Senior Buyer

ASSA ABLOY Group; Mequon (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

ASSA ABLOY Group in Wisconsin is seeking a Senior Buyer to drive supplier negotiations, optimize inventory, and lead cost-reduction initiatives while collaborating with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Finance, and Customer Service teams.

You will analyze demand, lead times, and forecasts, manage supplier performance, and mentor new buyers, turning data into actionable purchasing decisions that keep production moving and customers satisfied.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of purchasing, supply chain, materials planning, or inventory management experience.
• Know ERP/MRP systems and Excel; able to work with technical products and drawings.
• Able to negotiate confidently while building supplier partnerships.
• Enjoy digging into data and solving problems.

Responsibilities

• Manage supplier relationships and source materials to keep production running.
• Negotiate pricing, lead times, contracts, and service agreements.
• Analyze demand, forecasts, and production schedules to stay ahead of inventory needs.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Finance, and Customer Service.
• Lead cost-reduction and continuous improvement initiatives without sacrificing quality.
• Troubleshoot shortages and supplier challenges before impacting customers.
• Create and improve purchasing processes and SOPs.
• Train and mentor new buyers and support other departments.
• Drive supplier performance in quality, delivery, and cost.
• Turn data into decisions through reporting and forecasting.

Skills

Negotiation

Supplier relationships

Inventory planning

Data analysis

Read engineering drawings

Tools

ERP systems (JD Edwards, QAD)

Excel

SQL

Job description

The person who keeps production moving, inventory flowing, and suppliers on their toes.

Are you the kind of person who gets excited about lead times, supplier negotiations, inventory turns, and finding a better way to do things?

Do you love solving supply chain puzzles before anyone else even knows there's a problem?

If your answer is "yes," keep reading.

We're looking for a Senior Buyer to become a key member of our team. In this role, you'll be part strategist, part analyst, part negotiator, and part firefighter. No two days are the same. One minute you're negotiating pricing with a supplier, the next you're analyzing inventory trends, helping resolve a production issue, leading a cost-reduction initiative, or coaching a new buyer.

If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and enjoy making a tangible impact on the business every day, we'd love to meet you.

What You'll Be Doing

• Managing supplier relationships and sourcing materials that keep production running smoothly.
• Negotiating pricing, lead times, contracts, and service agreements.
• Staying one step ahead of inventory needs by analyzing demand, forecasts, and production schedules.
• Working closely with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Finance, and Customer Service teams.
• Leading cost-reduction and continuous improvement initiatives without sacrificing quality or service.
• Troubleshooting shortages, delays, and supplier challenges before they become customer problems.
• Creating and improving purchasing processes, SOPs, and best practices.
• Helping train and mentor new buyers and serving as a go-to resource for other departments.
• Driving supplier performance in quality, delivery, responsiveness, and cost competitiveness.
• Turning data into decisions through reporting, forecasting, and inventory analysis.

What Makes You a Great Fit

You might be our ideal candidate if you:

• Have 5+ years of purchasing, supply chain, materials planning, or inventory management experience.
• Know your way around ERP/MRP systems and Excel.
• Can negotiate confidently while building strong supplier partnerships.
• Enjoy digging into data and solving problems.
• Can read engineering drawings or have experience working with technical products.
• Communicate effectively with everyone from warehouse teams to suppliers to senior leadership.
• Stay calm under pressure and know how to juggle multiple priorities.
• Naturally look for ways to improve processes and drive results.

Bonus Points If You Have

• Experience with JD Edwards, QAD, or similar ERP systems
• Purchasing or Supply Chain certifications (CPP, CPSM, APICS, etc.)
• Experience creating cost models or conducting sourcing analyses
• SQL or database skills

What Success Looks Like

You don't just place purchase orders.

You identify risks before they happen.

You improve processes.

You reduce costs.

You help the business grow.

Most importantly, you make sure our customers get what they need when they need it.

Why You'll Love It Here

• High-impact role with visibility across the organization
• Opportunity to lead and influence without direct reports
• Collaborative team environment
• Continuous improvement culture where your ideas matter
• Variety, challenge, and no shortage of opportunities to make a difference

Ready to put your supply chain expertise to work?

Join us and help turn great planning, strong supplier partnerships, and smart purchasing decisions into exceptional customer experiences.