Position Summary

The Senior Buyer plays a critical role in ensuring the organization’s supply chain is efficient, cost-effective, and aligned with operational goals. This position drives strategic sourcing initiatives, strengthens supplier relationships, and optimizes procurement processes to support production continuity and business growth.

Key Impacts

· Cost Optimization: Identifies and implements cost-saving opportunities through strategic negotiations, supplier consolidation, and market analysis.

· Supply Continuity: Ensures uninterrupted material availability by proactively managing supplier performance, lead times, and risk mitigation strategies.

· Strategic Sourcing: Leads sourcing initiatives aligned with company objectives, including quality, cost, delivery, and innovation.

· Supplier Relationship Management: Builds and maintains strong partnerships with key vendors to improve service levels, responsiveness, and long-term value.

· Operational Efficiency: Streamlines procurement processes and leverages ERP/MRP systems to improve accuracy, cycle time, and data-driven decision making.

· Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partners with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Planning, and Finance to support product launches, resolve supply issues, and enhance performance.

· Compliance & Risk Management: Ensures adherence to company policies, contracts, and regulatory requirements while reducing supply chain risk.

Key Responsibilities

· Lead procurement of direct materials, components, and outsourced services critical to production.

· Align purchasing strategies with production plans and capacity requirements to ensure uninterrupted operations.

· Proactively manage and resolve supply shortages, quality issues, and schedule changes.

· Develop and maintain supplier relationships, including performance reviews, scorecards, and corrective action plans.

· Execute negotiations to reduce total cost of ownership (TCO) and ensure long-term supply continuity.

· Partner cross-functionally with Operations, Engineering, Planning, Quality, and Finance on production and process initiatives.

· Analyze market trends, material cost drivers, and supplier capabilities to inform sourcing decisions.

· Monitor and manage ERP/MRP purchasing signals to ensure accurate PO generation, tracking, and system integrity.

· Partner with Finance to ensure procurement data accuracy and strong purchasing processes.

· Act as escalation point for supplier delivery and quality issues, driving root cause resolution.

· Drive lean procurement initiatives, including JIT, VMI, and supplier consolidation.

· Lead cost reduction efforts measured through purchased price variance (PPV) and savings vs. baseline.

· Identify and mitigate supply chain risks, including single-source dependencies and end-of-life components.

· Ensure compliance with internal controls, quality standards, and regulatory requirements.

· Perform other duties as assigned.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

· On-Time Material Availability

· Cost Savings (% vs. baseline)

· Supplier On-Time Delivery (OTD)

· Supplier Quality (PPM)

· Inventory Turns / Days of Supply

· Purchase Order Accuracy and Cycle Time

· Supply Chain Risk Mitigation Actions

Requirements

· Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, or related field preferred

· 5+ years of purchasing, sourcing, or supply chain experience in a manufacturing environment

· Strong negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving skills

· Experience with ERP/MRP systems (e.g., UKG, SAP, Oracle)

· Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment

· Strong cross-functional collaboration and communication skills