Buyer

Buyer at Midland Industries Buyer at Midland Industries in Riverside, Missouri Posted in 3 days ago.

Type:

full-time

Job Description:

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Director of SIOP, Buyer I supports the procurement function by sourcing, negotiating, and purchasing goods and services to meet organizational needs. This role contributes to cost-effective purchasing, reliable supply, and optimized inventory levels through effective supplier management, accurate purchasing processes, and cross-functional collaboration.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Supplier Sourcing and Management

• Following direction from the Director of Sourcing, support strategic RFQ's.

o Sourcing will drive the strategy and playbook. Buyer I will follow the Director of Sourcing's guidance and support sourcing for the smaller supply base. § Evaluate potential suppliers to ensure quality, cost, and service expectations are met. § Negotiate pricing and terms with vendors to achieve cost savings and favorable agreements. o Utilize standard supplier contract and terms. o Work with suppliers to hold inventory and improve lead times.

• Maintain strong supplier relationships to support reliability and long-term partnerships.
• Monitor supplier performance using defined metrics (e.g., on-time delivery, quality, cost) and address issues to ensure consistent supply continuity. Support quarterly and annual cadence, as directed by the Sourcing Director.
• Track and report on cost savings, supplier performance, and purchasing KPIs.
• Identify supply risks and implement mitigation strategies to ensure continuity.
• Complete supplier capacity planning and escalate capacity issues to the Director of Sourcing, so additional suppliers/capacity can be evaluated. 2. Purchasing and Order Management
• Responsible for key product categories across North America.
• Work closely with Demand Planning, so understand the optimal inventory levels to purchase.
• Generate purchase orders accurately and in a timely manner to support operational needs.
• Ensure timely delivery of goods and services to minimize disruptions.
• Monitor order status and resolve discrepancies to maintain supply chain efficiency.
• Maintain accurate purchasing data and documentation to support reporting and audit readiness. 3. Inventory and Demand Support
• Assist in managing inventory levels to balance availability and carrying costs.
• Coordinate with the Demand Planner to optimize stock levels and reduce excess or shortages.
• Track inventory movement and investigate variances to improve accuracy.
• Support demand planning activities by aligning purchasing with forecasted needs. 4. Market Analysis and Continuous Improvement
• Monitor market trends, pricing, and product availability to inform purchasing decisions.
• Recommend to the Sourcing Director alternative suppliers or products to mitigate risk and control costs.
• Identify opportunities to improve procurement processes and efficiencies.
• Ensure procurement activities comply with company policies and regulatory requirements.
• Support cost reduction and value improvement initiatives across the supply chain. 5. Cross-Functional Collaboration & Process Improvement
• Work closely with internal teams to align procurement activities with business needs.
• Participate in meetings to support planning, prioritization, and issue resolution.
• Communicate effectively with stakeholders to ensure alignment and timely execution.
• Identify opportunities to improve purchasing processes and operational workflows.
• Maintain documentation and training materials to standardize internal processes. 6. Other Duties
• Other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint)
• Experience with ERP and purchasing systems
• Data entry accuracy and reporting skills
• Basic to intermediate analytical and problem-solving skills
• Procurement and purchasing processes
• Inventory management principles
• Supplier relationship management
• Basic market analysis and pricing trends
• Organizational and operational workflows

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Finance, or related field preferred/an asset
• Minimum 1 + years experience in procurement, purchasing, or supply chain.
• Experience in distribution, manufacturing, or industrial products preferred.
• Experience working with ERP systems and forecasting tools.

BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES

• Attention to detail
• Organization and prioritization skills
• Communication skills
• Negotiation skills
• Problem-solving abilities
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Dependability

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.