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.
is a 44-year-old, privately held, industry leader in telecommunications, cable and ITS/Traffic solutions based in Elyria, OH. Our team brings innovative solutions to the world of communication. We handle every stage of product development including research, design, engineering, fabrication, powder coating, assembly and vendor managed inventory logistics. With over 400,000 sq ft of manufacturing space, we have the ability to create solutions uniquely tailored to our customers' needs. Our materials and parts are more complex than the average mid size manufacturing company, with our ERP containing up to 65,000 active part numbers at most given times. If you are ready for a challenge that will include technical and electrical parts, sheet metal, aluminum and steel, hardware, plastics and daily MRO items - including R&D in the most new and upcoming technololgies, we're looking for you! Job Summary We are seeking a Strategic Sourcing and Buying Specialist to join our growing team. In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for completing cost and inventory analysis, participating in negotiations, identifying back up supplier options, and completing all buying activities including purchase ordering process, for your assigned product group. Your experience in strategic purchasing, materials management, inventory management and product sourcing will drive supply chain excellence, support production planning, and contribute to the overall profitability and success of Multilink. Please note, this is an ON-SITE position located in ELyria, OH. Key Responsibilities Manage end-to-end procurement processes using
SYSPRO ERP
system Complete the purchase order process from submission to acknowledgement including updating any changes in agreed upon receipt dates. Communicate and document purchased product updates to production teams and customer service as needed Negotiate contracts and pricing agreements with suppliers to secure favorable terms while maintaining strong vendor relationships Research, identify and qualify secondary and tertiary vendors documenting pricing, volume capabilities and lead times Source products nationally, near shore and off shore while considering tarrifs, customs, and shipping times/costs. Monitor inventory levels and coordinate with logistics and inventory teams to optimize inventory control and reduce excess stock through effective product management Participate in vendor score card ratings by tracking on time deliveries, quality concerns, total costs, customer service and other metrics Maintain comprehensive records of purchase orders, contracts, and supplier communications in ERP system for transparency and compliance. Execute sourcing strategies aligned with company goals, ensuring the best value for materials, products, and services. Stay up to date on market trends to proactively address supply chain constraints including tariffs, customs delays, price changes and other local and global events that may impact product availability
Experience and Education:
Bachelor's degree may be required. Commiserate experience may be considered in place of degree. 5+ years of purchasing, procurement, buying, or sourcing in a manufacturing or production-based environment preferably with sheet metals, hardware, plastics and electronic component industries. Experience working with purchase order creation, acknowledgement, verification and receipt required. Extensive experience working with ERP systems such as
SAP, SAP ERP, JD
Edwards, Oracle EBS, or AS400 in a procurement or materials management capacity. Strong negotiation skills with a proven track record of securing competitive pricing and favorable contract terms. Deep understanding of supply chain management principles including inventory management, logistics, production planning, and sourcing strategies. Knowledge of procurement best practices including contract management, pricing analysis, and vendor evaluation. Ability to analyze complex data related to purchasing trends, pricing fluctuations, and supply chain performance for informed decision-making. Excellent communication skills to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams and external suppliers.
Benefits:
401(k) Dental insurance Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Vision insurance
Experience:
Purchasing:
3 years (Required) Supply chain analytics: 1 year (Preferred)
