Buyer

Nova Instruments; Nashua (NH); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Buyer at Nova Instruments, based in Nashua, NH, will secure materials and services, evaluate vendors, and negotiate pricing to meet cost, quality, and schedule goals. This role reports to the Purchasing & Inventory Manager and requires strong analytical skills and vendor management.

Responsibilities include developing long-term purchasing strategies, reviewing quotes, consolidating suppliers, and managing contracts and inventory levels to optimize working capital.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of negotiation and quote-analysis experience.
• Four-year degree or equivalent experience.
• Strong analytical skills and expert-level Excel proficiency.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills (in English) with employees and suppliers.
• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to follow documented processes.
• APICS CPIM or CSCP certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of long-term purchasing strategies and supplier consolidation.
• Review purchasing buy signals, collect multiple quotations, and purchase electronics and mechanical assemblies.
• Identify single-source suppliers and develop alternative sources.
• Manage contracts, renewals, document management, and risk management.
• Actively manage inventory levels to optimize net working capital.
• Review MRP reports, analyze data, and make recommendations on volume purchases.
• Procure non-inventory items, such as office supplies.
• Report on material shortages affecting production and expedite solutions.
• Assist with donated, scrapped, or obsolete items, including valuation and shipment/disposal arrangements.
• Report on supplier, inventory, quality, and cost improvements to Finance, Operations, and Engineering.
• Coordinate quality and cost improvement initiatives across Engineering, Quality, and Production teams.
• Participate in MRB activities and disposition of non-conforming materials.
• Create and track KPIs and report progress to leadership.

Skills

Negotiation & quotes

Excel proficiency

English communication

Attention to detail

Process compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

Reporting Manager: Purchasing and Inventory Manager

Location: Nashua, NH - Onsite

Position Summary:

The Buyer is responsible for obtaining materials and services and managing vendors in a manner consistent with the cost, quality, reliability, and timing requirements needed to support business goals. The Buyer purchases and negotiates pricing for materials, equipment, and supplies, and evaluates vendor quotes and services to determine the most desirable suppliers. This position is based in Nashua, NH and reports to the Purchasing & Inventory Manager.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the development of long-term purchasing strategies and supplier consolidation.
• Review purchasing buy signals, collect multiple quotations, and purchase electronics and mechanical assemblies.
• Identify single-source suppliers and investigate and develop alternative sources.
• Manage contracts, including renewals, document management, and risk management.
• Actively manage inventory levels to optimize net working capital.
• Review MRP reports, analyze data, and make recommendations on volume purchases based on historical figures and forecasts.
• Procure non-inventory items, such as office supplies.
• Report on all material shortages affecting production and expedite solutions as required.
• Assist with donated, scrapped, or obsolete items (material, equipment, etc.), including valuation and arrangement of shipment or disposal.
• Report on supplier, inventory, quality, and cost improvements to Finance, Operations, and Engineering.
• Coordinate quality and cost improvement initiatives across the Engineering, Quality, and Production teams.
• Participate in Material Review Board (MRB) activities and facilitate the prompt disposition of non-conforming materials.
• Create and track KPIs and regularly report progress to leadership.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Experience, Skills and Education:

• Three to five (3-5) years of negotiation and quote-analysis experience required.
• Four-year degree or equivalent experience.
• Strong analytical skills and expert-level Excel proficiency.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills (in English) with employees and suppliers.
• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to follow documented processes.
• APICS CPIM or CSCP certification preferred.