Buyer

Essex Solutions; Fort Wayne (IN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Essex Solutions in Fort Wayne, IN seeks a Buyer/Planner to lead strategic sourcing and inventory planning for MRO materials and packaging across North American facilities. You will partner with plant operations, maintenance, and corporate sourcing to ensure supply continuity, cost discipline, and policy compliance.

The role emphasizes supplier negotiations, RFQs, and rigorous spend tracking, with a focus on minimizing risk and supporting uninterrupted manufacturing performance through

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience in procurement, and planning within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience in MRO procurement and packaging materials within a manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency in ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Office (Excel, Power BI a plus).
• Strong negotiation, analytical, and vendor management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast paced manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead sourcing activities for MRO and packaging categories, ensuring alignment with corporate strategies and compliance requirements.
• Conduct RFQs, evaluate supplier bids, and negotiate pricing, terms, and service levels to secure competitive advantage and supply reliability.
• Validate requisitions for compliance with MRO Purchasing Policy prior to approval.
• Ensure purchase order accuracy and alignment with approved specifications and all applicable policies.
• Maintain proactive communication with Corporate Sourcing and Supply Chain regarding risks, gaps, or supplier performance issues.
• Escalate urgent procurement situations requiring expedited approval or action.

Skills

Analytical thinking

ERP/MRP proficiency

Data-driven decisions

Negotiation skills

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

SAP/Oracle ERP

Job description

Position Summary

The Buyer/Planner is responsible for the strategic sourcing, procurement, and inventory planning of Maintenance, Repair & Operations (MRO) materials and packaging supplies that support Essex Solutions' North American manufacturing facilities (Fort Wayne, Franklin IN/TN, Torreon, Simcoe, and JCP). This role operates with a customer first mindset, treating plant operations as primary customers and ensuring supply continuity, cost discipline, and compliance with procurement policies and financial controls.

The Buyer/Planner serves as a key partner to plant operations, maintenance, production planning, and corporate sourcing, balancing responsiveness with strategic execution to support uninterrupted manufacturing performance.

Key Responsibilities

Procurement & Strategic Sourcing

• Lead sourcing activities for MRO and packaging categories, ensuring alignment with corporate strategies and compliance requirements.
• Conduct RFQs, evaluate supplier bids, and negotiate pricing, terms, and service levels to secure competitive advantage and supply reliability.
• Validate requisitions for compliance with MRO Purchasing Policy prior to approval.
• Ensure purchase order accuracy and alignment with approved specifications and all applicable policies
• Maintain proactive communication with Corporate Sourcing and Supply Chain regarding risks, gaps, or supplier performance issues.
• Escalate urgent procurement situations requiring expedited approval or action.
• Develop project charters for assigned initiatives, including goals, KPIs, and timelines.
• Assuring that the plant(s) consistently sources from the most competitive suppliers and secures cost-efficient purchasing outcomes.

Customer Service & Plant Partnership

• Serve as a trusted partner to plant operations, providing responsive, solutions-oriented procurement support.
• Maintain strong communication with maintenance, operations, and plant leadership to understand priorities and upcoming needs.
• Respond urgently to critical or unplanned MRO requirements to minimize production risk.
• Provide timely updates on order status, delays, and issue resolution.
• Balance responsiveness with adherence to sourcing strategy and cost discipline.

Cost Savings and Financial Impact

• Deliver weekly cost savings and cost avoidance aligned with departmental goals; maintain accurate documentation in the savings tracker.
• Identify cost-reduction opportunities through data analysis, supplier negotiations, standardization, and material optimization.
• Support corporate sourcing initiatives and cross-functional cost-saving projects.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to evaluate and implement cost-saving ideas and process improvements.

Packaging Planning & Inventory Management

• Manage packaging inventory levels to ensure supply reliability while minimizing excess and avoiding obsolescence.
• Collaborate closely with production planners to anticipate requirements based on schedules, changes, ramp-ups/downs, and shutdowns.
• Establish and maintain min/max levels or safety stock based on demand patterns, lead times, and operational variability.
• Support implementation of new packaging solutions, materials, and suppliers.

Systems, Compliance & Process Discipline

• Ensure all procurement activities comply with corporate strategies, policies, and KSOX requirements.
• Maintain complete and accurate documentation for new supplier setup per Sourcing Work Instructions.
• Ensure purchase order pricing accuracy and maintain up-to-date due dates in iPurchase.
• Close purchase orders for materials not being delivered to maintain system accuracy and audit readiness.
• Demonstrate strong process discipline and adherence to procurement workflows.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with fellow buyers on projects, coverage, best practices, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Share tools, insights, and process enhancements to strengthen team performance and consistency across sites.

Skills & Competencies

Analytical & Technical

• Strong analytical and data driven decision making.
• ERP/MRP proficiency (SAP, Oracle, or similar).
• Market awareness and understanding of cost drivers.
• Ability to interpret demand patterns, lead times, and inventory requirements.

Behavioral & Leadership

• Disciplined, organized, and detail oriented.
• Strategic and critical thinking.
• High integrity, honesty, and transparency.
• Continuous improvement mindset.

Communication & Collaboration

• Strong cross functional communication skills.
• Ability to build relationships with internal teams and suppliers.
• Solutions oriented problem-solving approach.
• Effective teamwork and collaboration across sites.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED equivalent or higher, bachelor's degree on related field preferred.
• 3-5 years of experience in procurement, and planning within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience in MRO procurement and packaging materials within a manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency in ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Office (Excel, Power BI a plus).
• Strong negotiation, analytical, and vendor management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast paced manufacturing environment.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Primarily office-based with regular interaction on the plant floor.
• Occasional travel to North American facilities and supplier locations (5-10%).