Position Summary The Buyer is responsible for purchasing raw materials, components, parts, and supplies required for the manufacture and assembly of electrical switches and related products. This position works closely with Production, Quality, Engineering, Inventory Control, and Accounting to ensure materials are available when needed while maintaining appropriate inventory levels and controlling costs. The Buyer is responsible for managing assigned suppliers, issuing and maintaining purchase orders, monitoring material requirements, tracking deliveries, resolving supplier issues, and identifying sourcing opportunities that support quality, cost, and delivery objectives. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Purchasing & Material Planning Purchase raw materials, components, and supplies used in switch manufacturing, including metals, plastics, electrical/electronic components, hardware, contacts, terminals, fasteners, and other production materials. Review production requirements, inventory levels, open purchase orders, forecasts, and ERP/MRP recommendations to determine purchasing needs. Create, issue, and maintain purchase orders within the ERP system. Monitor open purchase orders and follow up with suppliers to ensure materials are delivered according to required dates. Expedite critical or past-due materials as necessary to prevent production delays or shortages. Maintain appropriate inventory levels while minimizing excess, obsolete, and slow-moving inventory. Review order quantities, lead times, usage, and supplier requirements to make sound purchasing decisions. Communicate potential shortages, extended lead times, or other supply concerns to appropriate departments in a timely manner. Supplier Management Develop and maintain effective working relationships with domestic and international suppliers. Obtain and evaluate quotations for pricing, lead time, quality, freight, and payment terms. Negotiate pricing, delivery schedules, minimum order quantities, payment terms, and other purchasing conditions. Monitor supplier performance related to quality, delivery, responsiveness, and cost. Work with suppliers and internal departments to resolve material shortages, shipping discrepancies, damaged goods, invoice discrepancies, and quality issues. Identify and evaluate alternate or backup suppliers to reduce supply-chain risk. Maintain accurate supplier information, pricing, lead times, and purchasing records within the ERP system. Assist with supplier cost-reduction initiatives and identify opportunities for improved purchasing terms. Production & Inventory Support Work closely with Production and Inventory Control to ensure materials are available to meet manufacturing schedules. Review changing production priorities and adjust purchasing activities as necessary. Investigate inventory discrepancies or material availability issues that could affect production. Coordinate with Shipping/Receiving and Logistics regarding incoming materials, freight arrangements, and delivery schedules. Support efforts to improve inventory turns and reduce excess inventory without creating production shortages. Quality & Engineering Support Work with Quality to address supplier-related nonconforming materials and corrective actions. Coordinate with Engineering when sourcing new components, alternate materials, prototypes, or replacement parts. Obtain samples, specifications, certifications, and other supplier documentation as required. Ensure purchased materials meet applicable drawings, specifications, quality requirements, and regulatory standards. Assist with sourcing components for new products and product changes. Cost & Administrative Responsibilities Maintain accurate purchase pricing and related purchasing information in the ERP system. Review supplier acknowledgments and verify pricing, quantities, and delivery dates against purchase orders. Work with Accounting to resolve invoice and receiving discrepancies. Monitor material cost changes and communicate significant increases or purchasing trends to management. Maintain organized purchasing records, supplier correspondence, quotations, and supporting documentation. Assist with purchasing reports, inventory analysis, cost comparisons, and other supply-chain projects as needed. Qualifications Education & Experience Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, or a related field preferred. Three or more years of purchasing or procurement experience in a manufacturing environment preferred. Experience purchasing components, raw materials, or hardware for electrical, electronic, electromechanical, or industrial manufacturing is highly desirable. Equivalent combinations of education and relevant manufacturing purchasing experience will be considered. Skills & Competencies Working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems and manufacturing purchasing processes. Strong Microsoft Excel and general computer skills. Ability to understand bills of material (BOMs), part numbers, specifications, inventory requirements, and production schedules. Strong negotiation and supplier-management skills. Ability to analyze pricing, lead times, usage, and inventory data. Excellent organizational skills with strong attention to detail and accuracy. Ability to manage multiple priorities and respond quickly to changing production requirements. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Effective problem-solving and follow-up skills. Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with Production, Quality, Engineering, Accounting, and other departments. Ability to develop professional and productive relationships with suppliers. Strong sense of urgency when addressing material shortages or issues that could affect production. Preferred Qualifications Purchasing experience in switch, electrical component, electronics, or electromechanical manufacturing. Experience purchasing machined, stamped, molded, plated, or fabricated components. Familiarity with supplier quality requirements and manufacturing specifications. Experience working with domestic and international suppliers. Knowledge of inventory management, material planning, and manufacturing lead-time management. Key Performance Expectations Success in this position includes: Maintaining material availability to support production schedules. Minimizing production disruptions caused by material shortages. Maintaining appropriate inventory levels. Improving supplier on-time delivery and responsiveness. Controlling and reducing material costs where possible. Maintaining accurate purchase orders, pricing, lead times, and supplier information. Proactively identifying and resolving supply-chain risks before they affect production. Work Environment This position operates primarily in an office environment within a manufacturing facility and requires regular interaction with production, warehouse, quality, engineering, and administrative personnel. Occasional time on the manufacturing floor may be required to review materials, inventory, or supplier-related issues.

Pay:

$18.00 - $22.00 per hour Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Flexible spending account Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person