Strategic Buyer

Bauer Compressors•Norfolk, VA

3d•$70,000 - $90,000

About The Position

The Strategic Buyer is responsible for sourcing, purchasing, and managing production materials, components, goods, and services that support BAUER's manufacturing and business operations. The position manages assigned direct-material and indirect-spend categories, which may include raw materials, fabricated and purchased components, facilities, maintenance, utilities, information technology, professional services, office operations, safety, logistics support, and capital projects. Working with Supply Chain, Planning, Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and department leaders, the Strategic Buyer develops sourcing strategies, negotiates supplier agreements, manages supplier relationships, and identifies opportunities to improve cost, quality, delivery, service, and operational efficiency. The role helps ensure continuity of supply and availability of materials and resources while supporting the company's financial and operational objectives.

Requirements

Five or more years of purchasing, procurement, sourcing, or supply-chain experience.
Experience negotiating with suppliers and managing vendor relationships.
Experience using ERP/MRP systems.
Understanding of material requirements planning, inventory, lead times, supplier capacity, and production supply continuity.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
Ability to build productive relationships with internal customers and suppliers; negotiate effectively; analyze pricing, contracts, and supplier proposals; prioritize competing projects and deadlines; exercise sound business judgment; communicate effectively across organizational levels; work independently and collaboratively; identify process and cost improvements; and maintain integrity when managing company expenditures.
A bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Finance, Operations, or a related field is preferred; an equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

Nice To Haves

Manufacturing-environment experience and purchasing production materials or components.
Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM).
Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM).
APICS/ASCM certification.
Experience with strategic sourcing initiatives.
Experience sourcing direct materials, production components, or engineered-to-order/manufactured products.
Experience managing service contracts.

Responsibilities

Develop sourcing strategies for assigned direct-material and indirect-spend categories; research suppliers; prepare and manage RFQs, RFPs, and competitive bids; negotiate commercial terms; and identify cost-reduction opportunities.
Monitor market conditions and supply risks, and recommend alternative sourcing strategies when appropriate.
Develop sourcing strategies for production materials and components, including new-product requirements, supplier transitions, and alternate sources of supply.
Work with Engineering, Quality, Planning, and Manufacturing to evaluate supplier capabilities, technical requirements, quality expectations, lead times, and total cost.
Purchase assigned production materials, components, indirect goods, and services needed for manufacturing and business operations.
Build supplier and service-provider relationships; evaluate performance; resolve quality, delivery, or service issues; and support supplier onboarding, reviews, qualification, development, corrective actions, and source changes.
Coordinate with Planning and Operations to address shortages, past-due materials, supplier constraints, and other issues affecting production continuity.
Coordinate service agreements and contract renewals; maintain purchasing records, supplier documentation, and contract files; and review purchasing activity for compliance with company policies and spending limits.
Assist departments with recurring service and purchasing needs; analyze spending trends, material spend, price variances, supplier concentration, and total cost to identify consolidation, standardization, and sourcing opportunities.
Partner with internal departments to understand purchasing needs and recommend solutions balancing cost, quality, lead time, and business risk.
Support capital equipment purchases and facility improvement projects as assigned, and participate in cross-functional continuous-improvement initiatives.
Prepare purchasing reports and spend analyses; track cost savings and procurement initiatives; monitor purchase price variance, supplier performance, material availability, and other procurement KPIs; and support budget planning with forecasts and spending data.
Recommend improvements to procurement processes, supplier performance, and purchasing controls.