Buyer III

Fike Corporation; Blue Springs (MO); On-site; USD 68,000 - 84,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Three Weeks PTO + holidays

Medical, Vision & Dental

401(k) with match

Profit Sharing Bonus

Education Reimbursement

Employee Assistance Program

On-site Fitness Center

Safety shoe & glasses reimbursement

Company events & picnics

Free parking

Job summary

Fike Corporation, a blue-ribbon manufacturer in Blue Springs, MO, seeks a Buyer 3 to lead supplier strategy, sourcing, and category management. You will drive supplier development, manage inventory decisions, and coordinate cross-functional efforts to enhance supply chain performance and continuity.

The role requires 5+ years in manufacturing or operations and a business degree. Strong negotiation, analytical, and communication skills are essential to optimize replenishment and risk management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business or related field or equivalent.
• Five or more years in Manufacturing, Purchasing, or Operations.
• Knowledge of Supply Management, Materials Resource Planning and replenishment.

Responsibilities

• Leads supplier strategy, sourcing decisions, and supplier development for continuity and cost competitiveness.
• Influences stocking strategy, demand planning, and supplier stocking programs.
• Manages cross-functional supply chain initiatives to improve performance.
• Improves purchasing/planning processes, governance, and workflows through continuous improvement.
• Resolves complex supply issues with minimal oversight and manages contractual matters.
• Acts as technical/process leader within Purchasing, guiding Buyers and partners.
• Owns category and supplier strategies, risk management, and continuous improvement.
• Maintains confidentiality of all information processed.
• Performs related duties with regular attendance.

Skills

Analytical skills

Inventory knowledge

Project management

Negotiation

Communication

Decision making

Problem solving

Time management

Organization

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business or related field

Tools

Salesforce

Google Suite

Job description

Buyer 3

Fike Corporation, a rapidly growing international manufacturer of pressure relief, explosion protection, fire suppression and detection equipment, has an opportunity for a Buyer 3 position. Fike is a privately held business located in Blue Springs, MO with over 400 employees locally & over 1,200 employees worldwide.

Job Summary

This position is responsible for leading supplier strategy, sourcing, supplier development, category management, inventory optimization initiatives, and supply chain risk management activities. The Buyer 3 influences sourcing, replenishment, and inventory decisions; leads supplier negotiations and contracts; and serves as a technical and process leader within the Purchasing function.

Primary Responsibilities

1. Improves replenishment effectiveness by analyzing supply and demand trends, identifying opportunities to improve inventory performance, resolving complex material disruptions, and recommending changes to replenishment strategies, stocking levels, and inventory policies
2. Leads supplier strategy, sourcing decisions, commercial negotiations, supplier development to improve supply continuity, cost competitiveness, quality performance, and supplier capabilities.
3. Influences stocking strategy, supply planning assumptions, inventory policy, and supplier stocking programs based on supplier capabilities, demand patterns, business requirements, and supply chain risks.
4. Leads cross-functional supply chain initiatives and decision-making in partnership with Planning, Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Customer Experience, and Operations to improve business performance and supply chain effectiveness.
5. Improves purchasing/planning processes, governance, and operational workflows through continuous improvement initiatives, process standardization, system enhancements, and best practice development.
6. Resolves ambiguous, high-impact business and supplier issues with minimal oversight, including supply disruptions, sourcing challenges, contractual matters, supplier performance concerns, and business continuity risks
7. Functions as the technical/process leader and mentor within the Purchasing function by providing guidance, mentorship, training, and escalation support to Buyers and cross-functional partners.
8. Owns category and supplier strategies, supply chain risk management activities, supplier performance improvement plans, and continuous improvement initiatives for assigned suppliers, commodities, or categories.
9. Maintains the confidentiality of all information processed.

Performs related duties as assigned. Regular and consistent attendance is required.

Essential Skills

Subject Matter Proficiency. Analytical. Records Management. Computer Applications. Inventory. Project Management. Critical Thinking. Problem Solving. Decision Making. Relationship Building. Independent Judgement. Effective Verbal and Written Communication. Organization. Initiative. Time Management. Negotiation.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the environment is general office work and the employee is regularly required to walk, talk, hear, see, sit and use hands.

Job Qualifications

REQUIRED: Bachelor's degree in Business or related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Five years or more of post degree experience in a Manufacturing, Purchasing, or Operations environment. Knowledge of Supply Management, Materials Resource Planning concepts, and Material Replenishment processes. Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Windows. Must be a self-starter with good interpersonal skills.

PREFERRED: CPM certification or APICS, CPIM AND CIRM certifications. Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Windows. Familiarity with SalesForce and Google Suite.

Compensation

The pay range for this position is $67,527 to $84,402 a year. May increase depending on the level of experience of the candidate.

Working at Fike

At Fike, our people are our strength.In order to fulfill our greatest potential, we are committed to attracting, growing and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce.Better, Together as OneFike! Plus, at Fike, we offer benefits and perks to help make you smile and feel like family.

Check out our competitive benefits package which includes:

• Three Weeks Paid Time Off (PTO) pro-rated the first year & Paid Holidays
• Medical Plans with FSA & HSA, Vision & Dental Plan
• Paid Life and Long-term Disability Insurance
• 401(k) and Roth 401(k) Plan with Company Match Fully Vested on Day One!
• Profit Sharing Bonus Program
• Education Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program
• On-Site Fitness Center & Award Winning Wellness Program
• Reimbursement for Safety Shoes & Glasses
• Service awards & Recognition Program
• Company Picnic, Quarterly Events and Holiday Lunch
• Free Coffee/Tea, Lunch Utensils, Lunch Room Mini-mart, Free Parking

Refer to Req ID 3917.

Fike isan Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.