Buyer - Custom Studio 431

Landscape Forms; Kalamazoo (MI); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Landscape Forms is seeking a Buyer (internally titled: Supply Chain Analyst) to partner with design teams and suppliers to turn concepts into production. The role sits in Kalamazoo, MI, with a hybrid schedule requiring onsite presence four days per week.

You will help evaluate manufacturability, balance cost and timing, and build strong supplier partnerships. The ideal candidate has a Supply Chain background, strong analytical skills, and a collaborative mindset to support projects from

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management or equivalent required.
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing and project management tools is preferred.
• Strong analytical skills with data collection, analysis, and evaluation experience.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Studio 431 team to complete projects with reliable, high-quality sources.
• Engage suppliers early to evaluate manufacturability, capabilities, quality, cost and timing.
• Support Supply Chain objectives by aligning sourcing with commodity strategies and sustainability.
• Build and manage supplier relationships, using metrics to evaluate results and award business.
• Identify new suppliers for components and subassemblies and expand approved supplier base.
• Work with engineers, production and suppliers to improve processes for scalability and efficiency.

Skills

Supplier relationships

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management

Tools

ERP systems

Data analysis software

Job description

Help Turn One-of-a-Kind Ideas Into Reality

At Landscape Forms, Studio 431 is where custom ideas take shape. Our team partners with designers and customers to create unique solutions for outdoor spaces-and bringing those ideas to life requires the right materials, manufacturing capabilities, suppliers, and partnerships behind them.

We're looking for a Buyer (Internally titled: Supply Chain Analyst) who enjoys solving problems, building strong supplier relationships, and working across teams to find the best path from concept to production.

This is an opportunity for someone who understands that sourcing is about more than finding a supplier or placing an order. It's about asking the right questions early, understanding how something can be made, balancing quality, cost, timing, and risk, and building partnerships that help us deliver exceptional custom work.

The Opportunity

This role sits at the intersection of supply chain, engineering, manufacturing, supplier partnerships, and custom product development.

You'll work closely with Studio 431 Project Management, Engineering, Production, Supply Chain, and external suppliers to support projects from early development through production.

You'll engage suppliers early to evaluate manufacturability and capabilities, identify and develop sourcing partners, support business awards aligned with our broader commodity strategies, and help ensure production has reliable, high-quality, and cost-competitive sources.

Because Studio 431 specializes in custom work, the challenges are rarely identical. Success requires curiosity, sound judgment, strong relationships, and the ability to think beyond the immediate sourcing decision to understand its long-term impact.

This is a hybrid position based in Kalamazoo, Michigan, requiring you to be onsite four days per week in accordance with our Flexible Work Guidelines.

What You Can Expect

• Support, stability, and the opportunity to grow within a collaborative, design-driven organization
• A competitive benefits package including, but not limited to, insurance benefits available your first day, 401(k), family and parenting leaves, tuition reimbursement, wellness programs, quarterly profit-sharing bonuses, and paid time off
• A highly collaborative environment where you'll work closely with Supply Chain, Engineering, Project Management, Production, and external suppliers
• Exposure to unique custom projects that require creative thinking and thoughtful sourcing solutions
• Opportunities to identify and lead continuous improvement across Studio 431 and broader Supply Chain processes

Who We Are

Landscape Forms is the industry leader in integrated solutions of high-design site furniture and advanced LED lighting. For more than 50 years, we have partnered with designers and clients to create beautiful, functional outdoor environments.

Our secret is simple: Design, Culture, and Craft drive everything we do.

How You Will Contribute

• Collaborate within the Studio 431 team to complete projects on time with reliable, high-quality, and total-cost-competitive sources
• Engage suppliers early in the development process to evaluate manufacturability, capabilities, quality, cost, and timing
• Support Supply Chain objectives by aligning sourcing activities with commodity strategies and sourcing values, including sustainability and risk management
• Build and actively manage supplier relationships, using performance metrics to evaluate results, award business, and implement solutions
• Identify and evaluate new suppliers and partners for components, subassemblies, and complete fabrication of Studio 431 purchased materials
• Maintain appropriate depth within the approved supplier base across individual commodities
• Collaborate with engineers, manufacturing team members, designers, suppliers, tool builders, and other partners to improve Studio 431 processes with scalability, reliability, and efficiency in mind
• Identify and execute continuous improvement projects across Studio 431 and broader Supply Chain processes
• Actively gather continuous improvement ideas from the supply base
• Drive accountability within the supply base and project teams to support internal and external customers

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role isn't simply getting materials where they need to be-it's:

• Building supplier relationships that create reliable, long-term value for Landscape Forms
• Bringing suppliers into projects early enough to positively influence manufacturability, quality, cost, and timing
• Making thoughtful sourcing decisions that balance immediate project needs with long-term Supply Chain strategy
• Becoming a trusted partner to Studio 431 Project Management, Engineering, Production, and Supply Chain
• Identifying opportunities to make our sourcing and Studio 431 processes more scalable, reliable, and efficient
• Taking ownership, following through, and helping teams and suppliers stay accountable to project commitments

Criteria for Success

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing and project management tools
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints
• Familiarity with common quality system processes such as sample submissions and capability studies
• Basic understanding of manufacturing processes involving metal fabrication, concrete, wood, and plastics is preferred
• Strong analytical skills with a working knowledge of data collection, analysis, and evaluation
• A history of achievement with an emphasis on customer service and problem-solving
• Ability to build strong supplier relationships while driving accountability and performance
• A continuous improvement mindset and willingness to take ownership of decisions
• Ability to work independently, prioritize responsibilities, and organize work to meet project deadlines
• Strong relationship-building skills and a collaborative, positive approach to working across teams
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate technical information effectively with individuals at all levels

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

• Primarily office-based with regular interaction in manufacturing and production environments
• May occasionally work in noisy or warm environments and around moving machinery
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds

At Landscape Forms, we believe great work happens when people are trusted to contribute, encouraged to grow, and connected to something meaningful.