A Buyer buys products, materials or services needed by a company or organization. Manages inventory and schedule for purchasing, works with vendors and negotiates contracts, monitors quality of supplies and services purchased. May work in farm products, manufacturing, trade or services industries.
Cablecraft is seeking an experienced and motivated Senior Buyer / Procurement Supervisor to lead purchasing operations for our Bolivar, Ohio manufacturing facility. This position combines strategic procurement, supplier relationship management, inventory planning, and team leadership to ensure uninterrupted production while driving continuous improvement throughout the supply chain. Reporting directly to the Director of Supply Chain, the Senior Buyer will supervise the site's purchasing and receiving functions while serving as the lead procurement resource for Bolivar. This individual will also have the opportunity to expand into enterprise-level supply chain initiatives by learning SAP and supporting projects across our St. Matthews, South Carolina operation, creating a clear path for future career growth within Cablecraft. Essential ResponsibilitiesStrategic Procurement Lead procurement activities for assigned commodities and suppliers. Develop sourcing strategies that balance cost, quality, delivery, and risk. Negotiate supplier pricing, contracts, payment terms, and long-term agreements. Identify and execute annual cost reduction initiatives. Lead supplier consolidation and supplier development efforts. Monitor Purchase Price Variance (PPV) and develop corrective actions when necessary. Analyze market trends, material availability, inflation, and commodity risks. Supplier Management Develop strong strategic partnerships with suppliers. Evaluate supplier performance using scorecards and key performance indicators. Conduct supplier business reviews. Coordinate supplier corrective actions with Quality and Engineering. Resolve supplier quality, delivery, invoice, and commercial issues. Inventory & Materials Planning Utilize Epicor ERP to manage purchasing activities.
Maintain accurate planning parameters including:
Lead times Safety stock Reorder points Minimum order quantities Drive inventory optimization initiatives. Improve inventory turns while maintaining service levels. Manage excess, obsolete, and slow-moving inventory. Support cycle count accuracy and annual physical inventory.
Operations Support Partner with:
Production Engineering Customer Service Finance Quality Logistics Support Engineering with new product launches and engineering changes. Coordinate material changes with suppliers. Communicate material shortages and recovery plans. Assist with production scheduling when needed. Leadership Responsibilities Provide day-to-day leadership to: Buyer Receiving Clerk Assign work priorities and ensure workload balance. Coach and develop team members. Train employees on purchasing procedures and ERP best practices. Conduct performance discussions and support performance management activities. Establish standardized purchasing and receiving processes. Promote continuous improvement throughout the department. Continuous Improvement Identify opportunities to improve purchasing processes. Develop standardized work instructions. Support Lean Manufacturing initiatives.
Improve purchasing metrics including:
Inventory Turns PPV Supplier On-Time Delivery Supplier Quality Purchase Order Accuracy Lead supply chain improvement projects. Multi-Site Collaboration As part of Cablecraft's long-term supply chain strategy, this role will: Partner closely with the Director of Supply Chain on enterprise initiatives. Learn SAP ERP to support future cross-site purchasing activities. Assist with procurement projects supporting the St. Matthews, South Carolina facility. Participate in company-wide sourcing initiatives and supplier negotiations. Serve as a backup resource for procurement activities across multiple Cablecraft locations. This position provides a defined career path into broader Supply Chain leadership responsibilities. QualificationsEducation Bachelor's Degree in: Supply Chain Management Business Administration Operations Management Engineering or related field preferred. Equivalent manufacturing purchasing experience may be considered. Experience 7+ years of purchasing or procurement experience within manufacturing. Experience negotiating with domestic and international suppliers. Experience leading supplier development initiatives. Experience supervising employees preferred. Experience with MRP/ERP systems required. Epicor experience strongly preferred. SAP experience is not required but willingness to learn SAP is essential. Preferred Qualifications APICS (CPIM or CSCP) Lean Manufacturing experience Project Management experience Multi-site manufacturing experience Commodity sourcing experience Strategic sourcing experience Technical Skills Epicor ERP Microsoft Excel (advanced) Microsoft Office Suite ERP reporting and analytics Purchasing analytics Inventory management Supplier scorecards Cost analysis Forecasting Core Competencies Leadership Strategic Thinking Negotiation Supplier Relationship Management Analytical Decision Making Business Acumen Communication Collaboration Accountability Continuous Improvement Problem Solving Customer Focus Physical Requirements Work primarily in an office environment within a manufacturing facility. Frequent interaction with warehouse and production operations. Occasional lifting up to 25 pounds. Ability to travel periodically to suppliers and other Cablecraft facilities. Join us as a Senior Buyer where your expertise will shape our supply chain success! This role offers an energizing environment for innovative thinkers eager to make a tangible impact through strategic sourcing, software implementation, and collaborative leadership—all while advancing your career in a thriving organization committed to operational excellence.
Pay:
$79,158.87 - $95,331.11 per year
Benefits:
401(k) 401(k) matching Health insurance Health savings account Life insurance Paid time off Prescription drug insurance Vision insurance