Senior Buyer

TalentBridge; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative firm is looking for a Senior Buyer to manage procurement in high-mix, low-volume manufacturing. In this dynamic role, you will oversee supplier relationships, negotiate contracts, and ensure timely sourcing of materials. Your expertise will drive cost-saving initiatives and support new product introductions, all while maintaining compliance with ethical sourcing standards. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a forward-thinking company that values strategic sourcing and supply chain excellence.

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of purchasing experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong negotiation and contract management skills.

Responsibilities

• Procure materials and components for multiple projects.
• Manage supplier relationships and negotiate terms.
• Monitor inventory levels and implement stocking strategies.

Skills

Negotiation Skills

Contract Management

Analytical Skills

Organizational Skills

Communication Skills

Supply Chain Risk Management

Project Management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management

Bachelor's degree in Business

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly organized and proactive Senior Buyer with deep experience in sourcing for high-mix, low-volume (HMLV) manufacturing environments. This position is responsible for managing the procurement of a wide variety of components, materials, and services needed to support custom, engineered-to-order products. The Senior Buyer must ensure supplier performance, pricing, and inventory levels are aligned with production schedules and customer demands while minimizing risk and cost.

Key Responsibilities

• Procure materials and components to support multiple concurrent projects with varied specifications, lead times, and quantities.

• Manage supplier relationships, including negotiation of terms, pricing, lead times, and quality performance.

• Coordinate with Engineering, Planning, and Production to ensure timely sourcing of new or revised parts in support of customer-specific build requirements.

• Create and manage purchase orders using ERP/MRP systems; track and expedite deliveries as needed.

• Monitor inventory levels and implement stocking strategies to support project flexibility while minimizing excess and obsolescence.

• Support new product introductions (NPIs) by sourcing and onboarding suppliers capable of meeting the unique demands of prototype and early production phases.

• Develop and maintain a supplier scorecard system to evaluate cost, quality, delivery, and responsiveness.

• Collaborate cross-functionally to identify cost-saving and lead-time reduction opportunities.

• Investigate and resolve supplier non-conformance issues and support corrective actions as needed.

• Ensure compliance with company policies, contracts, and ethical sourcing standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or a related field.

• Minimum of 5–7 years of purchasing experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably in high-mix, low-volume or engineer-to-order operations.

• Strong negotiation and contract management skills.

• Proficient in ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook).

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and projects in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

• Solid understanding of supply chain risk management and strategic sourcing practices.

• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.

Preferred Attributes

• CPM, CPIM, or CSCP certification.

• Experience with lean manufacturing or just-in-time (JIT) procurement models.

• Familiarity with ISO or AS9100 quality systems.

• Technical aptitude to read and interpret engineering drawings and specifications.