Buyer

Vintage Air Inc; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Vintage Air Inc. is seeking an experienced Buyer to own purchasing activities in our manufacturing operation. You will source, negotiate, and manage suppliers to keep production moving and minimize risk.

Responsibilities include managing POs, reviewing demand against MRP, and collaborating with production, engineering, and finance. A minimum of 4 years in direct purchasing in manufacturing is required, with proven negotiation and ERP/MRP experience.

Qualifications

• 4+ years direct purchasing or procurement experience in manufacturing.
• 2+ years purchasing experience in manufacturing/production environment.
• Experience negotiating pricing, lead times, payment terms, and purchasing agreements.
• Experience using ERP/MRP systems to manage material requirements, inventory, purchase orders, and delivery schedules.
• Working knowledge of inventory planning, manufacturing lead times, and supply-chain risk.
• Proven ability to independently resolve shortages, late deliveries, pricing discrepancies, and supplier-performance issues.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Independently manage assigned commodities, materials, components, and suppliers.
• Source and evaluate suppliers based on cost, quality, capacity, lead time, and delivery performance.
• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, lead times, minimum-order quantities, and other supplier agreements.
• Manage purchase orders from planning and issuance through delivery and receipt.
• Review MRP requirements, inventory levels, open orders, production demand, and supplier lead times to make informed purchasing decisions.
• Identify shortages, delays, and supply risks early and develop solutions before production is affected.
• Analyze pricing, usage, and purchasing data to identify cost savings and process improvements.
• Maintain appropriate inventory levels while balancing availability, carrying costs, and lean manufacturing objectives.
• Monitor supplier performance and address recurring issues related to quality, delivery, pricing, and service.
• Partner with Accounting to research and resolve invoice, pricing, and purchase-order discrepancies.
• Collaborate with Production, Engineering, Inventory, Quality, and leadership on new products, sourcing initiatives, and operational priorities.
• Develop alternative sources and contingency plans to reduce supply-chain risk.

Skills

Negotiation

Supplier management

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Multitasking/time management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Logistics, or a related field

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Microsoft Excel

SAP

Job description

Are you an experienced manufacturing buyer who knows how to keep production moving, negotiate effectively with suppliers, and identify supply risks before they become operational problems?

Vintage Air is seeking a proven Buyer to take ownership of purchasing activities within our manufacturing operation. This is not an entry-level purchasing position. The successful candidate will bring hands-on experience managing suppliers, negotiating cost and terms, planning material requirements, and resolving purchasing and inventory challenges in a manufacturing environment.

****NO RELOCATION PACKAGE FOR THIS ROLE**********

What You’ll Do

• Independently manage assigned commodities, materials, components, and suppliers.
• Source and evaluate suppliers based on cost, quality, capacity, lead time, and delivery performance.
• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, lead times, minimum-order quantities, and other supplier agreements.
• Manage purchase orders from planning and issuance through delivery and receipt.
• Review MRP requirements, inventory levels, open orders, production demand, and supplier lead times to make informed purchasing decisions.
• Identify shortages, delays, and supply risks early and develop solutions before production is affected.
• Analyze pricing, usage, and purchasing data to identify cost savings and process improvements.
• Maintain appropriate inventory levels while balancing availability, carrying costs, and lean manufacturing objectives.
• Monitor supplier performance and address recurring issues related to quality, delivery, pricing, and service.
• Partner with Accounting to research and resolve invoice, pricing, and purchase-order discrepancies.
• Collaborate with Production, Engineering, Inventory, Quality, and leadership on new products, sourcing initiatives, and operational priorities.
• Develop alternative sources and contingency plans to reduce supply-chain risk.

Required Qualifications

• At least 4 years of direct purchasing or procurement experience, including responsibility for supplier selection, negotiations, purchase orders, material availability, and supplier performance.
• At least 2 years of purchasing experience within a manufacturing or production environment.
• Demonstrated experience negotiating supplier pricing, lead times, payment terms, and purchasing agreements.
• Experience using ERP/MRP systems to manage material requirements, inventory, purchase orders, and delivery schedules.
• Working knowledge of inventory planning, manufacturing lead times, and supply-chain risk.
• Proven ability to independently resolve shortages, late deliveries, pricing discrepancies, and supplier-performance issues.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to manage multiple suppliers, priorities, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Logistics, or a related field.
• Experience purchasing components, raw materials, or fabricated parts used in automotive or industrial manufacturing.
• Experience with SAP or a comparable ERP system.
• Experience with supplier scorecards, vendor-managed inventory, Kanban replenishment, and lean inventory practices.
• Experience developing new suppliers or transitioning materials between suppliers.Demonstrated purchasing accomplishments related to cost reduction, supplier improvement, inventory optimization, or risk mitigation.

What Success Looks Like

The ideal candidate:

• Takes ownership and follows purchasing issues through resolution.
• Understands that purchasing involves more than issuing purchase orders.
• Anticipates material and supplier risks instead of reacting after production is affected.
• Makes sound purchasing decisions using data, operational needs, and total cost of ownership.
• Builds productive supplier relationships while holding vendors accountable.
• Communicates clearly and proactively with internal stakeholders.
• Looks for continuous improvements in cost, quality, delivery, inventory, and service.

Why Join Vintage Air?

• Stable and growing automotive manufacturing organization
• High-visibility role with a direct impact on production and operational performance
• Collaborative, hands-on working environment
• Opportunity to influence sourcing decisions and supplier performanceCompetitive compensation based on directly related experience