Senior Buyer — Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Leadership

New Leader; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

New Leader in Cedar Rapids, IA seeks a Senior Buyer to develop sourcing strategies, manage key supplier relationships, and lead cost-reduction initiatives. The role emphasizes mentorship of purchasing staff and cross-functional project leadership to optimize inventory and procurement processes.

The Senior Buyer will collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Service, Sales, and Finance to meet project objectives and ensure continuity of supply. Travel to vendor locations is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a business-related field and a minimum of four years of relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proficient understanding of ERP systems.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite with advanced Excel.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Willing to travel to vendor locations.

Responsibilities

• Owns strategic supplier relationships and serves as the primary escalation point for supplier performance issues involving cost, quality, delivery, capacity, and continuity of supply.
• Prepares and issues purchase orders, quote requests and change notices with knowledge of the part and how it’s used; the financial impact of a PO’s administrative costs; and the financial impact of inventory carrying costs.
• Analyzes market and delivery conditions to determine present and future material availability. Develops buying strategies and prepares market analysis reports. Establishes stocking levels, maintains MRP parameters, and evaluates forecast validity.
• Develops and executes annual cost reduction initiatives through supplier negotiations, sourcing optimization, value analysis/value engineering activities, and process improvements.
• Leads purchasing activities for major cross-functional projects involving Engineering, Operations, Quality, Service, Sales, and Finance to ensure project objectives are achieved.
• Strategically identifies and benchmarks alternative suppliers to address any identified cost, quality, delivery or warranty constraints and to drive overall improvements.
• Assesses supplier risk related to financial stability, capacity, geographic exposure, and business continuity; develops and executes mitigation plans when risks are identified.
• Leads in creating, updating, implementing, and abiding by Purchasing Standard Operating Procedures.
• Assists in Capital Expenditure bid proposals and negotiates contracts within budgetary limitations and scope of authority.
• Assists in creating and measuring purchasing metrics to develop suppliers and maintain proper inventory levels while also analyzing and maintaining optimal MRP settings for purchased parts.
• Provides mentorship, technical guidance, and training to Buyers regarding sourcing strategies, supplier negotiations, inventory management, MRP optimization, and supplier issue resolution.

Skills

Verbal and written communication

Independent work

Presentation to managers

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business-related field

Tools

ERP systems

Advanced Excel

Job description

New Leader in Cedar Rapids, IA seeks a Senior Buyer to develop sourcing strategies, manage key supplier relationships, and lead cost-reduction initiatives. The role emphasizes mentorship of purchasing staff and cross-functional project leadership to optimize inventory and procurement processes.

The Senior Buyer will collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Service, Sales, and Finance to meet project objectives and ensure continuity of supply. Travel to vendor locations is expected.