Buyer - Aftermarket Americas

Fives; Fond du Lac (WI); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Medical, dental, vision benefits

401(k) with company match

Training and internal mobility

Strong safety culture

Job summary

Fives Giddings & Lewis in Fond du Lac, WI seeks a proactive Buyer to manage high-volume purchasing, expedite orders, and maintain ERP data accuracy. You will collaborate with suppliers and internal teams to ensure part availability and on-time delivery for aftermarket needs.

The role emphasizes data-driven decision making, lead-time reduction, and cost optimization within a fast-paced manufacturing environment. On-site work is required with opportunities for cross-functional growth.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree in Business, Supply Chain, or related field OR equivalent with 3–5 years purchasing experience.
• 3–5 years of procurement, sourcing, or supply chain experience in manufacturing or technical environments.
• Experience purchasing engineered or complex components; machine tool or capital equipment experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Procurement & supplier management, focusing on delivery efficiency and cost for outstanding part needs.
• Create and maintain purchase orders in SAP, ensuring pricing, delivery, and inventory accuracy.
• Evaluate material requirements and demand signals to support production and aftermarket needs.
• Maintain system accuracy through data analysis, updates, and reporting.
• Collaborate with engineering, quality, and operations to reduce lead times and improve on-time delivery.
• Support supplier audits and cross-functional continuous improvement initiatives.
• Act as a liaison between suppliers, manufacturing, engineering, and internal stakeholders.
• Assist with resolving invoice discrepancies and supplier credits.

Skills

Excellent communication

Self starter

SAP

ERP systems

Lean Manufacturing

Analytical mindset

Multiple priorities

Education

Associate's degree in Business or Supply Chain

Equivalent combination of education and 3–5 years purchasing experience

Tools

SAP

Job description

Fives Machining Systems – High Precision Machines Division (HPM)

Position Summary

Fives Giddings & Lewis is actively seeking a Buyer to join our team in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

At Fives, we are all driven by a common calling, to prove that industry can do it! We work together daily to make industry an answer to the world’s most complex technological, environmental, and economic challenges.

For over 200 years, Fives has designed and delivered innovative solutions that improve daily life and enable sustainable industry. As part of the High Precision Machines (HPM) Division, Fives Giddings & Lewis designs and manufactures world-class machining solutions supporting industries such as automotive, aerospace, defense, energy, and heavy equipment.

It is with you that industry can do it!

About The Role

We are currently seeking a highly motivated Buyer who thrives in a fast-paced, transactional environment. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys chasing down solutions, resolving supply chain challenges, and driving urgent actions to support customer needs focused in our Aftermarket.

The Buyer is responsible for managing a high volume of daily purchasing transactions, entering and maintaining accurate ERP system data, expediting orders, and proactively following parts through the entire procurement and fulfillment process. Working closely with suppliers, OEMs, internal warehouses, and cross-functional teams, this individual ensures materials are sourced, tracked, redirected, and delivered to support assembly schedules and customer deadlines.

Success in this role requires strong follow-up skills, attention to detail, persistence, and a sense of urgency to identify and remove obstacles before they impact operations. The Buyer plays a critical role in ensuring part availability, minimizing delays, and supporting on‑time delivery for our aftermarket customers.

Key Responsibilities

At Fives, we all have a part to play. In this role, you will:

Procurement & Supplier Management

• Proactive parts management focused on efficiency for delivery and cost on outstanding part needs
• Support strategic buyers for needs relating to lead times, and stocking strategies to optimize working capital and supply continuity

Operational Execution & System Integrity

• Create and maintain purchase orders in SAP, ensuring accuracy of pricing, delivery, and inventory data
• Evaluate material requirements and demand signals to support production and aftermarket needs
• Maintain system accuracy through data analysis, transaction updates, and reporting

Supplier Performance & Continuous Improvement

• Monitor and communicate supplier performance (delivery, quality, cost) with team
• Partner with suppliers and internal teams (Engineering, Quality, Operations) to:
• Reduce lead times
• Improve on‑time delivery and want date accuracy
• Drive continuous cost reduction and value engineering initiatives
• Support supplier audits alongside Quality and Engineering to ensure compliance and process maturity

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Act as a key liaison between suppliers, manufacturing, engineering, and other internal stakeholders
• Support resolution of invoice discrepancies, supplier credits, and operational issues
• Participate in continuous improvement and Lean manufacturing initiatives

Compliance, Safety & Culture

• Champion a safe and healthy work environment
• Ensure compliance with internal policies, procurement standards, and quality expectations
• Contribute to a culture focused on accountability, collaboration, and operational excellence

Qualifications

Education

• Associate's degree in Business, Supply Chain, or related field OR
• Equivalent combination of education and 3–5 years of relevant purchasing experience

Experience

• 3–5 years of experience in procurement, sourcing, or supply chain within a manufacturing or technical environment
• Experience purchasing engineered or complex components preferred
• Machine tool or capital equipment industry experience is a plus

Key Skills & Competencies

• Excellent communication and stakeholder collaboration abilities
• Self starter and ability to work independently
• Working knowledge of SAP or ERP systems for production and parts knowledge in a high mix / low volume environment
• Understanding of Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement concepts
• Analytical mindset with ability to leverage data for decision-making
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced industrial environment

Why Join Fives?

By becoming part of Fives, you are joining an international industrial engineering group with opportunities for growth and mobility across North America and globally.

We offer:

• Competitive compensation and performance‑based incentives
• Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, and retirement plans
• 401(k) with company match
• Training, development, and internal mobility opportunities
• Strong safety culture and employee engagement programs
• The opportunity to work on cutting‑edge manufacturing technologies

Our Culture

• Industry can drive innovation and sustainability
• People are at the center of our success
• Collaboration and continuous improvement fuel performance

Work Environment & Expectations

• Regular and predictable on‑site attendance in Fond du Lac, WI
• Ability to work cross‑functionally and interact with internal and external stakeholders daily
• Flexibility to support business needs, including occasional overtime if required

Join Us

If you are a results‑driven Buyer with a passion for supply chain excellence, cost optimization, and supplier collaboration, we want to hear from you.

Industry can do it—with you.