Senior Buyer
Location: Greater Milwaukee Area, WI
Our client, a well-established manufacturing company specializing in casting and machining, is seeking an experienced Senior Buyer to lead procurement and supplier management activities for their operations. This is a high-impact role focused on strategic sourcing, cost reduction, supplier development, and ensuring uninterrupted production supply.
Position Summary
The Senior Buyer will develop and execute sourcing strategies, negotiate with suppliers, optimize inventory, and collaborate closely with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Planning, and Finance. The ideal candidate is a hands-on procurement professional with strong manufacturing experience and ERP/MRP expertise.
Essential Responsibilities
Procurement & Strategic Sourcing
- Procure production materials, castings, machined parts, fabricated assemblies, and indirect materials to support manufacturing operations.
- Develop sourcing strategies focused on quality, cost, delivery, and risk mitigation.
- Lead supplier negotiations for pricing, contracts, lead times, and terms.
- Manage RFQs, supplier selection, and cost reduction / value engineering initiatives.
Supplier Management
- Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to drive improvements in quality, delivery, and responsiveness.
- Monitor supplier performance using KPIs (on-time delivery, quality, cost, lead times).
- Coordinate supplier corrective actions and continuous improvement activities.
- Conduct supplier visits and business reviews as needed.
Planning & Inventory Support
- Partner with Planning and Operations to align material availability with production schedules and customer demand.
- Analyze inventory levels, safety stock, lead times, and forecasts to optimize working capital.
- Support SIOP/S&OP processes and help resolve supply disruptions.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with Engineering on new product introductions, supplier qualifications, and design changes.
- Partner with Quality and Finance on performance reviews, budgeting, and cost initiatives.
- Participate in broader continuous improvement projects across the organization.
ERP & Data Management
- Maintain accurate purchasing data, supplier records, pricing, and lead times in the ERP system.
- Utilize MRP signals to generate and manage purchase orders.
- Generate reports and support ERP process improvements.
Qualifications & Skills
- Bachelor s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, Engineering, or related field preferred.
- 5+ years of purchasing/procurement experience in a manufacturing environment required.
- Experience sourcing castings, machined components, fabricated parts, or similar industrial commodities strongly preferred.
- Strong ERP/MRP experience required Epicor experience is a big plus.
- Proficient in Microsoft Excel and the full Office Suite.
- Excellent negotiation, analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.
- Proven ability to collaborate effectively across multiple departments.
Preferred Experience
- Background in foundry, pump, heavy equipment, or industrial manufacturing.
- Lean manufacturing or continuous improvement exposure.
- APICS/ASCM, CPM, or CPSM certification a plus.
- Experience managing both domestic and international suppliers.
What Our Client Offers
Our client provides a competitive compensation package, comprehensive benefits, and real opportunities for career growth in a stable, growing U.S.-based manufacturing organization, including:
- 401(k) with company match
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Paid time off and holidays
- Life and disability insurance
- Profit sharing
If you are a proactive procurement professional with strong manufacturing sourcing experience and a track record of driving results, we encourage you to apply.