Senior Buyer

Rite-Hite Engineered Solutions Group Inc.; Dubuque (IA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Well-being program

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Rite-Hite Engineered Solutions Group Inc. in Dubuque seeks a Senior Buyer to lead strategic sourcing, supplier management, and timely procurement for manufacturing operations.

You will shape supplier strategies, negotiate long-term agreements, and drive cost and risk reductions across the business. As a senior contributor, you will manage supplier performance, collaborate with Operations, Engineering, Quality, and Finance, and support new product development with sourcing insights.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, supply chain, business, operations, or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive purchasing/procurement or supply chain experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience supporting complex or configurable manufactured products.
• Experience leading cost reduction or value engineering initiatives.
• Experience using ERP systems (e.g., Oracle JD Edwards) preferred.
• APICS CPIM/CSCP/CPSM or similar certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute supplier strategies aligned with cost, capacity, quality, and service objectives, ensuring mid-term supply continuity and operational stability.
• Lead supplier negotiations, long-term agreements and pricing strategies to optimize total cost of ownership while supporting cost savings and avoidance initiatives across the business.
• Drive supplier performance management through scorecards, performance reviews and corrective action plans to improve delivery, quality and reliability.
• Identify, assess and mitigate supply chain risks including capacity constraints, single-source dependencies and material availability issues, ensuring proactive continuity planning.
• Analyze part consumption patterns demand variability and supply conditions to define and influence inventory strategies including safety stock, service levels and inventory turns.
• Partner cross-functionally with Operations, Engineering, Quality and Finance to align sourcing strategies with production schedules capacity constraints and new product development (NPD) requirements.
• Support new product development by evaluating supplier capability capacity and readiness and advising on sourcing and material flow strategies during NPD phases.
• Monitor demand capacity and market trends to proactively recommend sourcing planning and risk mitigation strategies.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to Buyer/Planner roles ensuring effective purchase order management issue resolution and adherence to procurement best practices.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of procurement planning and ERP/MRP processes including automation data accuracy and process efficiency enhancements.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Supplier negotiations

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Excel proficiency

Financial acumen

Mentoring or leadership

MRP/ERP knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering / related field

APICS CPIM/CSCP/CPSM or similar certification preferred

Tools

JD Edwards ERP

Spendonomics Procurable

Job description

At Rite-Hite, your work makes an impact. As the global leader in loading dock and door equipment, we design and deliver solutions that keep our customers safe, secure, and productive. Here, you’ll find innovation, stability, and the chance to grow your career as part of a team that’s always looking ahead. Rite-Hite is seeking a Senior Buyer to join our team out of our Dubuque location. In this role, you'll lead strategic sourcing and supplier management initiatives while ensuring the timely procurement of materials that keep our manufacturing operations running smoothly.

Working cross-functionally with internal teams and supplier partners, you'll drive cost, quality, and supply performance to support our business and customers.

Safety Responsibilities

Support and promote a culture of safety.

Follow all Company and OSHA safety policies and procedures. Proper use of required personal protective equipment (PPE) Report hazards, near misses and incidents promptly.

Job Responsibilities

Develop and execute supplier strategies aligned with cost, capacity, quality, and service objectives, ensuring mid-term supply continuity and operational stability.

Lead supplier negotiations, long-term agreements and pricing strategies to optimize total cost of ownership while supporting cost savings and avoidance initiatives across the business.

Drive supplier performance management through scorecards, performance reviews and corrective action plans to improve delivery, quality and reliability.

Identify, assess and mitigate supply chain risks including capacity constraints, single-source dependencies and material availability issues, ensuring proactive continuity planning.

Analyze part consumption patterns demand variability and supply conditions to define and influence inventory strategies including safety stock, service levels and inventory turns.

Partner cross-functionally with Operations, Engineering, Quality and Finance to align sourcing strategies with production schedules capacity constraints and new product development (NPD) requirements.

Support new product development by evaluating supplier capability capacity and readiness and advising on sourcing and material flow strategies during NPD phases.

Monitor demand capacity and market trends to proactively recommend sourcing planning and risk mitigation strategies.

Provide guidance and mentorship to Buyer/Planner roles ensuring effective purchase order management issue resolution and adherence to procurement best practices.

Contribute to continuous improvement of procurement planning and ERP/MRP processes including automation data accuracy and process efficiency enhancements.

Education & Experience

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Supply Chain, Business, Operations Management or related field or equivalent experience.

Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in purchasing procurement or supply chain within a manufacturing environment.

Experience supporting complex or configurable manufactured products.

Experience leading cost reduction or value engineering initiatives.

Experience using supply chain tools (e.g. Supplier EDI Spendonomics Procurable).

Experience with ERP systems (e.g. Oracle JD Edwards) preferred.

Certifications/License None required.

Certifications/License APICS CPIM or CSCP CPSM or similar certification preferred.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Strong strategic sourcing and supplier negotiation skills.

Proven ability to analyze data and balance cost service and risk.

Working knowledge of MRP ERP systems JD Edwards preferred.

Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.

Strong communication influence and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Experience mentoring or leading others in a non-direct supervisory capacity.

Strong financial acumen and understanding of total cost of ownership.

Role Specific Compliance Requirements

Ability to meet customer site access and safety requirements (if applicable).

Must meet company motor vehicle record (MVR) standards (if driving is required).

Ability to pass background check.

Eligibility to work in the United States.

Work Location, Schedule and Environment

Work Environment: Office environment with regular interaction with manufacturing and suppliers. While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to talk and hear and use hands to manipulate objects or controls. The employee is regularly required to stand and walk. On occasion the employee may be required to stoop bend or reach above the shoulders. The employee must occasionally lift up to 25 pounds. Specific conditions of this job are typical of frequent and continuous computer based work requiring periods of sitting close vision and the ability to adjust focus. Occasional travel may be required.

Disclaimer All responsibilities and requirements are subject to possible modifications to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. This Job description in no way states or implies that these are the only responsibilities to be performed by an employee occupying this job. This job description is subject to change and the employer retains the right to change or modify the duties of this job at any time.

What We Offer

• Health & Well-being Comprehensive medical dental and vision coverage plus life and disability insurance.
• A robust well-being program with an opportunity to receive an extra day off and more.
• Financial Security A strong retirement savings program with 401(k) company match and profit sharing.
• Time for You Paid holidays vacation time and personal sick days each year.

Join us and build a career where you’re supported – at work and beyond.

Rite-Hite is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin age disability veteran status or any other protected characteristic under federal state or local law.

In accordance with VEVRAA we are committed to providing equal employment opportunities for protected veterans. We also committed to maintaining a drug free workplace for the safety of our employees and customers.

Rite-Hite is a world leader in the manufacture sale and service of loading dock equipment industrial doors safety barriers HVLS fans industrial curtain walls and more all designed to improve safety security productivity energy savings and environmental control.

Watch Rite-Hite's Always Looking Ahead video below to learn more.