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Raw Material Buyer SUMMARY:

The Raw Material Buyer is responsible for the timely and cost-effective procurement of raw materials and other production-related materials needed to support manufacturing operations and customer commitments. Working closely with Planning, Production, Quality, Engineering, Warehouse, and suppliers, this position ensures material availability, manages inventory levels, supports supplier performance, and controls purchasing costs in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Review MRP/ERP requirements, production schedules, and forecasts to determine material needs. Create, issue, and manage purchase orders for raw materials and production-related items. Ensure materials are available in the correct quantities to support production and customer delivery requirements. Monitor inventory levels, lead times, safety stock, and reorder requirements. Manage purchase orders based on changing production schedules and demand, including expediting or adjusting deliveries. Identify and communicate potential material shortages or delays to Planning, Production, and management. Minimize excess, obsolete, and slow-moving inventory. Maintain effective relationships with assigned suppliers. Obtain and evaluate quotations, pricing, lead times, minimum order quantities, and payment terms. Negotiate pricing and commercial terms within established guidelines. Monitor supplier performance, including delivery, quality, responsiveness, and cost. Resolve issues involving late, short, damaged, or nonconforming materials. Support supplier selection, qualification, and performance evaluations as needed. Communicate changes in forecasts, schedules, specifications, and requirements to suppliers. Work closely with Planning and Production to align material availability with manufacturing schedules. Coordinate with Quality on supplier quality issues, rejected materials, corrective actions, and replacements. Partner with Warehouse and Receiving to resolve delivery and quantity discrepancies. Support Engineering and new product activities by coordinating the purchase of new or revised materials. Respond to schedule changes, material shortages, and unexpected customer demand. Maintain accurate purchasing, supplier, pricing, and lead-time information in the ERP/MRP system. Track open purchase orders and provide timely status updates. Maintain required purchasing and supplier documentation. Analyze purchasing and inventory data to identify cost-saving and inventory improvement opportunities. Monitor supplier pricing and support cost-reduction initiatives and alternative sourcing. Manage expired raw material reports and coordinate requalification or disposal with vendors and Quality. Prepare purchasing reports and metrics as requested. Supports all food safety and quality systems requirements by committing to meet all pertinent regulatory, customer, certifying body, GFSI, and company requirements. Complete other duties as assigned.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Ability to operate a computer, associated peripherals, and general office equipment (phone, printer, etc.) Strong understanding of purchase orders, inventory management, lead times, and supplier relationships. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and the ability to analyze purchasing and inventory data. Strong communication, negotiation, organization, and problem-solving skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. Strong attention to detail. Self-motivated with the ability to learn quickly. Effective verbal and written communication skills. Be collaborative and work well in a team-oriented environment. Willing to contribute to a productive and cooperative atmosphere, show commitment to team objectives, handle day-to-day work challenges, and manage multiple tasks at one time. Ability to read and interpret complex documents. Possess expert math skills including multiplication and division in units of measurement using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, or a related field preferred, or 3+ years of purchasing, procurement, buying, or material planning experience, preferably in manufacturing. Experience purchasing raw materials or other production-related materials. Three (3) or more years of experience with MRP/ERP Systems. (Microsoft Dynamics Great Plains Preferred) Experience in contract manufacturing or a regulated manufacturing environment. Experience with MRP-driven purchasing, supplier negotiations, and cost-reduction initiatives. Familiarity with supplier quality systems and ISO requirements.

APICS/ASCM

certification or supply chain coursework.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Ability to sit, view a computer screen, and use your hands/fingers for six (6) to eight (8) hours. Occasionally (up to three hours) walk through the office and warehouse as needed. Occasionally (up to three hours) reach above/below shoulder level, stoop, kneel or crouch. Ability to speak and hear (in person/phone) throughout the shift (up to eight hours). Good eye/hand coordination. Occasionally lift or carry up to 25 pounds.

Pay:

$70,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Employee assistance program Flexible spending account Health insurance Health savings account Life insurance Vision insurance People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Experience:

Purchasing:

3 years (Required)

Work Location:

In person