Buyer

Buyer / Materials Buyer

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Buyer to join an established manufacturing organization. This position is responsible for ensuring the reliable, on-time delivery and availability of materials from suppliers to support manufacturing operations, production schedules, and kitting requirements.

The Buyer will manage supplier relationships, purchase orders, material shortages, delivery performance, and supply chain risks. This role requires strong organizational skills, effective communication with suppliers, and the ability to resolve material availability issues in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

The ideal candidate will have experience in purchasing, materials management, supplier coordination, and ERP/MRP systems, preferably within a manufacturing or electronics environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Purchasing and Supplier Management

• Manage day-to-day relationships with suppliers to ensure materials are delivered on time and in the required quantities.

• Issue, maintain, and track purchase orders, supplier confirmations, and delivery schedules.

• Monitor supplier performance, lead times, and delivery commitments.

• Follow up with suppliers regarding late shipments, material shortages, and outstanding purchase orders.

• Coordinate supplier recovery plans when delivery performance falls below expectations.

• Review purchasing requirements and material availability using ERP/MRP systems.

• Maintain accurate purchasing records, including lead times, pricing, supplier information, and order status.

• Support sourcing, quoting, and supplier negotiations as required.

• Manage long-term and blanket purchase orders and supplier agreements.

Material Shortage Management and Supply Assurance

• Identify, track, and resolve material shortages that could impact production schedules.

• Maintain accurate shortage reports, including supplier commitments, expected delivery dates, and corrective actions.

• Work proactively with suppliers to prevent material shortages and production interruptions.

• Monitor material requirements and supplier commitments over a 2-to-12-week planning horizon.

• Identify potential supply risks involving supplier capacity, transportation delays, long lead-time components, and quality issues.

• Coordinate corrective actions and escalate critical material shortages when necessary.

• Work toward achieving a minimum 95% material availability target to support production and kitting requirements.

• Transition from reactive expediting to proactive material planning and supply assurance.

Purchase Order and Logistics Coordination

• Ensure purchase orders are accurate and released to suppliers in a timely manner.

• Monitor order acknowledgments, shipment status, and delivery performance.

• Coordinate shipping arrangements, freight methods, carriers, and delivery schedules as needed.

• Resolve purchasing-related issues involving invoices, receiving discrepancies, and supplier documentation.

• Maintain accurate inventory and material records.

• Assist with purchase order rescheduling and adjustments based on changing production requirements.

Supplier Quality and Performance

• Monitor supplier delivery and quality performance.

• Work with Quality and Engineering departments to resolve supplier-related material issues.

• Assist with supplier corrective actions and quality concerns affecting production.

• Support supplier performance reviews and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Track key supplier performance indicators, including on-time delivery, shortages, and material availability.

• Support improvements in supplier communication, purchasing processes, and supply chain visibility.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Work closely with Production Planning, Purchasing, Engineering, Quality, and Operations to ensure material availability.

• Coordinate supplier commitments with production schedules and manufacturing requirements.

• Communicate supplier capacity limitations, delivery concerns, and potential production impacts.

• Participate in shortage review meetings and supply chain improvement initiatives.

• Support inventory management and material planning strategies.

Qualifications and Experience

• Previous experience in purchasing, buying, materials management, supply chain, or supplier coordination within a manufacturing environment.

• Experience working with ERP/MRP systems and purchasing processes.

• Strong understanding of purchase orders, supplier scheduling, lead times, and material availability.

• Experience managing supplier delivery performance and resolving material shortages.

• Knowledge of inventory management, minimum order quantities (MOQ), safety stock, and material planning.

• Experience in electronics manufacturing, component purchasing, or high-mix manufacturing environments is preferred.

• Familiarity with supplier quality issues and corrective action processes is beneficial.

• Experience coordinating purchasing activities across multiple manufacturing locations is a plus.

Skills and Abilities

• Strong communication, negotiation, and supplier relationship management skills.

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and resolve issues under tight deadlines.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

• Ability to work independently and collaborate with cross-functional teams.

• Proactive approach to supplier follow-up, shortage resolution, and material planning.

• Strong computer skills and proficiency with ERP/MRP systems.

• Ability to maintain accurate purchasing records and supplier performance reports.

Additional Information

The successful candidate must be able to perform the essential responsibilities of the position, maintain confidentiality, exercise sound judgment, and demonstrate professionalism when working with suppliers and internal departments.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.