Senior Purchasing Specialist

Nordson; Chippewa Falls (WI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Nordson Polymer Processing Systems seeks an experienced Senior Purchasing Specialist to source materials, components, equipment, and services for manufacturing and customer needs. You will evaluate supplier performance, resolve purchasing issues, and partner across teams to improve quality, delivery, cost, and inventory performance.

The role involves reviewing material requirements, creating and maintaining purchase orders in ERP, and collaborating with Engineering, Quality, and Customer Service

Qualifications

• 2–4 years of purchasing experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, business, logistics, or related field preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills across organizational levels.
• Experience with ERP systems; Microsoft Dynamics AX preferred.

Responsibilities

• Review material requirements, monitor supplier performance, and resolve MRP exceptions.
• Create and maintain purchase orders with pricing and delivery updates in ERP.
• Resolve supplier delivery, quality, and pricing issues promptly.
• Develop supplier solutions, including stocking programs and VMI, to cut costs.

Skills

Supplier relationship management

Negotiation skills

MRP/ERP coordination

Cross-functional collaboration

Lean manufacturing

Education

Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, business, logistics, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Dynamics AX

Job description

Nordson PPS , a global leader in Polymer Processing Systems, is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we are looking for candidates who share that same commitment.

Summary of the role

As a member of our team, you will have the opportunity to work in a dynamic and collaborative environment, where your ideas and contributions will be valued and respected.

As Senior Purchasing Specialist, you will source materials, components, equipment, and services to support manufacturing and customer needs. You will evaluate supplier performance and capabilities, resolve purchasing issues, and partner across teams to improve quality, delivery, cost, and inventory performance.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Review material requirements, monitor supplier performance, and resolve material requirements planning (MRP) exceptions.
• Create and maintain accurate, timely purchase orders, including pricing and delivery updates in the enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.
• Resolve supplier delivery, quality, and pricing issues promptly.
• Partner with suppliers to improve quality, lead times, delivery, and costs; recommend cost-saving opportunities.
• Support production needs and provide timely updates to Customer Service on spare parts and backorders.
• Collaborate with Engineering and Quality to resolve drawing, material, supplier, engineering change, and assembly issues.
• Maintain purchasing reports and supplier scorecards; coordinate regular business reviews with suppliers and internal partners.
• Build strong supplier relationships and develop new sources when existing suppliers cannot meet business needs.
• Develop supplier solutions, including stocking programs and on-site vendor-managed inventory (VMI), to support cost savings and growth.
• Coordinate purchasing with Manufacturing, Service, and Engineering to maintain planned inventory levels.
• Monitor assigned subcontracts for cost, schedule, scope, quality, and value, as needed.
• Meet or exceed targets for lead time reduction, supplier on-time delivery, cost and quality management, and scheduling agreement/VMI additions.
• Other duties may be assigned as required.

Education and Experience Requirements

• 2-4 years of purchasing experience in a manufacturing environment, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, business, logistics, or related field preferred.

Preferred Skills and Abilities

• Strong written and verbal communication skills across organizational levels.
• Demonstrated negotiation, planning, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Lean manufacturing knowledge or experience preferred.
• Ability to interpret and communicate basic engineering drawings and specifications.
• Strong organization, attention to detail, and initiative; ability to manage multiple priorities independently and collaboratively.
• Ability to improve processes, influence change, secure resources, and deliver results.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and SharePoint.
• Supply chain experience using Microsoft Dynamics AX or another ERP system.
• Ability to implement project plans and schedules.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The characteristics listed below are representative of the physical demands required by an individual to successfully perform the essential duties of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

• Employee may be required to remain stationary, stand, sit and/or bend frequently or for extended periods of time.
• Employee will frequently be required to actively listen and exchange verbal and written information.
• Employee may be required to observe and assess information received via computer.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The characteristics listed below are representative of the work environment typically encountered by an individual while performing the essential duties of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

About Nordson Polymer Processing Systems

Nordson Polymer Processing Systems designs, develops and manufactures systems to melt, homogenize, filter, meter, and give shape to plastic materials. We craft world-class machines to optimize every part of the polymer processing journey. By joining our team today, you will help us bring innovative ideas to life. Nordson Polymer Processing Systems is a global team that works to create intelligent solutions that help our customers improve their manufacturing process, produce better products and become even more competitive. Our polymer processing technologies and plastic extrusion equipment are used in applications across a wide range