Senior Buyer: Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Relations

Pelican Products, Inc.; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

401(k) with company match

Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

Health Savings Account

Wellness and mental health programs

Employee discounts on Pelican products

Job summary

Pelican Products, Inc. in Torrance, CA is seeking a Buyer III to secure materials and manage suppliers, driving cost, quality, and delivery improvements across manufacturing.

You will collaborate with Engineering, Product Development, and Manufacturing to meet production needs, evaluate new suppliers, and lead supplier qualification under ISO procedures, with a strong emphasis on cost savings and performance metrics. This role offers growth within a globally trusted brand.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5–7 years of purchasing, procurement, or sourcing experience.
• Experience negotiating supplier pricing, contracts, and purchasing terms.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, engineering specifications, and product requirements.
• Experience working with ERP systems to manage purchase orders, material information, and purchasing activities.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to evaluate costs, supplier performance, and purchasing trends.
• Ability to manage multiple purchasing priorities while meeting production schedules and business requirements.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills when working with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Experience developing commodity strategies and supplier qualification.

Responsibilities

• Manage purchasing activities for materials and supplies supporting monthly production requirements, with an annual purchasing spend of approximately $5 million to $10 million.
• Review approved purchase requisitions and ERP requirements to issue purchase orders and maintain material availability.
• Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships while monitoring performance against KPIs.
• Work with suppliers to improve on-time delivery, resolve past-due orders, and address quality concerns.
• Negotiate supplier pricing, contracts, and purchasing terms to support cost savings and business objectives.
• Evaluate suppliers and recommend sourcing decisions based on pricing, quality, delivery, and operational requirements.
• Lead new supplier qualification activities in accordance with established ISO procedures.
• Develop and execute commodity strategies and purchasing plans that support production and long-term business needs.
• Monitor inventory levels, coordinate supplier shipments, and identify potential material shortages or supply risks.
• Maintain accurate purchasing and material master data within ERP systems, including import and export information.
• Partner with Product Development and Engineering to evaluate and approve new suppliers, materials, and products.
• Analyze purchasing trends, material costs, and supplier performance to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Recommend improvements to purchasing procedures, inventory management, and material planning processes.
• Provide guidance, training, and mentorship to other Buyers as needed.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Skills

Supplier management

Negotiation

Reading technical drawings

Cost analysis

Supply chain

Communication

Procurement planning

Multitasking

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Pelican Products, Inc. in Torrance, CA is seeking a Buyer III to secure materials and manage suppliers, driving cost, quality, and delivery improvements across manufacturing.

You will collaborate with Engineering, Product Development, and Manufacturing to meet production needs, evaluate new suppliers, and lead supplier qualification under ISO procedures, with a strong emphasis on cost savings and performance metrics. This role offers growth within a globally trusted brand.