Senior Buyer

WESCO Distribution; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

WESCO Distribution is seeking a Senior Buyer to replenish inventory by analyzing data and using systems to make buying decisions. You will pursue the lowest-cost options, expedite supplier statuses, and manage exceptions with internal and external partners.

The role requires strong negotiation, analytical, and leadership skills, with a focus on maintaining inventory availability while minimizing working capital and optimizing supplier performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain or related field.
• 3–5 years of purchasing experience in electrical supply preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Advanced knowledge of purchasing concepts and inventory management.

Responsibilities

• Reviews daily purchasing reports and determines quantities to purchase and creates supplier documents.
• Develops understanding of market conditions affecting cost and material availability.
• Negotiate with suppliers to reduce costs and improve terms.
• Identify new sourcing opportunities to drive cost savings.
• Prepare RFIs/RFPs, evaluate responses, and select suppliers.
• Maintain inventory availability while minimizing working capital.
• Monitor supplier performance on on-time delivery and cost improvements.
• Resolve discrepancies in receiving and supplier invoices.
• Maintain accurate product data, lead times, and pricing in systems.
• Communicate delivery information to internal teams and expedite orders as needed.

Skills

Purchasing experience

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Leadership

Computer skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in supply chain or related field

Tools

Purchasing systems

Job description

As a Senior Buyer a majority of the job is focused on replenishing inventory through analyzing data and use of business systems to make the proper buying decisions, buying products at the lowest costs, expediting product status with Suppliers, and communicating / managing exceptions with internal and external partners.

Responsibilities:

• Reviews daily purchasing reports and system recommendations and determines proper quantities and items to purchase and creates purchasing documents to send suppliers.
• Develops thorough understanding of market and conditions affecting cost and material availability.
• Works with existing suppliers to identify ways to reduce costs within supply chain.
• Identifies new sourcing opportunities to add value and drive cost savings.
• Prepares requests for proposal and quotation and evaluates responses.
• Maintains inventory availability while minimizing working capital investment.
• Negotiates with suppliers for materials, equipment, and supplies.
• Evaluates supplier quotes and services to determine most desirable suppliers per letter of agreement document, and ensures appropriate terms and conditions are used.
• Builds and maintains strong working relationships with sales and branch management and key suppliers.
• Maintains accurate product information, purchasing, pricing, and cost data on applicable company systems.
• Maintains lead time parameters and cross reference tables within purchasing system.
• Establishes and maintains methods of order points.
• Follows up with suppliers concerning order status and communicates delivery information to impacted departments.
• Expedites product delivery with suppliers to ensure customer commitments are met.
• Resolves receiving and supplier invoice discrepancies.
• Reviews supplier shipping errors and determines appropriate action.
• Ensures annual supplier stock rotations to suppliers are on time and accurate.
• Reviews and approves customer returns.
• Assists managers with evaluating supplier performance related to on-time delivery, fill rates and errors, transfer cost improvements, branch support, and other measures.

Qualifications:

• Bachelors Degree - Supply chain or supply chain related.
• 3 years required, 5 years preferred experience in purchasing in electrical supply.
• Advanced knowledge of purchasing and inventory concepts, practices, and procedures in the electrical industry.
• Knowledge of industry suppliers, customers and competitors.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Strong problem solving skills.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Strong computer skills including purchasing and inventory management systems, programs and reports.
• Knowledge of business performance measures.
• Ability to exercise judgment.
• Ability to assume leadership role.

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