Buyer

Kelly Services; Tennessee; On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Transit benefit

Holiday pay

Paid sick leave

Retirement savings plan

Job summary

Kelly Engineering seeks an experienced Buyer to drive metals procurement for NPI and ongoing production, ensuring material availability and optimal costs. You will partner with Planning, Operations, and suppliers to maintain supply continuity and align with demand, capacity, and market trends.

The role requires 2+ years in manufacturing purchasing, metals experience preferred, and strong skills in Excel and SAP. Earned benefits include medical, dental, vision, and retirement options with Kelly.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• 2+ years of purchasing experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Metals procurement experience highly preferred.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, ERP systems (SAP preferred), and planning tools.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and analytical skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.

Responsibilities

• Procure raw materials and components—particularly metals—to support NPI and production schedules.
• Collaborate with Planning and Operations to align material availability with demand forecasts and capacity plans.
• Negotiate pricing, terms, and delivery to optimize costs and supply continuity.
• Monitor supplier performance and resolve delivery, quality, or service issues.
• Maintain purchasing records in ERP systems (SAP) per company standards.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives related to purchasing processes and tools.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with strategic suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Stay informed on market trends and commodity pricing to anticipate risks and opportunities.

Skills

Negotiation

Communication

Analytical thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

SAP

Excel

ERP systems

Planning tools

Job description

Job Description

Job Description

About the Role: We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Buyer to support our New Product Introduction (NPI) initiatives and ongoing production by ensuring the timely procurement of key commodities such as copper, steel, and other metals for our Power Distribution Systems customers. You will play a critical role in driving cost efficiency, aligning purchasing strategies with business needs, and building strong supplier partnerships.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Efficiently procure raw materials and components—particularly metals—to support NPI and production schedules.
• Collaborate closely with Planning and Operations teams to ensure material availability aligns with demand forecasts and capacity plans.
• Negotiate pricing, terms, and delivery schedules to optimize costs and secure supply continuity.
• Monitor supplier performance, addressing and resolving issues related to delivery, quality, or service.
• Maintain accurate purchasing records within ERP systems (e.g., SAP) and ensure adherence to company standards.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives related to purchasing processes and tools.
• Establish and nurture strong relationships with strategic suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Stay current on market trends and commodity pricing to anticipate risks and identify opportunities.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• 2+ years of purchasing experience in a manufacturing environment required.
• Metals procurement experience highly preferred.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, ERP systems (SAP preferred), and planning tools.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and analytical skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, cross‑functional environment.

As part of our promise to talent, Kelly supports those who work with us through a variety of benefits, perks, and work‑related resources. Kelly offers eligible employees voluntary benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, term life, whole life, accident insurance, critical illness, a legal plan, and short‑term disability. As a Kelly employee, you will have access to a retirement savings plan, service bonus and holiday pay plans (earn up to eight paid holidays per benefit year), and a transit spending account. In addition, employees are entitled to earn paid sick leave under the applicable state or local plan.

Why Kelly Engineering?

Kelly Engineering, our team creates expert talent solutions to solve the world’s most critical challenges. We connect you with leading organizations where you can collaborate on innovative projects, work with cutting‑edge technologies and accelerate your growth. Whether you prefer the variety and flexibility of short‑term projects or are looking for a long‑term opportunity, we’re here to guide you to the next step in your engineering career.

About Kelly

Work changes everything. And at Kelly, we’re obsessed with where it can take you. To us, it’s about more than simply accepting your next job opportunity. It’s the fuel that powers every next step of your life. It’s the ripple effect that changes and improves everything for your family, your community, and the world. Which is why, here at Kelly, we are dedicated to providing you with limitless opportunities to enrich your life-just ask the 300,000 people we employ each year.

Kelly is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and we take affirmative action to recruit, employ, and advance qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in the workforce. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to the Kelly Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment. Kelly participates in E‑Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

Kelly may use AI‑powered tools during the recruitment and hiring process. For full details, including how Kelly uses AI, your rights, and how to request a reasonable accommodatio