What are the responsibilities and job description for the Buyer position at Fairbanks Scales?
Summary
The Buyer is responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and procuring goods, materials, and services to support business operations, focusing on timely delivery, cost efficiency, quality standards, and compliance by leveraging ERP tools for accurate transaction processing, inventory management, and reporting.
Essential Job Duties
- Review purchase requisitions, create and manage purchase orders (POs) in the ERP system, and ensure accurate data entry for suppliers, pricing, and delivery details.
- Source suppliers, evaluate quotes, negotiate pricing, terms, and contracts to achieve cost savings and optimal value.
- Monitor inventory levels, analyze demand via MRP/ERP reports, and maintain appropriate stock to avoid shortages or overstocking.
- Track and expedite orders, update delivery dates and statuses in the ERP system, and resolve discrepancies with suppliers or internal teams.
- Maintain supplier records, performance metrics, and documentation (e.g., COAs, SDS) within the ERP platform.
- Collaborate with accounting for invoice reconciliation, payments, and ERP system accuracy.
- Conduct market research, analyze spend data, and identify opportunities for process improvements or supplier consolidation.
- Support inventory adjustments, cycle counts, and physical inventories in the ERP system.
- Ensure compliance with company policies, procurement procedures, and relevant regulations.
- Generate reports on purchasing activity, cost trends, and supplier performance for management.
Required Qualifications - Required qualifications to effectively perform the job. An equivalent combination of education, training and experience will be considered. (Additional requirements may be designated by position.)
- Associates degree in Business, Logistics, Supply Chain or a related field. A Bachelor's degree is preferred.
- 2-5 years of experience in a Buyer, Procurement, or Purchasing role.
- Experience with international sourcing, import/export documentation, or freight coordination.
- Experience in manufacturing, distribution, or a related industry.
- CPSM, CPIM, or other supply chain certifications are preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities - May be representative, but not all-inclusive, of those knowledge, skills and abilities commonly associated with this position.
- Familiarity with Procure-to-Pay (P2P) platforms like Coupa or Ariba.
- Knowledge of inventory management, forecasting, and lean principles.
- Strong proficiency with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, NetSuite, or similar) for PO processing, MRP, inventory management, and reporting.
- Solid understanding of procurement best practices, supplier negotiation, and supply chain principles.
- Strong negotiating skills.
- Excellent analytical, organizational, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, and advanced proficiency using Excel.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication, verbal and written, for vendor and cross-functional collaboration
- Ability to effectively organize and prioritize work as well as concentrate on multiple tasks simultaneously.
- Ability to develop and maintain business relationships through positive relations and solutions focused mindset.
Work Environment - Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job.
- General office conditions. Exposed to moderate noise levels. Schedule is typical 40- hour work week during business hours. Little overnight travel required.
- Outside of office area is general Manufacturing environment including regular exposure to loud and distracting noises, outdoor climate and weather fluctuations including, temperature, humidity, rain, etc., dust, uneven ground, exposure to hazardous equipment, and contaminants.
Physical Abilities - Activities that are commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job. The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
- Required to use close vision and be able to focus.
- Regularly required to talk and hear audible signals and warnings from computers, machines, mobile equipment, and plant warning systems.
- Must be able to have repetitive wrist, hand and/or finger movement, dexterity, and hand-eye coordination to type on computers, telephones, office equipment regularly.
- Ability to sit, stand or walk frequently and for prolonged periods of time (up to 10 hours per shift). Ability to bend, kneel, reach overhead, climb stairs occasionally.
- Ability to wear all personal protective equipment as required in all areas outside the office area, including safety boots with metatarsal guards and safety glasses. Hearing protection, gloves based on tasks, and other PPE may be required as posted.
- Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function.
Fairbanks Scales Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Disability/Vets
DISCLOSURE REGARDING BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION
Fairbanks Scales Inc. may obtain information about you from a third-party consumer reporting agency for employment purposes. Thus, you may be the subject of a "consumer report" and/or "investigative consumer report" which may include information about your character, general reputation, personal characteristics, and/or mode of living, and which can involve personal interviews with sources such as neighbors, friends, or associates, The reports may contain information regarding your credit history, criminal history, social security verification, motor vehicle records ("driving records"), verification of your education or employment history, or other background checks. Credit history will only be requested where such information is substantially related to the duties and responsibilities of the position for which you are applying.
NOTIFICATION OF PRE-EMPLOYMENT DRUG SCREENING
Fairbanks Scales Inc. performs post-offer, pre-employment drug testing for all roles prior to being hired into any role as part of our Drug Free Workplace Policy. In addition, Fairbanks Scales Inc. performs post-offer, pre-employment drug testing under the authority of the U.S. Department of Transportation prior to being hired for any role or transferred into a safety-sensitive role.