Strategic Buyer

Stevens Industries, Inc.; Teutopolis (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Stevens Industries, Inc. is seeking a Strategic Buyer to manage sourcing of raw materials, components, and finished goods. This role supports value streams and directly influences profitability, supply continuity, and operational performance through strategic purchasing decisions and data analysis.

The position involves analyzing supplier performance, negotiating contracts, and collaborating with engineering and operations on cost-reduction initiatives to optimize the supply base.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, logistics, business administration, or related field is preferred but not required.
• At least five years of strategic purchasing or buyer experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong ability to analyze purchasing and supplier data and clearly communicate findings through reports and dashboards.
• Excellent negotiation, sourcing, and supplier-relations skills.
• Proficiency with ERP systems and purchasing software platforms.

Responsibilities

• Identify, evaluate, and develop suppliers through market research and structured analysis.
• Foster strong relationships with suppliers and communicate manufacturing needs.
• Negotiate long-term contracts with pricing, quality, and delivery terms.

Skills

Data analysis

Negotiation

Supplier management

Cross-functional collaboration

Verbal and written communication

Decision making

Education

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management or related field

Tools

ERP systems

Purchasing software

Data analysis tools

Job description

Strategic Buyer

The Strategic Buyer is responsible for sourcing and purchasing raw materials, components, and finished goods for Stevens Industries, Inc.’s value streams. As a critical member of the supply chain department, this position directly impacts the company’s profitability, supply continuity, and operational performance through strategic purchasing decisions, data analysis, and effective management of the supply base.

Duties include:

• Identify, evaluate, and develop suppliers through market research and structured analysis of cost, quality, service, capacity, and delivery performance
• Foster strong professional relationships with suppliers and enhance their understanding of our manufacturing processes and future business needs
• Negotiate long-term contracts covering pricing, quality standards, cost-reduction targets, delivery expectations, and commercial terms and conditions; use relevant market indices and commodity benchmarks to support negotiations, validate pricing, and strengthen cost-control strategies
• Monitor supplier performance and analyze spend, usage, pricing, and performance data to drive continuous improvement in cost, quality, service, and delivery and identify consolidation opportunities, cost exposure, trends, and supply risks
• Analyze purchasing data and clearly communicate findings through accurate reports, graphs, dashboards, and presentations
• Own the purchasing parameters for every item within the assigned commodity portfolio in the ERP, including lead times, order multiples, safety stock, reorder points, and supplier assignments. This role does not routinely place purchase orders. Transactional ordering is performed by the Purchasing Specialists
• Partner with engineering, operations, and value stream teams on new product introductions, material substitutions, and cost-reduction initiatives

Requirements

• At least five years of strategic purchasing or buyer experience in a manufacturing environment; project purchasing experience is a plus
• Demonstrated ability to analyze purchasing and supplier data and clearly communicate findings through reports, graphs, dashboards, and presentations
• Strong supplier sourcing, evaluation, negotiation, and relationship-management skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with strong attention to detail
• Sound independent judgment and decision-making skills
• Proficiency with data analysis tools, ERP systems, and purchasing software platforms
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with internal teams and suppliers
• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, logistics, business administration, or a related field is preferred but not required