Buyer

The Buyer is responsible for managing the end-to-end procurement of direct and indirect materials to support Hyson's manufacturing and business operations in Brecksville. This role balances day-to-day purchasing execution with supplier relationship management and sourcing activities, ensuring materials are available on time, at competitive cost, and to the quality standards required in a precision manufacturing environment.

Core Responsibilities:

• Issue and manage purchase orders for direct materials (raw materials, components) and indirect/MRO supplies in support of production and operational needs.
• Monitor open POs to ensure on-time delivery; proactively communicate supply risks and manage expedites as required.
• Resolve problem shipments with suppliers, including receiving discrepancies, packaging non-conformances, and related delivery issues.
• Address problem invoices with suppliers, including researching and correcting mismatched vouchers and purchase order discrepancies.
• Conduct supplier sourcing and evaluation activities, including RFQ processes, bid analysis, and supplier selection recommendations.
• Develop and maintain supplier relationships; serve as the primary point of contact for assigned supplier base.
• Negotiate pricing, lead times, and terms with suppliers to drive cost competitiveness and supply reliability.
• Track and analyze supplier performance against cost, quality, delivery, and service metrics; drive corrective actions where performance gaps exist.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, quality, and finance to align procurement activity with business requirements.
• Support new product development and engineering changes by sourcing and qualifying new materials or suppliers as needed.
• Maintain accurate purchasing records and data within the ERP system; ensure item master, pricing, and lead time data is current.
• Identify and execute cost reduction and continuous improvement opportunities within the supply base.
• Ensure compliance with Hyson procurement policies, export/import regulations, and supplier code of conduct requirements.
• Travel up to 10% of the time as required, including occasional international travel for supplier visits and business needs.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• Adhere to the Company Code of Ethics and Values.

Competencies:

Ownership & Accountability: Takes responsibility for supply outcomes; follows through on commitments to internal customers and suppliers.

Attention to Detail: Accurately processes POs, pricing, and supplier data with a low error tolerance.

Negotiation & Influence: Skilled at negotiating with suppliers on cost, lead time, and terms; builds mutually beneficial supplier relationships.

Analytical Thinking: Uses data to evaluate supplier performance, assess sourcing options, and support cost reduction decisions.

Collaboration: Works effectively across engineering, operations, quality, and finance to align purchasing activity with manufacturing and business needs.

Adaptability: Manages shifting priorities and supply disruptions effectively in a dynamic manufacturing environment.

Communication: Communicates clearly and professionally with suppliers, internal stakeholders, and leadership.

Qualifications:

• 3+ years of experience in a purchasing, procurement, or supply chain role within a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing a portfolio of direct and/or indirect spend categories.
• Hands-on experience issuing and managing purchase orders, expediting, and resolving supplier delivery issues.
• Working knowledge of ERP systems for purchasing transactions and data management (e.g., JBA, SAP, Oracle, Epicor, or similar).
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Office suite for data analysis and reporting.
• Solid understanding of procurement fundamentals: RFQ process, cost analysis, supplier negotiation, and PO management.
• Ability to read and interpret technical documents, drawings, and specifications relevant to purchased parts or materials.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple open orders and priorities simultaneously.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills; able to represent Hyson professionally in supplier interactions.
• Familiarity with supplier development and formal supplier performance management processes.
• Experience supporting new product introduction (NPI) or engineering change processes from a procurement perspective.
• Experience with lean manufacturing or continuous improvement initiatives within a supply chain or procurement context preferred.
• Knowledge of import/export compliance requirements, Incoterms, and international sourcing a plus.
• Familiarity with contract review and basic commercial terms negotiation a plus.

Education Requirements and Preferences:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field required.
• APICS CSCP, CPIM or CPSM certification (or progress toward certification) is a plus but not required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The characteristics listed below are representative of the physical demands required by an individual to successfully perform the essential duties of this position.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk and sit; use hands to handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee is frequently required to talk and/or hear.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The characteristics listed below are representative of the work environment typically encountered by an individual while performing the essential duties of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is able to perform functions that require manual and finger dexterity.