Buyer

WaterFurnace International, Inc.; Fort Wayne (IN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

WaterFurnace International, Inc. is seeking a seasoned Buyer to shape commodity strategies, build and maintain supplier relationships, and negotiate cost structures.

You will manage part changes with Engineering and Product Management and mentor the Materials Planner to ensure timely delivery and optimal inventory levels. The role focuses on reducing component costs, managing inventory turns, and coordinating with cross-functional teams to support production and business goals.

Qualifications

• Understanding of technical attributes on commodity components.
• Proficiency in related software applications and methodologies.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, with proven negotiation skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent time management with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Thorough understanding of materials and supplies used in the company.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.

Responsibilities

• Reduce component cost through competitive quoting from the supply base.
• Daily review of inventory levels for commodity responsibilities.
• Optimize supplier shipment lot sizes to balance costs and maximize inventory turns.
• Adapt reporting methods to optimize information transfer with suppliers to fully leverage data.
• Manage and process the product life cycle by quoting new parts, communicating revision changes, and managing obsolescence.
• Draft contracts to be reviewed by senior leaders, the supplier, and legal to include all details of the negotiation.
• Lead/mentor materials planner to ensure on-time delivery and optimal inventory levels.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Time management

Organizational skills

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

5+ years of Buyer experience

Epicor ERP/MRP experience preferred

Supply Chain Management Certificate

Production and Inventory Management Cert

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Epicor ERP/MRP system

Job description

Headquartered in Fort Wayne, IN, WaterFurnace designs and manufactures ultra-efficient, renewable-energy comfort products that provide heating, cooling and potable hot water solutions for use in both homes and commercial buildings. We employ more than 360 people in R&D, Manufacturing, Marketing, and Sales roles across the US and Canada. For almost four decades, our Geothermal Heat Pumps, Water Source Heat Pumps, and Heat Recovery Chillers have been reducing energy usage consumption and increasing comfort in buildings around the world.

Our Purpose

To transform the way we use energy, protect resources for future generations, and give people the freedom to focus on life.

Job Summary:

A Buyer is responsible for creating the strategic direction for commodity assignments, building and maintaining supplier relationships, negotiating costing structures, and developing supplier agreements in accordance with the functional stakeholders at WaterFurnace. In addition, Buyer will be on the front line of managing part changes as needed by Engineering and Product Management.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Materials Planner – Direct report

Duties/Responsibilities (but are not limited to…):

• Reduce component cost through competitive quoting throughout the supply base.
• Daily review of inventory levels regarding commodity responsibilities.
• Optimization of supplier shipment lot sizes to balance costs and maximize inventory turns.
• Adapt reporting methods to optimize information transfer with suppliers to fully leverage timely, useful, and dependable data.
• Manage and process the product life cycle by quoting new parts, communicating revision changes, and managing part obsolescence.
• Draft contracts to be reviewed by senior leaders, the supplier, and legal to include all the details of the negotiation.
• Lead / mentor your materials planner to ensure product is delivered on time, and in the optimum quantity to support production and optimize our inventory levels.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• A demonstrated understanding of technical attributes on commodity components
• Proficiency in related software applications and methodologies.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with proven negotiation skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Thorough understanding of materials and supplies used in the company.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field required.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in a Buyer role
• Epicor ERP/MRP system experience preferred.
• Supply Chain Management Certificate as well as Production and Inventory Management Cert preferred.
• Proven negotiation skills
• Self-Starter
• Excellent communication skills

Essential Functions:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
• Must be able to access all areas of the facility to determine needs.
• May require travel.

Other Duties:

Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.