The Buyer is responsible for sourcing, purchasing, and managing materials, components, and services that support manufacturing operations. This role works closely with engineering, production, inventory, and quality teams to ensure efficient supply chain performance, negotiate pricing and lead times, and mitigate supply risks.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Procure raw materials, fabricated parts, hydraulic components, electrical components, structural steel, hardware, and other items required for crane manufacturing.
- Generate and manage purchase orders to support production schedules and customer demand.
- Monitor inventory levels and forecasted requirements to ensure adequate material availability.
- Develop and maintain relationships with suppliers to ensure quality, delivery, and cost objectives are achieved.
- Negotiate pricing, terms, delivery schedules, and supplier agreements.
- Collaborate with engineering on new product introductions, design changes, and supplier selection.
- Work closely with production planning and scheduling to support manufacturing needs.
- Track open purchase orders and expedite critical materials when necessary.
- Resolve supplier quality, delivery, and invoice discrepancies.
- Analyze supplier performance and implement corrective actions when required.
- Support cost reduction and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Maintain accurate purchasing records and ERP system data.
- Ensure compliance with company purchasing procedures and ethical sourcing practices.
Required Qualifications
- 3+ years of purchasing or procurement experience within a heavy manufacturing or industrial environment.
- Proven ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, and Bills of Materials (BOMs).
- Strong proficiency in ERP/MRP systems (Epicor experience preferred) and advanced MS Excel skills.
- Demonstrated success in negotiating pricing, contracts, and favorable terms with industrial suppliers.
- Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and cross-functional communication abilities in a fast-paced environment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations, or a related field; equivalent professional experience will be considered.
- Direct procurement background in crane, heavy equipment, trailer, or large-scale metal fabrication manufacturing.
- Deep understanding of sourcing raw & fabricated steel, heavy hydraulic systems, and complex electrical/electronic components.
- Active certification from the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM) or Institute for Supply Management, such as APICS CPIM or CPSM.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Understanding of inventory management and production planning principles.
- Ability to analyze supplier quotations and total cost of ownership.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Attention to detail and a high level of accuracy.
- Ability to build collaborative relationships across departments and with suppliers.
- Proficiency in data analysis and reporting.