Senior Buyer - Purchasing | 1st Shift

Wilson Tool International; White Bear Lake (MN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Wilson Tool Enterprises in Minnesota seeks a Senior Buyer to manage complex procurement and logistics for commodities and materials. The role emphasizes experience, independence, and industry knowledge to drive supplier selection and long-term agreements.

You will coordinate with internal teams, analyze MRP, and optimize inventory while ensuring compliance with policy and contract terms. Strong negotiation and analytical skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 3–5 years of purchasing or procurement experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• APICS certification preferred
• Experience in a Lean manufacturing environment is a plus
• Background in purchasing, inventory control, or related functions required
• Background in raw and semi-manufactured steel sourcing and procurement

Responsibilities

• Receives requisitions, reviews them for completeness and accuracy, selects qualified suppliers, requests bids, evaluates quotations, and makes final supplier recommendations.
• Monitors, analyzes, and supports daily MRP system activities, maintains inventory levels, and identifies potential financial exposure.
• Maintains master data related to assigned parts and commodities.
• Prepares purchase orders and long-term agreements with accurate requirements, specifications, and terms.
• Initiates corrective actions to ensure delivery schedules and contract commitments are met.
• Ensures compliance with procurement policies and procedures.
• Collaborates with internal departments to review specs and sourcing requirements, and makes procurement recommendations.
• Ensures supplier quality standards, on-time delivery, lead time management, and safety stock optimization.
• Negotiates pricing, terms, and changes to purchase orders; ensures PO accuracy and compliance.
• Identifies and evaluates new suppliers, including global sourcing opportunities and industry developments.
• Serves as liaison across Wilson Tool Enterprises on global procurement initiatives.
• Leads supplier discussions on pricing, delivery, quality, value analysis, engineering changes, and process improvements.
• Provides guidance and support to other procurement team members.
• Performs other duties as assigned by management.

Skills

MS Office

MS D365

AI tools

Negotiation

Manufacturing knowledge

Education

Bachelors in Business

APICS certification

Lean manufacturing

Purchasing & inventory

Steel sourcing

Tools

MS D365

Job description

JOB SUMMARY: Senior Buyer

The Senior Buyer is responsible for complex and critical procurement and logistics activities related to the purchase of commodities and production materials. This role requires a high level of experience, independence, professionalism, and industry knowledge.

The Senior Buyer is responsible for establishing, coordinating, and administering purchase orders for assigned commodities. This position requires a strong working knowledge of purchasing concepts, practices, and procedures, and relies on experience and sound judgment to plan and accomplish objectives.

The role involves performing a variety of complex tasks with minimal supervision and exercising discretion within established guidelines. Management approval is required for significant purchasing commitments. A degree of creativity and flexibility is expected in resolving procurement challenges and improving processes.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIE

• Receives requisitions and reviews them for completeness and accuracy. Selects qualified suppliers, requests bids as needed, evaluates quotations, and makes final supplier recommendations.
• Monitors, analyzes, and supports daily MRP system activities. Maintains inventory levels for assigned parts and commodities and identifies potential financial exposure related to excess and obsolete inventory.
• Maintains master data related to assigned parts and commodities.
• Prepares purchase orders and long-term agreements, ensuring all requirements, specifications, and terms and conditions are accurately included.
• Initiates corrective actions when necessary to ensure delivery schedules and contract commitments are met.
• Ensures compliance with all procurement policies and procedures.
• Collaborates with internal departments to review specifications and sourcing requirements for new and existing materials; makes procurement recommendations based on findings.
• Ensures supplier quality standards are established and maintained, with emphasis on on-time delivery, lead time management, and safety stock optimization.
• Negotiates pricing, terms, and changes to purchase orders as needed. Ensures all purchase orders remain accurate, complete, and compliant with supplier agreements and applicable regulations.
• Identifies and evaluates new suppliers, including global sourcing opportunities, and stays current on industry developments affecting procurement practices.
• Serves as a liaison across Wilson Tool Enterprises on global procurement initiatives.
• Leads and participates in supplier discussions involving pricing, delivery, quality, value analysis, engineering changes, and process improvements.
• Provides guidance and support to other procurement team members as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned by management.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Excel, Word)
• Experience with ERP systems (MS D365 preferred)
• Ability to effectively use internet-based tools and resources, including AI
• Strong communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills
• Strong organizational skills with a solid understanding of manufacturing processes

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Business or related field, or equivalent experience
• 3–5 years of purchasing or procurement experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• APICS certification preferred
• Experience in a Lean manufacturing environment is a plus
• Background in purchasing, inventory control, or related functions required
• Background in raw and semi-manufactured steel sourcing and procurement

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Strong verbal and written communication skills are required for both internal and external interactions. Must be able to effectively clarify requirements, resolve purchasing issues, and support cross-functional collaboration.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Primarily office-based with occasional exposure to manufacturing environments.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

• Telephone and standard office equipment (fax, printer, calculator)
• Personal computer and Microsoft Office applications
• ERP system
• Internet-based procurement and research tools

WORK SCHEDULE

Generally Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

COMPENSATION

Salary-based position $85,000 - $95,000 DOQ

DISCLAIMER

This job description is not intended to be an employment agreement or contract. Management reserves the right to modify this job description at any time with or without notice.