Senior Buyer

Buckeye Fire Equipment Company; Kings Mountain (NC); On-site; USD 95,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Buckeye Fire Equipment Company in Kings Mountain, NC is seeking an experienced Strategic Buyer to lead sourcing, supplier selection, and cost-reduction initiatives for direct and indirect materials. This onsite role emphasizes reliability and continuous improvement across procurement processes.

The ideal candidate will have at least 10 years of buying experience in manufacturing, strong ERP/Excel skills, and a proven ability to negotiate favorable terms, optimize inventory, and collaborate with

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in a Buyer or Senior Buyer role within a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Proven, quantifiable success in cost savings initiatives with measurable results.
• Proven track record of inventory optimization, including reductions in excess inventory or improved turns.
• Deep knowledge of procurement best practices, sourcing methodologies, and supplier negotiation techniques.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end procurement of direct and indirect materials including raw materials, components, and MRO supplies.
• Develop and execute sourcing strategies that drive measurable cost reductions year-over-year.
• Conduct competitive bidding, RFQs, and supplier negotiations to secure best pricing and terms.
• Evaluate and qualify new suppliers aligning with quality, cost, delivery, and sustainability objectives.
• Analyze demand patterns and lead times to establish optimal safety stock and reorder points.
• Collaborate with production planning and warehouse teams to align purchasing with operational needs.
• Monitor and report on key inventory KPIs including turns, days on hand, and excess/obsolete exposure.
• Build and maintain strategic supplier relationships and drive development initiatives.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Cost savings

Inventory optimization

ERP systems

Excel

Data analysis

Supplier negotiations

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management or Business

Tools

SAP

Oracle

Microsoft Office

Job description

ABOUT BUCKEYE FIRE EQUIPMENT

Buckeye Fire Equipment is a leading manufacturer of portable fire extinguishers and suppression systems, trusted by fire protection professionals, industrial facilities, and government agencies for over 58 years. Our commitment to quality, safety, and innovation drives every aspect of our operations - and our procurement team plays a critical role in sustaining that standard.

POSITION SUMMARY

Buckeye Fire Equipment is seeking an experienced, results-driven Strategic Buyer to join our Supply Chain team on a full-time, onsite basis. This role is central to our procurement operations and requires a proven professional who can demonstrate measurable cost savings, optimize inventory performance, and build strong supplier partnerships. The ideal candidate brings at least 10 years of hands-on buying experience and a track record of delivering quantifiable impact in a manufacturing or industrial environment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Procurement & SourcingManage end-to-end procurement of direct and indirect materials including raw materials, components, and MRO suppliesDevelop and execute sourcing strategies that drive measurable cost reductions year-over-yearConduct competitive bidding, RFQs, and supplier negotiations to secure best-in-class pricing and termsEvaluate and qualify new suppliers in alignment with quality, cost, delivery, and sustainability objectives
• Inventory OptimizationAnalyze demand patterns and lead times to establish and maintain optimal safety stock and reorder pointsImplement inventory reduction strategies without compromising service levels or production continuityCollaborate with production planning and warehouse teams to align purchasing activity with operational needsMonitor and report on key inventory KPIs including turns, days on hand, and excess/obsolete exposure
• Supplier Relationship ManagementBuild and maintain strategic relationships with key suppliers, conducting regular business reviews and performance evaluationsDrive supplier development initiatives focused on quality improvement, lead-time reduction, and cost competitivenessResolve supply disruptions proactively, maintaining continuity of supply to the production floor
• Cross-Functional CollaborationPartner with Engineering, Quality, and Operations teams on new product introductions and material change requestsSupport Finance with accurate purchase price variance (PPV) tracking and budget forecastingEnsure compliance with procurement policies, ethical sourcing standards, and regulatory requirements

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in a Buyer or Senior Buyer role within a manufacturing or industrial environment
• Demonstrated, quantifiable success in cost savings initiatives - candidates must be prepared to present specific examples and metrics
• Proven track record of inventory optimization, including reductions in excess inventory, improved turns, or safety stock rationalization
• Deep knowledge of procurement best practices, sourcing methodologies, and supplier negotiation techniques
• Proficiency with ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, or equivalent) and Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret spend data, supplier performance metrics, and inventory reports
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present findings to leadership
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• CPM, CPSM, or APICS (CPIM/CSCP) certification strongly preferred
• Experience in fire protection, safety equipment, or other regulated manufacturing industries
• Background in lean manufacturing or supply chain continuous improvement initiatives
• Experience managing multi-site or global supply chains

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

Within your first year, you will have established trusted supplier relationships, identified and begun executing a pipeline of cost savings opportunities, and implemented inventory controls that measurably improve turns and reduce excess stock. You will be a go-to resource for supply chain decision-making across the organization and a visible contributor to Buckeye's operational performance.