Plant Buyer

Role Purpose

The Plant Buyer is responsible for ensuring uninterrupted production by managing material procurement, supplier relationships, and inventory levels. This role requires strong analytical skills, negotiation expertise, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced manufacturing environment while driving continuous improvement initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Procurement & Inventory Management
  • Order and maintain adequate material volumes on-site to support production schedules.
  • Release purchase orders to meet planned production, work-in-process, and finished goods inventory requirements.
  • Monitor material availability and proactively address shortages to prevent production disruptions.
• Supplier Management & Negotiation
  • Develop and maintain strong relationships with suppliers to ensure quality, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.
  • Negotiate pricing, terms, and conditions to optimize total cost of ownership (TCO).
  • Track and report supplier performance using scorecards; implement corrective actions as needed.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Work closely with manufacturing, planning, quality, warehousing, and transportation teams to resolve material issues and react to consumption patterns.
  • Support commodity strategy development and implementation within assigned categories.
• Data Analysis & Continuous Improvement
  • Utilize SAP S/4HANA and Excel for data analysis, trend identification, and cost breakdowns.
  • Drive process standardization and continuous improvement initiatives across procurement and supply chain functions.
  • Analyze supplier cost structures and assess impact on total cost and end pricing.
• Problem Solving & Issue Resolution
  • Work through and address quality issues with suppliers and internal teams to ensure timely resolution.
  • Gather resources and lead action plans for material shortage-related challenges.
• Other Duties
  • Maintain accurate data for parts, vendors, and quality documentation.
  • Perform additional tasks as assigned to support plant operations.

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree required.

Experience (Required)

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in a procurement role within a production or manufacturing environment.
• Experience with supplier management, purchase order processing, and cost optimization.
• Strong experience with ERP Systems, specifically SAP S/4HANA.
• Strong negotiation skills and understanding of total cost of ownership (TCO) principles.
• Analytical mindset with advanced Excel skills for data analysis and trend identification.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a high-volume, fast-paced facility.
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes and ability to work across the entire production floor.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to collaborate cross-functionally and influence decision-making.

Experience (Desired)

• Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.) or Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM), APICS or certification related to Supply Chain desired.
• Yellow Belt Certification.
• Experience with continuous improvement activities and process optimization.
• Experience with Global Supply Management (GSM) processes and systems.

Working Conditions

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds occasionally.
• Must be able to access and navigate all departments within the facility.