What are the responsibilities and job description for the Purchasing co-op position at Fives?
Position Summary
Purchasing Co‑Op / Buyer Co‑Op
Department: Purchasing / Supply Chain
Accountability
This position supports the Purchasing team by assisting with procurement activities, data analysis, and supplier coordination to help meet production and sales requirements for Fives Cincinnati products. The role is designed to provide hands-on learning experience in purchasing, supply chain operations, and ERP systems under the guidance of experienced buyers.
Scope And Responsibilities
Essential duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
Purchasing Co‑Op / Buyer Co‑Op
Department: Purchasing / Supply Chain
Accountability
This position supports the Purchasing team by assisting with procurement activities, data analysis, and supplier coordination to help meet production and sales requirements for Fives Cincinnati products. The role is designed to provide hands-on learning experience in purchasing, supply chain operations, and ERP systems under the guidance of experienced buyers.
Scope And Responsibilities
Essential duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Support a safe and healthy work environment by following all company safety policies and procedures.
- Assist buyers in creating, updating, and maintaining purchase orders for assigned commodities or materials.
- Input, review, and help maintain purchasing and inventory records to ensure system accuracy.
- Support evaluation of material requirements and demand for assigned commodities.
- Assist with tracking lead times, stocking levels, and supplier delivery performance.
- Help prepare requests for quotation (RFQs) and collect supplier responses for buyer review.
- Assist in compiling and summarizing supplier performance data (delivery, quality, responsiveness).
- Participate in communication with suppliers and internal cross‑functional teams (Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality) under supervision.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives related to lead time reduction, cost awareness, quality, and process efficiency.
- Assist with supplier data analysis, including spend, usage trends, and sourcing opportunities.
- Help investigate potential new suppliers in coordination with Purchasing, Quality, and Engineering teams.
- Assist with resolving invoice discrepancies and basic supplier issues with guidance from senior buyers.
- Compile data and prepare reports, spreadsheets, and presentations as requested by the Purchasing team.
- Maintain regular and predictable attendance in accordance with the co‑op schedule.
- Work collaboratively with others and communicate effectively in a professional environment.
- Perform other duties as assigned to support learning objectives and departmental needs.
- Work is performed under close to moderate supervision.
- Assignments are structured and developmental in nature, focusing on learning purchasing processes, systems, and best practices.
- This role does not carry independent supplier negotiation authority.
- Currently enrolled in an Associate or Bachelor’s degree program in:
- Supply Chain Management
- Business
- Operations Management
- or a related field
- Must meet school co‑op or internship eligibility requirements.
- No prior purchasing experience required.
- Previous internship, co‑op, manufacturing, or office experience is a plus.