What are the responsibilities and job description for the BUYER position at Airsys Cooling Technologi?
Manufacturing Buyer - Data Center HVAC Manufacturing
Job Summary
We are seeking a Buyer to support procurement and supply chain activities at our Woodruff, SC manufacturing facility. This role is responsible for managing the complete Procure-to-Pay (P2P) process, ensuring materials, components, and services are purchased, received, and paid for in a timely and cost-effective manner.
The Buyer serves as the primary liaison between AIRSYS and its supply base while working closely with Manufacturing, Planning, Engineering, Quality, Warehouse, and Finance teams to ensure uninterrupted material flow that supports production schedules and customer commitments.
This role serves as the plant subject matter expert for purchasing processes, supplier management, cost control, inventory support, risk mitigation, and supplier performance management. The position plays a critical role in supporting manufacturing operations, reducing supply chain risk, improving supplier performance, and driving cost savings initiatives while ensuring compliance with company policies and maturing procurement requirements. The buyer will report to the Sr. Procurement Manager, Americas
Key Responsibilities
Procure-To-Pay Management
- Manage the complete Procure-To-Pay process from purchase requisition through supplier payment readiness.
- Review and process purchase requisitions.
- Validate purchasing requirements and approvals.
- Convert approved requisitions into purchase orders.
- Create and issue purchase orders to suppliers.
- Maintain accurate purchase order records in ERP systems.
- Monitor purchase order acknowledgements.
- Track supplier commitments and delivery schedules.
- Coordinate receipt of goods and services.
- Confirm three-way matching of:
- Purchase Orders
- Receiving Documentation
- Supplier Invoices
- Review invoice discrepancies.
- Coordinate resolution of invoicing issues.
- Submit approved invoices to Accounts Payable for payment processing.
- Ensure timely supplier payments.
- Support resolution of supplier payment disputes.
- Maintain compliance with purchasing procedures and internal controls.
- Track supplier performance using established KPIs.
- Drive continuous improvement of the procure-to-pay process.
Supplier Management
- Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned suppliers.
- Monitor supplier performance and partner with suppliers to improve:
- Quality
- Delivery
- Cost
- Responsiveness
- Capacity
- Coordinate supplier communications regarding demand changes and delivery schedules.
- Conduct supplier performance reviews.
- Support supplier development initiatives.
- Coordinate corrective actions for supplier performance issues.
- Partner with Quality and Engineering teams to resolve supplier concerns.
- Escalate critical supplier issues impacting production.
- Support long-term supplier partnership strategies.
Inventory & Production Support
- Collaborate with Production Planning and Manufacturing teams to support production schedules.
- Monitor inventory levels and replenishment requirements.
- Ensure timely procurement of production materials.
- Manage material shortages and supply issues.
- Support MRP planning activities
- Expedite critical materials when required.
- Analyze material demand and consumption trends
- Participate in inventory right sizing initiatives
- Identify excess and obsolete inventory risks.
- Support cycle count and inventory accuracy activities.
- Work with warehouse operations to resolve receiving discrepancies.
Order Management and Expediting
- Monitor open purchase orders.
- Track supplier commitments and delivery dates.
- Follow up on late deliveries and shipment delays.
- Maintain accurate delivery schedules within ERP systems.
- Communicate supply risks to internal stakeholders.
- Coordinate logistics and transportation requirements as needed.
- Support resolution of receiving and shipping discrepancies.
- Manage order changes and supplier schedule adjustments.
- Ensure production-critical materials arrive on time.
Financial and Cost Management
- Support annual procurement savings objectives.
- Track and manage purchase price variance.
- Analyze supplier spending and procurement trends.
- Monitor compliance with negotiated pricing agreements.
- Maintain pricing accuracy within ERP systems.
- Support budgeting and forecasting activities.
- Assist in identifying opportunities for cost avoidance and cost reduction.
- Generate procurement reports and spend analysis.
- Support working capital and inventory optimization initiatives.
Compliance and Documentation
- Maintain complete and accurate purchasing records.
- Ensure procurement activities comply with:
- Company Policies
- Procurement Procedures
- Internal Control Requirements
- Audit Requirements
- Support internal and external audits.
- Maintain supplier documentation and contracts.
- Ensure proper approval workflows are followed.
- Maintain purchasing files and procurement records.
Continuous Improvement
- Analyze procurement processes and performance data.
- Identify opportunities to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
- Support ERP system enhancements.
- Implement process improvements that reduce transaction costs and cycle times.
- Develop procurement metrics and reporting tools.
- Participate in Lean Manufacturing and Operational Excellence initiatives.
- Support standardization of purchasing processes and procedures.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Finance or related field.
- Minimum 5-7 years of purchasing, procurement, or supply chain experience within a manufacturing environment.
- Experience managing supplier relationships and purchasing processes.
- Strong understanding of Procure-to-Pay processes.
- Experience working in ERP/MRP systems.
- Experience supporting production and inventory planning activities.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Preferred Experience
- CPSM (Certified Professional in Supply Management).
- APICS/ASCM CPIM or CSCP certification.
- Experience in HVAC, refrigeration, industrial equipment, or manufacturing industries.
- Experience supporting new facility start-ups or plant expansions.
- Experience with strategic sourcing initiatives.
- Knowledge of international sourcing and global supply chains.
- Experience supporting supplier quality improvement initiatives.
- Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles.
Required Skills
- Procure-to-pay Management
- Supplier Relationship Management
- ERP/MRP systems
- Invoice Reconciliation
- Cross Functional Collaboration
- Problem Solving
- Continuous Improvement
- Microsoft Office
Work Environment
This position is based in a manufacturing environment and requires regular interaction with production, planning, warehouse, engineering, quality, finance, and suppliers. The role may involve reviewing material requirements, coordinating deliveries, resolving supply chain issues, analyzing data, and supporting manufacturing operations to ensure uninterrupted material flow and achievement of operational objectives.