infor ERP systems.
Experience conducting cost reviews and project cost analysis of material sourcing.
Background in industrial manufacturing, including understanding production requirements and material flows.
Ability to support research and development through sourcing new materials and suppliers.

Responsibilities

Send Requests for Quotation (RFQs) to potential suppliers, analyze quotes, and negotiate pricing and delivery terms to achieve overall value.
Monitor market trends, make purchasing decisions, and mitigate supply risks.
Use an ERP system to collect, analyze, and summarize data trends supporting inventory planning and purchasing decisions.
Run Material Requirements Planning (MRP) daily to maintain inventory levels aligned with production schedules and business needs.
Prepare accurate Purchase Orders (POs) by verifying specifications and pricing, and monitor and expedite orders based on inventory and production requirements.
Obtain supplier recommendations for substitute materials when needed and secure approval from the requisitioning department for changes.
Meet with suppliers to evaluate performance, address issues, and strengthen relationships.
Identify and evaluate new supplier opportunities to support cost, quality, and delivery objectives.
Request, save, and file purchasing documentation to support traceability, compliance, and recordkeeping.
Maintain quality and compliance with internal policies and applicable legal regulations.
Perform special sourcing projects, including sourcing new materials for research and development initiatives.
Collaborate with Accounts Payable, Engineering, Estimating, Manufacturing, Part Sales, and Shipping/Receiving to resolve issues and align purchasing activities with business needs.
Expedite materials and develop and use alternative suppliers to prevent shortages and support continuous operations.
Prepare reports and conduct final project reviews of material costs, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and improvement opportunities in purchasing strategies.