Senior Buyer - Contract Manufacturing

Midtronics; Illinois; Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision benefits; Life

401(k) with company match

Annual bonus and profit-sharing

Job summary

Midtronics seeks a Senior Buyer for Contract Manufacturing to lead procurement strategy across CM suppliers, ensuring parts availability and lifecycle risk management while partnering with Production, Quality and Engineering to maintain continuous production.

The role emphasizes RFQ/negotiation, BOM validation, and cross-functional collaboration to drive cost-down and supplier performance, with flexible hybrid work in Willowbrook, IL.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree or equivalent work experience in supply chain/operations.
• 5+ years of buying/procurement experience in electronics manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of electronic component lifecycle management and obsolescence/EOL mitigation.
• Experience reading and managing multi-level BOMs.
• Proven cross-functional collaboration with Production, Quality, Engineering, PMs and Leadership.
• Skilled in RFQ processes, supplier negotiation, and contract terms.
• Working knowledge of MRP/ERP software (Epicor, SAP, Oracle) and supplier scorecards.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally to vendor sites.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with leadership risk/status presentation.
• APICS / CPSM / CPM certification a plus

Responsibilities

• Own CM supplier relationships including pricing, capacity, lead times and delivery commitments.
• Monitor assembly health by tracking parts availability and resolving shortages before impact to production.
• Perform component lifecycle analysis and flag obsolescence risk; lead alternates/last-time-buys.
• Validate multi-level BOMs and work with Engineering on ECOs to assess supply impact.
• Partner with Production on build schedules and material readiness.
• Partner with Quality on supplier NCRs, corrective actions, and audits.
• Partner with Engineering on component selection, alternates, and NPI supply readiness.
• Report supply health, risks, and decisions to Project Managers and Leadership.
• Prepare RFQs and POs; negotiate cost, terms, and delivery with CM/PCBA and suppliers.
• Track supplier on-time delivery, quality, and responsiveness; drive continuous improvement and cost-down.
• Identify long-lead-time items and single-source risk; build mitigation plans (safety stock, dual-sourcing)

Skills

Procurement experience

Electronics manufacturing

BOMs management

Cross-functional partnering

RFQ processes

Negotiation

MRP/ERP software

Travel (domestic/international)

Communication skills

APICS CPSM CPM certification (a plus)

Education

Bachelor of Science (Engineering/Business/Supply Chain)

Tools

Epicor

SAP

Oracle

Job description

SENIOR BUYER – CONTRACT MANUFACTURING

Location: Willowbrook, IL – Hybrid

$80,000 - $100,000

Midtronics has an exciting and challenging opportunity for a Senior Buyer to lead procurement strategy for our Contract Manufacturing (CM) supplier base. This is a highly visible role, reporting to the Supply Chain Manager, with regular interaction across Suppliers, Project Managers, Quality, and Leadership. The Senior Buyer owns the end-to-end health of our assemblies — ensuring parts availability, managing component lifecycle risk, and driving supplier performance — while partnering closely with Production, Quality, and Engineering to keep production running without disruption.

Key metrics managed by the Senior Buyer include Vendor Scorecards (Quality, On-Time Delivery, Pricing, Responsiveness), assembly parts availability, and component lifecycle/obsolescence risk. Additional participation in strategic cost savings and supplier risk mitigation activities would also be expected.

a Day In The Life

Typical responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Own the relationship and performance of Contract Manufacturing (CM) suppliers, including pricing, capacity, lead times, and delivery commitments
• Monitor and maintain the health of assemblies by tracking parts availability and resolving shortages before they impact production
• Perform component lifecycle analysis, proactively flag end-of-life (EOL)/obsolescence risk, and lead efforts to qualify alternates or last-time-buys
• Validate multi-level bills of materials (BOMs) for accuracy and work with Engineering on ECOs to assess supply impact of design changes
• Partner with Production on build schedules and material readiness
• Partner with Quality on supplier NCRs, corrective actions, and audits
• Partner with Engineering on component selection, alternates, and new product introduction (NPI) supply readiness
• Report on supply health, risks, and key decisions to Project Managers and Leadership
• Prepare requests for quote (RFQ’s) and purchase orders (PO’s); negotiate cost, terms, and delivery with CM/PCBA and component suppliers
• Track supplier on-time delivery, quality, and responsiveness; drive continuous improvement and cost-down initiatives
• Identify long-lead-time items and single-source risk; build mitigation plans (safety stock, dual-sourcing, buffer strategies)

What You’ll Need

• Bachelor of Science (Engineering, Business, Supply Chain) or equivalent work experience in supply chain / operations required
• 5+ years of buying/procurement experience in electronics manufacturing, with direct experience managing Contract Manufacturing and/or PCB Assembly suppliers
• Strong understanding of electronic component lifecycle management and obsolescence/EOL mitigation
• Experience reading and managing multi-level bills of materials (BOMs)
• Proven track record partnering cross-functionally with Production, Quality, Engineering, Project Managers, and Leadership
• Skilled in RFQ processes, supplier negotiation, and contract terms
• Working knowledge of MRP/ERP software (e.g., Epicor, SAP, Oracle) and supplier scorecards
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally to vendor/supplier sites as needed
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with comfort presenting supply status and risk to Leadership
• APICS / CPSM / CPM certification a plus

What We Offer

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, & Vision Benefits; Life & Disability Insurance at no Additional Cost; 401(K) Savings Plan with Company Match; Annual Bonus & Profit-Sharing Opportunities; Generous Vacation & Holiday Schedules; Reimbursement for Continuing Education & 50% of Textbook costs; Onsite Wellness Screening & Flu Shots; Subsidized Health Club Memberships; Auto Supplier Discounts; Free Charging Stations for Plug-In Hybrids & EVs in Parking Lot; Monthly Employee Meeting/Lunch; Annual Picnic, Holiday and other events.

About Us

Midtronics manufacturers advanced cutting-edge battery testing and charging equipment incorporating wireless communication and data analytics for traditional 12V, 24V, and high-voltage EV batteries for emerging Electric Vehicle platforms. Midtronics is a fast-growing company with an energetic, passionate, and innovative leadership team. As the world is determined to reduce carbon emissions and improve vehicle safety, the rapid evolution of the transportation industry – from electrification and connectivity to autonomous vehicles — Midtronics, is a committed partner in developing superior battery management solutions to meet those exciting challenges in the years ahead.