Buyer

The Specialty Manufacturing Company

White Bear Lake, MN

JOB DETAILS
JOB TYPE
Full-time
SKILLS
APICS (Association for Operations Management), Business Operations, Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM), Communication Skills, Corporate Compliance, Corrective Action, Cost Control, Customer Support/Service, ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), High School Diploma, Inventory Levels, Inventory Management, Maintain Compliance, Manufacturing, Manufacturing Equipment Maintenance, Manufacturing Operations, Negotiation Skills, Oracle, Performance Analysis, Performance Metrics, Problem Solving Skills, Product Pricing, Product Support, Product/Service Launch, Purchase Orders, Purchasing/Procurement, Quality Management, Quality System Requirements (QSR), Record Keeping, Reduction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS), Regulatory Requirements, Root Cause Analysis, SAP, Safety Standards, Safety/Work Safety, Scorecarding, Supplier Relationship Management (SRM), Supply Chain, Supply Chain Operations, Time Management, Vendor/Supplier Evaluation, Vendor/Supplier Management, Vendor/Supplier Relations, Vendor/Supplier Selection, Vendor/Supplier Sourcing, Willing to Travel
LOCATION
White Bear Lake, MN
POSTED
10 days ago
The Buyer is responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and procuring materials, components, equipment, and services required for manufacturing operations. This role ensures uninterrupted production by maintaining optimal inventory levels, managing supplier relationships, and driving cost‑effective purchasing strategies. The Buyer collaborates closely with production, engineering, planning, quality and customer service teams to meet operational goals.
Essential Job Duties
  • Supplier Sourcing — Identify, evaluate, and select suppliers capable of meeting quality, cost, and delivery requirements.
  • Purchase Order Management — Create, issue, and track purchase orders to ensure timely delivery of materials.
  • Negotiation Strategy — Negotiate pricing, terms, contracts, and long‑term agreements to optimize cost savings.
  • Supplier Relationship & Performance —Establish and communicate clear expectations for quality, cost, delivery and responsiveness. Monitor performance through KPIs and scorecards. 
  • Supplier Audits & Compliance – Participate in supplier audits to ensure compliance with company requirements and quality management system.
  • Non-Conformance – Manage supplier non-conformance including, containment, root cause analysis and corrective/preventative actions.
  • Cross‑Functional Collaboration Work with production, engineering, and quality teams to support new product launches and resolve supply issues.
  • Cost Reduction Initiatives — Identify opportunities for cost improvement through alternative materials, suppliers, or processes.
  • Data & Reporting — Maintain accurate purchasing records and supplier data in ERP/MRP systems.
  • Compliance Oversight — Ensure adherence to company policies, safety standards, and regulatory requirements.
  • All other duties as assigned
Education
  • High School Diploma or GED required
  • Bachelor’s degree in supply chain or business operations preferred
Skills and Qualifications
  • 1-3 years’ related experience working in manufacturing operations environment
  • Procurement Knowledge — Understanding of purchasing processes, supply chain principles, and contract terms.
  • ERP/MRP Experience — Proficiency with systems such as Epicor, Oracle, SAP, or similar.
  • Knowledge of applicable regulatory requirements. I.e. REACH, ROHS, preferred
  • APICS, CPIM or CSCP certification(s) preferred
Work Environment
  • Works in office full-time, manufacturing environment
  • May require periodic travel
  • All work is to be performed on site during normal business hours

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About the Company

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The Specialty Manufacturing Company