Assistant Buyer

About Artisan Labs:

Artisan Labs is a specialty cosmetic formulator and manufacturer located in Twin Falls County, Idaho. We serve primarily skin care brands sold through specialty and direct-to-consumer channels. Our mission is “Prospering Brands of Distinction through Brandcrafted Service and our FACE Values.” Brandcrafted service means designing our services so customers are treated the way they want to be treated. Our values—Family, Authenticity, Agility, Creativity, Craftsmanship, and Empowerment—guide how we work. If these values resonate with you, we invite you to apply!

BUYER – INGREDIENTS

Job Summary:

The Buyer – Ingredients reports to the Supply Chain Manager and is responsible for purchasing the raw materials needed to support Artisan Labs’ manufacturing schedule. This role manages ingredient purchase orders from order placement through delivery, maintains reliable supplier communication, and works with Supply Chain, Warehouse, Quality, R&D, and Regulatory to ensure materials are sourced to approved requirements, arrive when needed, and are purchased at competitive cost. The Buyer supports accurate purchasing decisions and reliable material availability. The role requires strong follow-through, sound judgment, attention to detail, and comfort working in a changing manufacturing environment.

Job Description:Ingredient Purchasing and Supplier Coordination:

• Review scheduled demand, inventory position, open purchase orders, and supplier lead times to determine ingredient purchasing needs.
• Create, place, and track ingredient purchase orders, confirming price, quantity, pack size, minimum order quantity, lead time, and delivery terms; purchase to cover production demand without avoidable excess.
• Follow up with suppliers on order acknowledgments, production status, shipment dates, and delivery appointments; maintain responsive supplier relationships and current estimated arrival dates in company systems.
• Arrange and negotiate freight for materials ordered, coordinating shipment terms and delivery with suppliers and carriers. Submit and follow any applicable freight claims through resolution.
• Escalate supplier delays, allocation issues, price changes, quality concerns, or potential material shortages promptly, with clear impact and recommended next steps.
• Research suppliers to address ingredient quality, capacity, availability, or lead-time needs in coordination with the Supply Chain Manager.
• Support supplier negotiations and commercial discussions within the authority and guidance of the Supply Chain Manager.

Cost, Inventory Planning, and Purchasing Controls:

• Support the quoting process by reviewing and updating ingredient pricing, identifying cost-effective supplier or ingredient alternatives, and assessing whether supplier MOQs are appropriate for the quoted volume.
• Monitor and report ingredient purchase price variance (PPV), flagging material cost increases or discrepancies for review.
• Balance supplier MOQs, pack sizes, and purchase quantities against forecast demand to limit avoidable excess inventory.
• Support the setup and maintenance of reorder points and safety stock in the ERP/MRP system using demand, lead time, and supplier reliability information.
• Monitor obsolescence risk for ingredients without forecast demand, especially customer-specific materials, and work with Accounting each quarter to identify and charge back customers for eligible unique materials.
• Review open orders and scheduled demand regularly to identify duplicate, early, late, or no-longer-needed purchases; coordinate proposed changes with the Supply Chain Manager and Scheduler.
• Work with the Supply Chain Manager to improve purchasing processes, reporting, and use of ERP/MRP tools.

Quality, Documentation, and Cross-Functional Coordination:

• Purchase against current approved specifications and from approved suppliers. Coordinate proposed supplier or material changes with Quality, R&D, and Regulatory for required review; do not independently approve changes.
• Request and track required supplier documents, including Safety Data Sheets (SDS), Certificates of Analysis (COAs), and other documents specified by company procedures.
• Coordinate purchase order details, delivery information, and resolution of receiving discrepancies with Warehouse; Warehouse retains ownership of physical inventory accuracy and cycle counts.
• Maintain complete purchasing records in company systems, including approved suppliers, quoted costs, lead times, MOQs, pack sizes, purchase orders, and supplier communications.

Education, Skills and Experience Needed:Required

• One to two years of experience in purchasing, procurement, supply chain, manufacturing, or a related environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and/or Google Workspace; ability to maintain accurate records and work with spreadsheets.
• Familiarity with ERP/MRP purchasing and inventory processes.
• Strong organization, follow-through, analytical thinking, and written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and communicate risks early in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Preferred

• Associate’s degree in business, supply chain, finance, economics, or a related field; equivalent relevant purchasing experience may be considered.
• Experience purchasing raw materials or ingredients for cosmetics, personal care, food, pharmaceutical, or other regulated manufacturing.
• Experience with domestic and international suppliers, including extended lead times, transit times, Incoterms, or customs documentation.
• Basic understanding of ingredient documentation and supplier quality requirements, including SDSs and COAs.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person