Technical Buyer

IMA S.p.A.•Town of Tonawanda, NY

43d•$80,000 - $100,000•Hybrid

About The Position

IMA Life North America is a company within the IMA Group that specialises in providing aseptic processing and freeze-drying solutions for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. IMA Life North America is part of IMA Life, a business unit focusing on the pharmaceutical sector who delivers advanced technologies for filling, lyophilisation and isolation, ensuring maximum sterility and product integrity for customers around the globe. The Engineered Product Procurement Specialist supports the Purchasing/Engineering Department by managing the procurement of engineered components and services within a capital equipment manufacturing environment, ensuring alignment with project cost, quality, and delivery targets and compliance with technical codes and specifications.

Requirements

3–7+ years buying experience in a manufacturing, industrial, or capital equipment environment
Experience with RFQ development, technical bid evaluation, and supplier qualification for fabrication/machine shops
Track record negotiating with steel fabricators, foundries, forgers, or OEM equipment suppliers
Experience managing long lead-time items and capital project schedules
Ability to read and interpret mechanical/fabrication drawings,.
Understanding of weldment and structural steel fabrication (frames, skids, base assemblies)
Knowledge of materials (carbon steel, stainless, alloy) and how spec changes affect cost/lead time
Familiarity with machining tolerances, surface finish call-outs, and heat treatment/coating specs
Experience with capital equipment sourcing
Comfortable reading BOMs, spec sheets, and engineering change orders (ECOs/ECNs
ERP/MRP experience (SAP, Oracle, Infor, etc.)
Ability to work directly with design engineers to clarify specs and resolve supplier questions
Strong supplier relationship management and negotiation skills
Comfortable doing supplier visits/audits (quality, capability, capacity for large equipment)
Project management skills for tracking capital equipment builds through fabrication, inspection, and delivery

Nice To Haves

Experience with Vault a plus

Responsibilities

Participate in project teams, driving collaboration between suppliers and design groups and communicating unresolved issues impacting project success.
Apply Mechanical Engineering knowledge to ensure compliance with drawings, specifications, and applicable codes.
Manage delivery targets through effective supplier coordination and communication.
Secure quotes, technical specifications, and place purchase orders in a timely manner with consideration for cost, quality, safety, and delivery.
Maintain purchase orders, schedules, and shortage reports to support customer requirements.
Monitor supplier performance, including quality and on-time delivery, and investigate missed deliveries and lead-time issues.
Manage supplier Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs), including corrective and preventive actions, returns, rework, and back charges.
Develop and support cost reduction initiatives and conduct supplier negotiations.
Source and develop qualified technical suppliers to meet production and operational needs.
Identify and assist in the implementation of business process improvements and technical solutions to overcome project or supply challenges.
Meet with suppliers to gain and maintain a strong technical understanding of purchased components and their applications.
Ensure all activities comply with company policies, procedures, and management direction.