Strategic Senior Buyer - Global Sourcing & Cost

Alkar; Wisconsin; Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Alkar is seeking a Senior Buyer to oversee commodity procurement, key supplier relationships, and cost effectiveness, ensuring on-time materials and services. Strong negotiation and supplier management are essential to secure optimal pricing and delivery.

The role requires ERP/MRP experience, BOM comprehension, and cross-functional collaboration to support production and R&D efforts. Excellent analytical and communication skills are expected in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Associates degree in business/related field; other candidates may be considered.
• Minimum 5-7 years of purchasing experience.
• Experience using ERP and MRP; and Microsoft Office.
• Experience reading BOMs, drawings, and technical specs is helpful.
• Strong math aptitude, analytical, detail oriented, and efficient in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Sends RFQs to suppliers, analyzes quotes, and negotiates pricing and delivery.
• Manages ERP/MRP data to plan inventory levels and purchases.
• Creates and expedit es POs; coordinates with requisitioning department.
• Maintains supplier relationships and evaluates performance.
• Identifies new supplier opportunities and cost-saving options.
• Collaborates with Accounts Payable and supply teams to resolve issues.
• Maintains compliance with policies and regulations; supports special sourcing projects.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Detail oriented

Strong math aptitude

Education

Associates degree in Business Administration or related field

Tools

ERP system

MRP software

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Word

Job description

Description

General Summary: The Senior Buyer oversees commodity procurement, key supplier relationships, cost effectiveness, along with on time materials and services. Strong negotiation and supplier management.

Principal Accountabilities:

• Sends Request for Quotation (RFQ) to potential suppliers for required material; analyzes quotes and negotiates for best price and/or delivery
• Understanding of market trends, Strong decision-making skills
• Works in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system to collect, analyze, and summarize data trends to help plan inventory levels
• Runs Material Requirements Planning (MRP) daily to ensure proper inventory levels are maintained
• Prepares Purchase Orders (POs) by verifying specifications and price; monitors and expedites POs based on inventory levels and/or production needs; obtains recommendations from suppliers for substitute material and receives approval from requisitioning department
• Meets with suppliers to evaluate performance, resolve supply chain issues and grow vendor relationships
• Identify new supplier opportunities
• Requests, saves, and files critical documentation.
• Partner with Accounts Payable to resolve payment issues.
• Partner with Global/Corporate Supply team as needed
• Attention to detail, ensuring high stands of quality and compliance with policies and legal regulations
• Perform special projects as assigned; e.g. sourcing new material for research and development
• Communicates cross-functionally with various departments including, but not limited to, Accounts Payable, Engineering, Estimating, Manufacturing, Part Sales, and Shipping/Receiving
• Expedite materials, develop and utilize alternative suppliers
• Report, final project review of costs materials and identify strengths and weaknesses
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Associates degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, or a related field. Other candidates will be considered.
• Minimum 5-7 years of related purchasing experience
• Experience using ERP; MRP; Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel
• Experience reading a Bill of Material (BOM), drawings, technical specifications will be helpful
• Strong math aptitude, analytical, detail oriented, and excels in a fast-paced environment
• Strong verbal and written communication skills as well as interpersonal skills.