Buyer

Taylor Corporation; Mankato (MN); On-site; USD 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Taylor Corporation in North Mankato, MN is seeking a Buyer to manage the procurement of outsourced products, professional services, and operational services. You will develop sourcing approaches, solicit supplier proposals, and negotiate pricing within delegated authority.

You’ll partner with internal stakeholders to balance cost, quality, delivery, and risk, monitor supplier performance, and maintain purchasing data in systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a related field.
• 2+ years of purchasing, sourcing, or procurement experience.
• Experience soliciting quotations or proposals and managing purchase orders.
• Knowledge of supplier negotiations and total-cost considerations.
• Proficiency with MS Office and an ERP/procure-to-pay system.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage purchase requests and purchase orders for outsourced categories.
• Partner with stakeholders to clarify scope, timelines, budgets, and evaluations.
• Develop and issue RFQs/RFPs; analyze responses and recommend awards.
• Negotiate pricing, lead times, service levels, and payment terms.
• Review supplier agreements and ensure compliance and risk provisions.
• Monitor orders, renewals, delivery commitments, and performance.
• Address delays, quality issues, and invoice discrepancies proactively.
• Build relationships with suppliers and internal partners.
• Analyze spend, pricing, demand, and market data to identify savings.
• Support supplier selection, onboarding, due diligence, and data maintenance.
• Prepare reporting on sourcing results and savings for leadership.
• Provide guidance to junior Buyers on routine purchasing processes.

Skills

Procurement experience

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Communication

Problem-solving

Multi-tasking

Education

Bachelor's degree in supply chain management or related field

Tools

ERP / procure-to-pay system

Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, Word)

Job description

North Mankato, MN Full time Posted Yesterday R30371

Taylor Corporation is a dynamic, diversified company with big plans for the future ― and your career. We power our employees’ potential and strive to create opportunity and security for every member of the team. If you’re ready for something bigger ― more challenge, more variety, more pathways for professional growth ― we should talk. We’re passionate about our work, we believe there is always a better way, and we’re looking for people like you.

Ready to reach your potential? It’s time to look at Taylor.

Your Opportunity: Corporate Graphics Commercial, a subsidiary of Taylor Corporation, is looking for a Buyer to join their team in North Mankato, MN!

The Buyer independently manages the procurement of moderately complex outsourced products, professional services, and operational services. This role develops sourcing approaches, solicits and evaluates supplier proposals, negotiates pricing and commercial terms within delegated authority, issues purchase orders, and monitors supplier performance. The Buyer partners with internal stakeholders to balance cost, quality, delivery, service, compliance, and business risk while identifying savings and process improvement opportunities.

Work Authorization:To be considered for the Taylor opportunities, candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship.

Your Responsibilities:

• Manage purchase requests and purchase orders for assigned outsourced product and service categories in accordance with procurement policies, approved contracts, and delegated authority.
• Partner with business stakeholders to clarify scope, specifications, service levels, timelines, budgets, and evaluation criteria.
• Develop and execute requests for quotation or proposal for moderately complex purchases; analyze supplier responses and recommend awards based on total value and risk.
• Negotiate pricing, lead times, service levels, payment terms, and other routine commercial terms within established guidelines.
• Review supplier agreements and statements of work for alignment with approved requirements, routing nonstandard legal, privacy, security, insurance, or risk provisions for appropriate review.
• Monitor open orders, milestones, renewals, delivery commitments, and supplier performance; proactively address delays, quality concerns, service issues, and invoice discrepancies.
• Build effective relationships with suppliers and internal partners and lead routine supplier performance discussions.
• Analyze spend, pricing, demand, supplier capability, and market information to identify savings, consolidation, risk reduction, and service improvement opportunities.
• Support supplier selection, onboarding, due diligence, documentation, and ongoing compliance requirements.
• Maintain accurate purchasing, contract, supplier, pricing, and performance data in applicable systems.
• Prepare reports and communicate sourcing results, savings, risks, and supplier performance to stakeholders and procurement leadership.
• Provide guidance to Buyer I employees on routine purchasing processes and serve as a procurement resource for business partners.
• Participate in cross-functional sourcing initiatives and continuous improvement projects.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

You Must Have:

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, business, finance, operations, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• 2+ years of experience in purchasing, sourcing, procurement, supply chain, contract administration, or a related function.
• Experience soliciting quotations or proposals, evaluating supplier responses, and managing purchase orders.
• Working knowledge of supplier negotiations, basic contract terms, total-cost considerations, and supplier performance management.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Outlook, and Word, and experience using an enterprise resource planning or procure-to-pay system.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, exercise sound judgment, and work independently within established authority.

We Would Also Prefer:

• Experience purchasing outsourced manufacturing, contingent labor, professional services, facilities services, logistics, technology services, marketing services, or other indirect spend categories.
• Experience with competitive sourcing events, statement-of-work procurement, supplier scorecards, or contract renewals.
• Knowledge of procurement compliance, third-party risk, confidentiality, data protection, or supplier diversity practices.
• Professional procurement or supply chain coursework or certification.

The anticipated annual salary range for this position is $55k-$65k.The actual base salary offered depends on a variety of factors, which may include as applicable, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job. The range listed is just one component of Taylor Corporation’s total compensation and benefits package for employees.

About Taylor Corporation

One of the largest print and communications firms in North America, Taylor’s family of companies provides a diverse set of products, services and technologies that address the toughest business challenges. We work diligently each day to create printed and digital marketing communication solutions that help power many of the world’s most recognizable brands.

With more than 50 years of category expertise and 10,000 employees spanning dozens of U.S. states and multiple countries, Taylor serves businesses and distributors both large and small. Our employees enjoy a comprehensive benefit package including a choice of several health plans, dental, vision, wellness programs, life and disability coverage, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, a 401(k) plan with company match, paid time off (PTO) and 64 hours of annual holiday pay.

The Employer retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position.

Taylor Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disabilit y status.

Taylor Corporation including all partners and affiliates is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.