Senior Buyer - MRO

VanTran Industries, Inc.; Waco (TX); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Forgent Power is seeking a Senior Buyer – MRO & Indirect Purchasing to source, negotiate, and manage maintenance, repair, and operations materials and a broad range of indirect goods that support daily plant operations. This role drives cost savings, supplier performance, and compliance across the organization.

The ideal candidate has 8+ years in purchasing with strong MRO experience, excels in negotiation, and can collaborate across Maintenance, Engineering, Operations, Finance, EHS, and IT to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business and Operations Management.
• 8+ years of purchasing experience with strong emphasis on MRO and indirect categories.
• Solid understanding of MRO materials, industrial components, and service procurement in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong negotiation, supplier management, and contract administration skills.
• Proficiency in ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Infor/Syteline, NetSuite) and Microsoft Office tools.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Source, negotiate, and manage MRO materials and a broad range of indirect goods and services.
• Oversee supplier performance through regular reviews and corrective actions.
• Negotiate terms, pricing, and service agreements aligned with policies and risk requirements.
• Collaborate with Maintenance, Engineering, Operations, Finance, EHS, and IT to align purchasing decisions.
• Support capital projects by sourcing equipment, installation services, and spare-parts packages.

Skills

Negotiation

Supplier management

Contract administration

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business and Operations Management

Tools

ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, Infor/Syteline, NetSuite)

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Summary

The Senior Buyer – MRO & Indirect Purchasing is responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and managing all Maintenance, Repair & Operations (MRO) materials and a broad range of indirect goods and services that support daily plant operations. This role ensures uninterrupted availability of critical supplies, drives cost savings, strengthens supplier performance, and supports standardization and compliance across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

MRO & Indirect Service Procurement

• Manage the procurement of MRO materials including mechanical/electrical parts, tooling, consumables, safety equipment, plant supplies, and maintenance services.
• Oversee the sourcing of indirect categories such as facility services, equipment rentals, logistics, and capital project support.
• Review purchase requisitions for completeness, accuracy, and alignment with category strategies.

Supplier Management

• Identify, evaluate, and qualify new suppliers; maintain a strong and reliable supplier network for all MRO and indirect categories.
• Conduct regular business reviews to track supplier performance in quality, cost, delivery, and service.
• Drive corrective actions and manage escalations to ensure continuity of supply and timely resolution of issues.

Contracting & Compliance

• Negotiate terms, pricing, and service agreements with suppliers, ensuring alignment with corporate policies and risk requirements.
• Ensure adherence to safety, regulatory, and company standards in all purchasing activities.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Maintenance, Engineering, Operations, Finance, EHS, and IT to understand requirements and align purchasing decisions with business needs.
• Support capital projects by sourcing equipment, installation services, and spare-parts packages.
• Help standardize preferred suppliers, approved parts lists, and spend practices across departments or multiple sites.

Inventory & Process Improvement

• Support inventory optimization by reducing obsolete MRO stock, improving min/max levels, and promoting strategic stocking programs with suppliers.
• Recommend and implement improvements in procurement workflows, automation, and data integrity.
• Track key metrics such as cost savings, supplier on-time delivery, PO cycle time, and contract coverage.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business and Operations Management
• 8+ years of experience in purchasing, with strong emphasis on MRO and indirect categories.
• Solid understanding of MRO materials, industrial components, and service procurement in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong negotiation, supplier management, and contract administration skills
• Proficiency in ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Infor/Syteline, NetSuite) and Microsoft Office tools.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to multitask, manage competing priorities, and work effectively across departments.
• Professional certification (CPSM, CPM, CSCP) is a plus
• Leadership skills desired.

Disclaimer: The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills required. Forgent Power reserves the right to modify, interpret, or apply this job description as needed.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: Forgent Power is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected class.