Buyer - Vinton

Sewer Equipment; Vinton (IA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Ideal Industries is seeking a proactive full-time Buyer/Planner to manage end-to-end procurement and production scheduling of fabricated components. This on-site role in Vinton, Iowa aligns material availability with daily manufacturing goals, optimizing inventory and keeping the welding and fabrication shop running at maximum efficiency.

Responsibilities include sourcing, forecasting, and purchasing, master planning in Made2Manage (M2M), implementing Kanban and Lean, building supplier

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business or related field; APICS/CPIM a plus.
• Experience as Buyer/Planner in a manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency with Made2Manage (M2M) or similar ERP.
• Strong knowledge of Kanban and Lean manufacturing.
• Understanding of welding and fabrication processes is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Source, forecast, and purchase fabricated components to support high-volume welding and fabrication.
• Master and execute purchasing and production planning in M2M ERP.
• Implement Kanban and Lean principles to control inventory and flow.
• Build and maintain supplier relationships, negotiate pricing and terms.
• Collaborate with the GM and shop floor to develop and adjust production schedules.
• Analyze purchasing trends and KPIs for cost savings and efficiency.

Skills

Procurement

Planning

MRP/ERP systems

Kanban

Lean manufacturing

Vendor management

Production scheduling

Continuous improvement

Communication

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Operations, or related field

APICS/CPIM certification

Tools

Made2Manage (M2M)

Job description

Ideal Industries is a state-of-the-art welding center and innovative fabrication company aligned with a leading manufacturer of commercial Sewer and Excavation Equipment. We are seeking a proactive and strategic full-time Buyer/Planner to manage the end-to-end procurement and production scheduling of fabricated components. This permanent, on-site role is critical in aligning material availability with daily manufacturing goals, optimizing inventory levels, and ensuring our production team maintains maximum efficiency and output.

Responsibilites:

• Procurement & Planning: Source, forecast, and purchase fabricated components to support a high-volume welding and fabrication environment, ensuring a seamless flow from raw materials to completed assemblies.
• MRP/ERP Optimization: Master and execute purchasing and production planning requirements within the Made2Manage (M2M) ERP system, ensuring accurate lead times and data integrity.
• Inventory & Lean Control: Implement and utilize Kanban and Lean Manufacturing principles to set and monitor stock levels, minimize carrying costs, eliminate bottlenecks, and ensure a lean flow of materials to the shop floor.
• Strategic Vendor Management: Build and maintain long‑term supplier relationships, negotiate pricing and terms, evaluate vendor performance, and resolve any logistics, quality, or billing deviations.
• Production Scheduling: Collaborate closely with the General Manager and shop floor supervisors to develop, track, and adjust production schedules based on material arrivals and capacity.
• Continuous Improvement: Analyze purchasing trends, track key performance indicators (KPIs), and identify cost‑saving or process‑efficiency opportunities within the supply chain.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Operations, or a related technical field is preferred. APICS/CPIM certification is a strong plus.
• Experience: Proven experience working as a Buyer, Planner, or Buyer/Planner specifically within a manufacturing environment is required.
• Technical Skills: * Proficiency with Made2Manage (M2M) or similar robust MRP/ERP systems.
• Strong, practical understanding of Kanban and Lean Manufacturing principles.
• General knowledge of welding and fabrication processes is highly advantageous.
• Soft Skills: Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to bridge gaps effectively between external vendors and internal shop floor personnel.

Location & Commitment:

• Scheduled Hours: Monday – Friday, 7:30 am – 4:00 pm.
• Status: Full‑Time, Permanent, On‑site position located in Vinton, Iowa.