Strategic Buyer

VEGA Americas; Mason (OH); On-site; USD 85,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

VEGA Americas is seeking a Strategic Buyer to drive supplier selection, sourcing strategies, and contract management that support our business goals. You will identify and evaluate suppliers, negotiate agreements, and collaborate cross-functionally to optimize cost, mitigate risk, and improve supplier performance.

You will lead supplier evaluations, set long-term strategies, manage relationships, and monitor performance with key metrics across purchasing, quality, and operations.

Qualifications

• 4–6 years of sourcing/purchasing experience
• Experience with specialty alloys, preferably stainless steel
• Strong understanding of electronic components, materials, and manufacturing processes
• CPIM or CSCP certification preferred

Responsibilities

• Identify, evaluate, and qualify new suppliers to support capacity and introduce innovation.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Supplier selection

Negotiation

Cross-functional collaboration

Contract management

Cost optimization

Risk mitigation

Spend analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree

CPIM or CSCP certification

Tools

ERP software (e.g., SAP)

Job description

We are seeking a Strategic Buyer to drive supplier selection, sourcing strategies, and contract management that support our business goals. In this role, you will identify and evaluate suppliers, negotiate agreements, and collaborate cross-functionally with teams to optimize cost, mitigate risk, and improve supplier performance.

What you’ll do:

• Identify, evaluate, and qualify new suppliers to support capacity needs, improve competitiveness, and introduce innovation into the supply base.
• Develop and execute long-term sourcing strategies that support organizational goals, including cost optimization, risk reduction, and supplier innovation.
• Build and manage strategic supplier relationships, leading high-level negotiations on contracts, pricing, terms, and multi-year agreements to secure competitive and sustainable value.
• Collaborate with production and logistics on capex-spend for projects.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with operations, engineering, quality, and finance to understand business needs, forecast demand, and align procurement strategy with organizational priorities.
• Conduct market and spend analyses to identify opportunities for consolidation, cost savings, and supplier performance improvements.
• Lead supplier selection and evaluation processes, including RFQ development, bid analysis, and award recommendations based on total cost of ownership and strategic fit.
• Monitor supplier performance using defined metrics (cost, quality, delivery, risk) and drive continuous improvement initiatives with key suppliers.
• Partner with the quality department on supplier audits, performance reviews, and corrective action planning to ensure compliance and long-term capability.
• Proactively identify risks in the supply base and propose mitigation strategies, including dual-sourcing, inventory planning, and supplier development efforts.
• Work with management to develop solutions for sourcing challenges and present strategic recommendations for decision-making.
• Oversee contract lifecycle management, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and alignment with company policies.
• Track market trends, industry developments, and emerging technologies to inform sourcing strategies and provide insights to leadership.
• Ensure timely and accurate procurement activities by coordinating closely with suppliers to maintain delivery, quality, and service expectations.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Experience with specialty alloys, preferably stainless steel
• Bachelor's degree from four-year College or University
• AND 4 to 6 years related Sourcing/Purchasing experience
• OR a combination of education and experience
• Strong understanding of electronic components, materials, and manufacturing processes
• Proven Purchasing experience, preferably within the electronics industry
• CPIM or CSCP certification preferred

VEGA Americas manufactures, distributes, and services process instrumentation to measure level, density, weight, and pressure. Our products have been making industrial processes safer and more efficient for over 60 years.

As an employee, you’ll find VEGA Americas commits itself to the highest quality standards and respect for the individual needs of employees, customers, vendors, and shareholders. Don’t take it from us alone, VEGA has been awarded a Cincinnati Enquirer’s Top Workplace Award for 10 years running!

Our Mission: With innovative technologies and services, we develop solutions that inspire. Through our sense of simplicity and our focus on people, we are looking to the future with curiosity. Locally grounded and globally connected, together we give values a home.

VEGA Americas, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity employer. It is our policy that we will not discriminate against any person based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, disability, or veteran status.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. EOE AA Minority/Female/Vet/Disability