Buyer

Utility Solutions Group; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Utility Solutions Group (USG) in Columbus, OH is seeking a dedicated Purchasing professional to manage procurement of castings, springs, diaphragms, and plant supplies. You will work closely with Inventory, Production, and Quality to maintain optimal material flow and avoid shortages.

Qualifications include 3+ years in manufacturing purchasing, ERP/MRP experience, and strong negotiation and planning skills. This role requires on-site work with occasional supplier visits.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of purchasing or buying experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on experience placing and managing purchase orders in an ERP/MRP system.

Responsibilities

• Review ERP/MRP requirements; place purchase orders for castings, springs, diaphragms, paints, labels, packaging, literature, and plant supplies.
• Confirm price, quantity, and delivery date with suppliers; keep ERP approvals current.
• Expedite late or at-risk orders; communicate shortages early to Production and Inventory.
• Prevent stockouts of critical items and manage minimums and reorder levels.
• Coordinate inbound freight, including domestic and international shipments; maintain supplier files.

Skills

Negotiation

Attention to detail

Planning

Communication

Problem solving

Analytical skills

Computer skills

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in supply chain, business, or related field

APICS/ASCM (CPIM or CSCP) or ISM (CPSM) certification

Tools

ERP/MRP system

Spreadsheets

Job description

Job Description

Job Description

work closely with suppliers on price, quality, and delivery, and partner with Inventory, Production, and Quality to keep the plant supplied without excess stock.

Essential duties and responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each of the following satisfactorily; other duties may be assigned.

Purchasing

• Review ERP/MRP requirements and requisitions; place purchase orders for castings, springs, diaphragms, fasteners, other components, paint, labels, packaging, product literature, and plant supplies.
• Confirm price, quantity, and delivery date with suppliers for every order, and keep order acknowledgments current in the ERP system.
• Expedite late or at-risk orders to protect Promise Dates, and communicate expected shortages to Production and Inventory early.
• Prevent any stockout of paint, spring tower labels, boxes, tape, or product literature.
• Purchase equipment, tools, and maintenance items requested by Operation s.

Supplier management

• Request and compare quotes; recommend suppliers based on price, quality, lead time, and reliability.
• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, minimum order quantities, and lead times.
• Track supplier on-time delivery and quality performance; address issues with suppliers.
• Work with Quality on nonconforming material, returns, and supplier corrective actions.
• Develop alternate sources for critical and single-source items.

Cost and inventory

• Look for cost savings through consolidation, volume pricing, alternate materials, and better freight terms.
• Help set and review min/max and reorder levels with the Inventory Supervisor and Production Scheduler. Balance supply against demand to avoid both shortages and excess or obsolete inventory.
• Resolve receiving discrepancies and pricing mismatches with Receiving and Accounts Payable.

Coordination

• Work with the Production Scheduler, Production Supervisors, Order Completion Supervisor, Inventory Supervisor, and Manufacturing Manager on material needs and priorities.
• Coordinate inbound freight, including domestic and international shipments, customs paperwork, and tariffs where applicable.
• Keep supplier files current, including contacts, pricing agreements, certifications, and Safety Data Sheets for paint and other hazardous materials.

Reporting

• Report on open orders, late deliveries, supplier performance, and purchase price variance.
• Report issues to the Supply Chain Manager.

Qualifications

Required

• High school diploma or GED.
• 3+ years of purchasing or buying experience in a manufacturing environment
• Hands-on experience placing and managing purchase orders in an ERP/MRP system.

Preferred

• Associate's or bachelor's degree in supply chain, business, or a related field.
• APICS/ASCM (CPIM or CSCP) or ISM (CPSM) certification.
• Experience buying castings, machined parts, springs, or other mechanical components.
• Experience in natural gas utility products or another regulated industry.
• Ability to read engineering drawings and bills of material.
• Experience with import purchasing, freight, and customs.

Competencies

• Negotiation: secures fair pricing and terms while keeping good supplier relationships.
• Attention to detail: places orders with the right part, revision, quantity, price, and date.
• Planning: anticipates lead times and demand so production never waits on material.
• Communication: keeps suppliers, Production, and management informed about delays and risks.
• Problem solving: finds alternate sources or solutions when supply is disrupted.
• Analytical skills: compares quotes, tracks supplier performance, and spots cost savings.
• Computer skills: comfortable with ERP transactions, spreadsheets, and purchasing reports.

Physical demands and work environment

• The role is mainly office-based, with regular visits to the warehouse and manufacturing floor.
• Sit and use a computer and phone for extended periods.
• Walk the warehouse and production areas to check material status and inspect deliveries.
• Lift up to 50 lb occasionally.
• On the production floor, work around moving equipment, moderate noise, and paint fumes.
• Wear required PPE on the production floor, including safety glasses and safety-toe shoes, and a respirator in designated areas.
• Occasional travel to supplier sites may be required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Company Description

Utility Solutions Group (USG) is a quickly growing manufacturing company headquartered in Columbus, OH that manufacturers natural gas regulators for gas utilities and gas infrastructure across the globe. After acquiring nine pressure regulator product lines from Sensus-Xylem, USG has been quickly growing its headcount to form the team needed to be successful manufacturing.

Ownership is intimately involved in managing daily operations and are ambitious about growth. The company recently acquired seven product lines, and is standing them up in its own facility. This creates a challenging, fast-paced environment for employees and allows access to exciting new career opportunities on a regular basis.

Company Description

Utility Solutions Group (USG) is a quickly growing manufacturing company headquartered in Columbus, OH that manufacturers natural gas regulators for gas utilities and gas infrastructure across the globe. After acquiring nine pressure regulator product lines from Sensus-Xylem, USG has been quickly growing its headcount to form the team needed to be successful manufacturing.

Ownership is intimately involved in managing daily operations and are ambitious about growth. The company recently acquired seven product lines, and is standing them up in its own facility. This creates a challenging, fast-paced environment for employees and allows access to exciting new career opportunities on a regular basis.