Junior Buyer/ Tool Crib Coordinator

General Aluminum Mfg. Company; Conneaut (OH); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

General Aluminum Mfg. Company in Conneaut, OH, seeks a detail-oriented Junior Buyer / Tool Crib Coordinator to support procurement and manage the tool crib in our aluminum foundry.

This dual-role position focuses on purchasing production materials while ensuring efficient receipt, storage, and distribution of tools and supplies. You will create and issue purchase orders, monitor supplier performance, and maintain Plex ERP records.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required; an associate degree is preferred.
• 1–3 years of purchasing, inventory control, warehouse operations, or related field experience.
• Experience in a manufacturing or foundry environment is a plus.
• Familiarity with MRP systems and Plex ERP is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the procurement of materials and services for manufacturing operations.
• Create and issue purchase orders; monitor status to ensure timely delivery.
• Maintain purchasing records and supplier data in Plex ERP.
• Communicate with suppliers on delivery schedules, pricing, and orders.
• Support vendor negotiations and cost-saving initiatives.
• Collaborate with Production, Maintenance, Inventory Control, and Quality teams to meet production schedules.
• Receive, inspect, store, and manage tools and inventory in the tool crib.
• Conduct cycle counts and assist with inventories.

Skills

Procurement

Inventory control

ERP systems (Plex)

Data analysis

Vendor relations

MS Office

Communication skills

Safety awareness

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Associate degree in Business or Supply Chain

Tools

Plex ERP

Microsoft Office

Job description

We are seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Junior Buyer / Tool Crib Coordinator to support procurement operations and manage the company tool crib in a dynamic aluminum foundry environment. This dual-role position is responsible for assisting with the purchasing of production materials while ensuring the efficient receipt, storage, inventory control, and distribution of tools, equipment, and production supplies. The ideal candidate is organized, analytical, safety-focused, and eager to grow within a manufacturing environment.

Purchasing Responsibilities

• Assist in the procurement of materials, supplies, and services required to support manufacturing operations, including aluminum alloys, sand, chemicals, PPE, tooling, maintenance supplies, and other production-related items.
• Create and issue purchase orders and monitor order status to ensure timely delivery.
• Maintain accurate purchasing records, pricing information, supplier data, and inventory levels within the ERP system. (ERP system is Plex)
• Communicate with suppliers regarding delivery schedules, quality concerns, pricing discrepancies, and order status.
• Support vendor negotiations and cost-saving initiatives under the direction of senior purchasing staff.
• Collaborate with Production, Maintenance, Inventory Control, and Quality departments to ensure materials are available to meet production schedules.
• Monitor material availability and market pricing trends and communicate significant changes to management.
• Ensure purchasing activities comply with company policies and applicable industry standards.

Tool Crib & Inventory Responsibilities

• Receive, inspect, verify, and store incoming tools, equipment, production supplies, and maintenance materials.
• Count, sort, and verify incoming shipments against purchase orders and packing slips.
• Maintain an organized, clean, and safe tool crib and stockroom.
• Issue tools, equipment, and production supplies to employees while maintaining accurate usage and inventory records.
• Monitor inventory levels and recommend replenishment to prevent stock shortages.
• Conduct cycle counts and assist with periodic physical inventories.
• Maintain accurate inventory records within the ERP system. (Plex)
• Transport materials and supplies to production and other departments as needed.
• Verify that all hazardous materials received include required Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and forward documentation to the appropriate safety representative.
• Ensure all chemicals, containers, drums, totes, and dispensing bottles are properly labeled in accordance with Hazard Communication and environmental regulations.
• Inspect tools and equipment for condition and coordinate repair or replacement as necessary.
• Follow all PPE, safety, quality, and environmental policies and procedures.
• Understand the impact of inventory accuracy and safe material handling on employee safety, customer satisfaction, and environmental compliance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required; Associate degree in Business, Supply Chain, or related field preferred.
• 1-3 years of experience in purchasing, inventory control, warehouse operations, manufacturing, or a related field preferred.
• Experience in a manufacturing or foundry environment is a plus.
• Familiarity with purchasing, materials management, inventory control, MRP systems, and supply chain principles preferred.
• Experience using ERP software (Plex preferred) and Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong organizational skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Effective analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to work effectively with suppliers and cross-functional teams.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Commitment to maintaining a safe workplace and complying with all company safety policies.

Physical & Work Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds on a regular basis.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and reach throughout the workday.
• Must be able to operate material handling equipment as required (training/certification provided if applicable).
• Must maintain regular attendance and be available to work overtime as needed to support business operations.

Join our team as a Junior Buyer / Tool Crib Coordinator to help drive operational excellence through strategic sourcing and efficient inventory control. Bring your enthusiasm for procurement technology, your negotiation skills, and your passion for supporting production success!