Job Overview
The Senior Buyer is responsible for leading and executing purchasing and sourcing activities for engineered components, materials, and services in a discrete manufacturing environment. This role requires a hands-on, results-driven procurement professional who can actively manage day-to-day buying activities while providing functional leadership to a small purchasing team. The position plays a key role in supplier management, cost control, and supply continuity for precision-engineered and made-to-print products.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead end-to-end purchasing and sourcing activities in support of production, engineering, and operational requirements.
- Act as a hands-on doer-leader, directly placing purchase orders while supervising and supporting one purchasing team member.
- Establish, manage, and maintain blanket purchase orders to support production planning and inventory efficiency.
- Negotiate pricing, lead times, delivery schedules, and payment terms to achieve optimal commercial and operational outcomes.
- Source and procure engineered, made-to-print components based on drawings, specifications, and technical requirements.
- Partner closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Planning, and Quality teams to ensure alignment with design, production, and delivery needs.
- Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to ensure quality, reliability, and continuity of supply.
- Monitor supplier performance and resolve issues related to cost, quality, delivery, and responsiveness.
- Support cost-reduction, supplier rationalization, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Ensure procurement activities comply with internal policies, quality standards, and ethical sourcing practices.
Qualifications And Experience
- Proven experience in purchasing, sourcing, or procurement at a senior, supervisory, or managerial level.
- Strong background in discrete manufacturing, preferably involving engineered or made-to-print products.
- Demonstrated experience managing blanket orders and negotiating pricing, lead times, and payment terms.
- Hands-on procurement expertise combined with the ability to lead and develop a small team.
- Strong negotiation, analytical, and communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, technically driven manufacturing environment.
