Outsource Buyer - Manufacturing Services

Scot Forge Company; Spring Grove (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP

Profit Sharing

Comprehensive benefits package

Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

Job summary

Scot Forge seeks an Outsource Buyer - Manufacturing Services to manage external machining and outsourced services, integrating with Procurement, Engineering, Quality, Operations and Sales to ensure quality, delivery and cost targets.

You will develop sourcing strategies, evaluate suppliers, and negotiate terms while partnering with multi-functional teams to optimize the supply chain for critical manufacturing needs.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or higher required; related experience may substitute
• 5+ years in purchasing, sourcing, or outsourced manufacturing in a manufacturing setting
• Experience with RFQs, supplier performance management, and negotiations
• Practical knowledge of CNC machining and manufacturing processes
• Ability to read/review drawings, routings, and GD&T requirements
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills
• Experience with ERP/MRP and office applications

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for machining and outsourced services
• Identify, evaluate, and onboard suppliers via RFIs, RFQs, bids, and supplier assessments
• Analyze quotations, costs, and supplier capabilities to support decisions
• Negotiate pricing, lead times, capacity commitments and terms
• Manage POs, supplier communications, and outsourced production schedules
• Monitor supplier performance and address delivery or capacity issues
• Lead supplier reviews and supplier development initiatives
• Identify cost reduction and lead-time improvement opportunities
• Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, and Operations to evaluate capabilities
• Support new product launches, make/buy decisions, and outsourcing strategies

Skills

Five years experience

Analytical skills

Negotiation skills

Read GD&T

Communication skills

Read and interpret drawings

Education

Associate degree in Business/Supply Chain/Manufacturing/Engineering Technology

Bachelor's degree in related field (preferred)

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Description

Drive Supplier Performance. Manage Strategic Sourcing. Support Manufacturing Excellence.

Scot Forge is seeking an Outsource Buyer - Manufacturing Services to join our Procurement team.

This role combines strategic sourcing, supplier management, and commercial leadership with practical manufacturing knowledge. The Outsource Buyer is responsible for managing external manufacturing services, with a primary focus on machining and related outsourced operations. Working closely with Procurement, Engineering, Quality, Operations, and Sales teams, you will help ensure Scot Forge has a capable, competitive, and reliable supplier network that meets quality, delivery, cost, and capacity requirements.

Why Join Scot Forge

• 100% Employee-Owned Company (ESOP)
• Profit Sharing Bonus
• Opportunity to influence supplier strategy and manufacturing performance
• Exposure to machining, manufacturing, and supply chain operations
• Cross-functional collaboration with Engineering, Quality, Operations, and Sales
• Comprehensive benefits package

About Scot Forge

Scot Forge is a 130+ year-old, employee-owned manufacturer of custom open die and rolled ring forgings. Our products support critical industries including energy, transportation, manufacturing, mining, infrastructure, aerospace, defense, and national security applications.

As an Outsource Buyer, you’ll help ensure Scot Forge maintains a high-performing supply chain capable of supporting some of the world’s most demanding manufacturing requirements.

What You’ll Do

As an Outsource Buyer, you will:

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for machining and outsourced manufacturing services
• Identify, evaluate, and onboard suppliers through RFIs, RFQs, bidding processes, and supplier assessments
• Analyze quotations, manufacturing costs, and supplier capabilities to support sourcing decisions
• Negotiate pricing, lead times, capacity commitments, and commercial terms
• Manage purchase orders, supplier communications, and outsourced production schedules
• Monitor supplier performance and address delivery, capacity, or commercial issues
• Lead supplier reviews and support supplier development initiatives
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction, lead-time improvement, and supply chain optimization
• Partner with Engineering, Quality, and Operations teams to evaluate supplier technical capabilities and manufacturability requirements
• Support new product launches, make/buy decisions, and outsourcing strategies

Requirements

What You’ll Bring

Required Qualifications

• Associate degree in Business, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Engineering Technology, or a related field, or equivalent combination of experience and education
• Minimum of five years of experience in purchasing, sourcing, supply chain, machining, manufacturing, or outsourced processing within a manufacturing environment
• Experience with supplier sourcing, RFQs, quotation analysis, negotiations, purchase orders, and supplier performance management
• Practical knowledge of CNC machining and manufacturing processes
• Ability to read and interpret manufacturing drawings, specifications, routings, and GD&T requirements
• Strong analytical, negotiation, organizational, and communication skills
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Office applications

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Manufacturing, Engineering, or a related discipline
• Experience sourcing machining, heat treat, NDT/NDE, testing, coatings, or other outsourced manufacturing services
• Hands-on machining, manufacturing engineering, process engineering, estimating, or CNC programming experience
• Experience with supplier qualification, machining cost models, cycle-time analysis, and capacity planning
• Experience in forging, metals, aerospace, defense, nuclear, or other regulated manufacturing environments
• CPSM, CSCP, CPIM, or similar supply chain certification
• Multi-site manufacturing, supplier development, or continuous improvement experience

Work Environment

• Primary office environment with regular interaction in manufacturing areas
• Frequent collaboration with Operations, Engineering, Quality, and Procurement teams
• Travel to supplier locations as needed
• Occasional international travel may be required
• Required adherence to plant safety requirements when visiting manufacturing environments

Additional Information

• Reports to the Corporate Director of Procurement
• Supports sourcing and supplier management activities for external manufacturing services
• Must be able to work effectively with suppliers, technical teams, and cross-functional stakeholders
• Other duties as assigned

Compensation

The estimated pay range for this position is the lowest and highest range we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. We ultimately may pay more or less than the posted range, and the range may be modified in the future. The actual pay offered to a candidate will depend on various factors including but not limited to relevant skills, experience, qualifications, education, certifications, seniority, geographic location and prevailing minimum wage, performance, shift, travel requirements, and business or organizational needs.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits for eligible employees including:

• Medical
• Vision
• Dental
• Hearing
• Life (Basic & AD&D)
• Disability (STD & LTD)
• 401K Plan with match
• Profit Sharing
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Tax Savings (FSA & HSA)
• Vacation Time
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays

Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, or any other form of compensation for any particular employee remains in the Company’s sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with the law.

Scot Forge is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity and inclusion and welcome all qualified candidates to apply.

We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing.