Junior Buyer

LHH; Lexington (KY); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

LHH is seeking a Buyer to support production purchasing and supplier management in a manufacturing setting. This early-career professional will handle supplier relationships, sourcing, and negotiations, with onsite training and one remote day per week thereafter.

You will coordinate with engineering, quality and operations to meet cost, delivery and quality objectives, maintain BOMs, and support ERP-driven purchasing decisions. This role offers growth into procurement leadership.

Qualifications

• Experience purchasing parts or components in a manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on supplier communication, sourcing, quote evaluation, or negotiations.
• Working knowledge of purchasing processes and manufacturing ERP systems.
• Technical aptitude with BOMs, drawings or engineering change documentation.
• Strong organization, analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritize needs, decide, and communicate across departments.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Purchase production parts and components across mechanical, electrical and hydraulic lines.
• Manage supplier relationships, communicate requirements, monitor performance and resolve issues.
• Request/evaluate supplier quotes, compare pricing and negotiate terms.
• Identify potential suppliers and assess capabilities and quality.
• Coordinate with engineering/operations on material requirements and changes.
• Review BOMs and drawings to support purchasing decisions.
• Maintain purchase orders, supplier data, pricing and procurement records in ERP.
• Support cost reduction initiatives and improve sourcing processes.
• Collaborate with finance to resolve invoice discrepancies and with production on shortages.
• Occasional travel to supplier locations.

Skills

Purchasing in manufacturing

Supplier communication

Sourcing and negotiations

ERP systems knowledge

BOMs/drawings/engineering changes

Organization & analysis

Cross‑functional communication

Microsoft Excel

Education

Related degree (helpful)

APICS CPIM certification (plus)

Tools

ERP systems

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Schedule: Onsite during training; one remote day per week available afterward

Employment Type: Full-time, direct hire

About the Opportunity

An established manufacturing organization is seeking a Buyer to support production purchasing and supplier management. This opportunity is well suited to an early-career purchasing professional with experience buying manufacturing parts or components who is ready to take on greater ownership of supplier relationships, sourcing, and negotiations.

You’ll manage assigned suppliers and commodities, help maintain production material availability, and partner with engineering, quality, and operations to meet cost, delivery, and quality objectives. The team values practical experience, sound judgment, and an interest in long-term growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Purchase production parts and components, including mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic items.
• Manage supplier relationships, communicate requirements, monitor performance, and resolve delivery or quality concerns.
• Request and evaluate supplier quotes, compare pricing, and negotiate costs and delivery terms.
• Identify potential suppliers and assist with evaluating their capabilities, quality, and competitiveness.
• Coordinate with engineering and operations on material requirements, technical specifications, and engineering changes.
• Review bills of materials, drawings, and related documentation to support accurate purchasing decisions.
• Maintain purchase orders, supplier information, pricing, and procurement records within the ERP system.
• Support cost reduction initiatives and evaluate opportunities to improve sourcing and purchasing processes.
• Work with finance to resolve invoice discrepancies and with production teams to address material shortages.
• Participate in occasional travel to supplier locations.

Qualifications

• Experience purchasing parts or components in a manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on involvement in supplier communication, sourcing, quote evaluation, or negotiations.
• Working knowledge of purchasing processes and manufacturing ERP systems.
• Technical aptitude and familiarity with bills of materials, drawings, or engineering change documentation.
• Strong organization, analytical skills, and attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritize competing needs, make decisions, and communicate effectively across departments.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.
• A related degree is helpful; relevant practical experience is highly valued.
• APICS or CPIM certification is a plus.
• Authorization to work indefinitely in the United States.

Why Consider This Role?

• Broaden your experience across sourcing, negotiations, and supplier management.
• Gain direct exposure to engineering, quality, finance, and manufacturing operations.
• Join a collaborative team that supports internal development and long-term career growth.
• Build ownership of purchasing decisions that directly affect production performance.