Job Description

Position Description: Buyer

Location: Michigan Center, MI

Reports to: Operations Manager

Position Overview:

The Buyer is responsible for the procurement and management of this company's industrial products inventory. This includes timely receipt, cost-effective purchasing, inventory management, vendor relations, and ensuring that the products meet quality standards and operational needs of the business. The role is critical in maintaining seamless operations by ensuring that inventory levels are optimized to meet demand without overstocking or stockouts.

Key Responsibilities:

Procurement:

o Source and purchase industrial products, raw materials, and other components from approved suppliers.

o Negotiate costs, terms, and lead-times with vendors to ensure working capital and margin efficiency, as well as timely deliveries.

o Prepare and issue purchase orders and regularly ensure they are followed up with for on-time deliveries.

Inventory Management:

o Work with the Inventory Controller to maintain accurate inventory records for both finished products and raw materials in the system and warehouse.

o Monitor inventory levels, track usage trends, and adjust procurement strategies to avoid both stockouts and excess inventory.

o Implement inventory optimization strategies, including reorder point calculations, safety stock management, and periodic cycle counts.

Vendor Management:

o Develop and maintain relationships with suppliers to ensure reliability, quality, and cost competitiveness.

o Coordinate with vendors regarding product specifications, lead times, and pricing for any new projects, as needed.

o Evaluate and review supplier performance and address any issues related to product quality, delivery times, or order accuracy.

Cross-Departmental Coordination:

o Work closely with sales, project management, and engineering teams to forecast product needs and adjust purchasing plans accordingly.

o Collaborate with the finance department to reconcile invoices and resolve discrepancies.

Market Research & Data Analysis:

o Monitor KPIs like raw material and international freight rates for fact-based tracking of cost increases from suppliers. Also used in negotiating cost reductions.

o Analyze inventory turnover rates, cost variances, and order history to inform buying decisions.

· Compliance & Reporting:

o Ensure compliance with company policies, industry regulations, and safety standards for purchased goods.

o Maintain accurate purchase records and provide regular reports on inventory status, procurement costs, and supplier performance to management.

Required Qualifications:

Education:

o Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field is preferred, but not mandatory. Relevant certifications (e.g., Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM), Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM)) are a plus.

Experience:

o Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in inventory purchasing, supply chain management, or procurement, preferably in an industrial products or manufacturing sector. This should include management of international vendors.

o Strong knowledge of inventory management systems (Sage 300 experience is a plus).

o Experience negotiating with vendors and managing supplier relationships.

· Skills:

o Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

o Excellent communication and negotiation skills.

o Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and inventory management software.

o Ability to manage multiple priorities and work under tight deadlines.

o Attention to detail and high levels of accuracy.

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