CAPEX and MRO Buyer

Krones AG; Wisconsin; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health/dental/vision benefits

401(k) plan

Job summary

Krones Inc. designs, manufactures and installs packaging systems for beverage and food industries in the US. The Buyer will lead CAPEX and MRO sourcing, manage supplier relationships, negotiate terms, and drive cost reduction while ensuring quality and on-time delivery.

The role collaborates with Engineering, Maintenance and Operations to define requirements, execute RFQs/RFPs, and implement strategic supplier initiatives across CAPEX projects and maintenance spares.

Qualifications

• Education/Experience: Requires a bachelor’s degree or high school diploma with at least 5 years of related business experience.
• Prefer a minimum of 2 years in a purchasing environment with commodity responsibility.
• Knowledge of SAP Applications, Power BI and MS Office Suite.

Responsibilities

• Develop CAPEX and MRO sourcing strategies.
• Lead RFQs/RFPs and competitive bidding processes.
• Negotiate pricing, terms, warranties, and service agreements.
• Identify and implement cost reduction opportunities.
• Support CAPEX projects from sourcing through delivery and implementation.
• Monitor supplier performance and consolidate suppliers/SKUs.

Skills

SAP Applications

Power BI

MS Office Suite

Education

Bachelor’s degree or high school diploma with 5 years related experience

Job description

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Krones designs, develops, manufactures, and installs both machines and complete packaging lines. We have become one of the leading system suppliers for breweries and beverage producers as well as for the food, chemical and cosmetics industries. Our 20,000 employees worldwide strive for innovation and detail and ensure that each customer receives the best quality in product and service.

We are currently looking for candidates who want to make a difference and who wish to be part of our dynamic organization in the US.Krones Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.

JOB PURPOSE or JOB SUMMARY:

The Buyer is responsible for executing corporate commodity strategies across CAPEX and MRO, including capital equipment, machinery, maintenance and repair materials, spare parts, facility-related equipment, and associated technical services. This role actively participates in the development and implementation of sourcing and commodity strategies that support both operational requirements and long-term business objectives.

The Buyer is responsible for identifying, evaluating, qualifying, implementing, and managing suppliers within the assigned commodity portfolio. This includes supporting supplier performance evaluations, conducting supplier reviews and audits, and developing alternative and competitive sources of supply to reduce risk and improve overall supplier performance.

A key responsibility of the position is leading commercial negotiations with suppliers, including equipment and service pricing, payment terms, delivery conditions, warranties, terms and conditions, supply and service agreements, and confidentiality or non-disclosure agreements (NDAs).

The Buyer manages the sourcing and procurement of assigned CAPEX and MRO materials and services, including capital equipment, replacement and spare parts, maintenance supplies, tooling, facility equipment, repair services, and technical service contracts. Responsibilities include competitive bidding, commercial evaluation, contract negotiation, purchase order execution, supplier implementation, and ongoing contract and supplier management.

The Buyer works closely with Engineering, Maintenance, Manufacturing, Facilities, Project Management, Quality, Finance, and other internal stakeholders to understand requirements and ensure effective sourcing solutions.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing and executing CAPEX and MRO sourcing strategies
• Managing RFQs/RFPs and competitive bidding processes
• Negotiating pricing, commercial terms, warranties, and service agreements
• Identifying and implementing cost reduction and cost avoidance opportunities
• Supporting CAPEX projects from sourcing through equipment delivery and implementation
• Improving MRO spend visibility and driving supplier and SKU consolidation
• Developing alternative sources to reduce supply, cost, and operational risks
• Monitoring supplier performance, quality, delivery, and commercial competitiveness
• Supporting standardization of equipment, parts, and suppliers where practical
• Ensuring compliance with corporate procurement policies and approval requirements
• Maintaining a high level of internal customer service while balancing cost, quality, availability, lead time, and operational risk

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Early Supplier Development within Procurement Projects (internal Development Projects (PIP), Sales Phase Customer Projects, Investment Projects).
• Continuous improvement of purchasing processes and tools.
• Negotiation of prices in cooperation with buyers of each business unit.
• Negotiation of terms and conditions.
• Supplier agreements and contracts.
• Implementation of purchasing tools/processes.
• Continuous supplier development according to targets of Lead Buyer/Commodity Manager and supplier quality assurance.
• Performance of continuous market analysis.
• Proposing a commodity strategy on a plant level in alignment with the Department Manager Purchasing.
• Supporting the development of a corporate commodity strategy in the commodity team (consolidation of plant strategies).
• Deriving the plant strategy in alignment with the corporate commodity strategy along with participation with the business unit buyer.
• Communication of the plant corporate commodity strategy to the (plant) purchasing team.
• Realization of the plant corporate commodity strategy.
• Continuous development of the supply base.
• Monitoring of Supplier Performance.
• Securing of delivery dates for plant demands in case of escalations.
• Handling claims and invoice deviations in case of escalations.
• Planning, execution and follow-up of supplier meetings or negotiations.
• Ability to back fill buyers of business units as needed.
• Creation of local spend analysis per commodity and supplier within affiliate / Subsidiaries.
• Consolidation and mapping of the spend analysis into the group reporting.
• The Strategic Buyer also supports the commodity manager in:
• Holding kick-off meeting for implementation of corporate commodity management.
• Benchmarking with global supply base and creating TCO Benchmark within SRM
• Reconsidering commodity strategy.
• Preparing negotiations and contract management in alignment with Buyer of Business Unit (templates, check lists and time schedule).

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Education/Experience: Requires a bachelor’s degree or high school diploma with at least 5 years of related business experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience and/or Training: Prefer a minimum of 2 years in a purchasing environment with commodity responsibility.

SKILLS:

Professional Skills:

• Knowledge of SAP Applications, Power BI & MS Office Suite.
• Knowledge of business administration and knowledge of policies, directives, guidelines, and standards.

Soft Skills:

• General social skills, capacity for teamwork, customer orientation, learning aptitude, problem-solving competence, general project management, time- and self-management, coordination and organizational skills, communication skills, and negotiation skills.

Krones , Inc. offers an outstanding opportunity to be involved with and challenged by leading-edge technologies, further career opportunities to learn and develop skills, a flexible work schedule and a competitive salary and benefits program. Our Krones Benefits program includes a generous health/dental/vision package, and 401(k) program in addition to other benefits.

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A world leader in the processing and packaging industries, KRONES works with some of the largest beverage, food, and consumer packaging brands in the world. With projects ranging from planning and installing fully integrated processing, packaging, and bottling systems to replacing or upgrading individual machines, your work will make a difference by helping deliver vital products to the world.

As a Krones employee, you’ll experience the positive impact of Krones culture from day one. Whether you work on the production floor, in the office, or out in-the-field, Krones strives to create an inclusive environment where all team members feel supported and valued.