What are the responsibilities and job description for the Buyer / Senior Buyer position at J&T?
Buyer / Senior Buyer
Location: Seymour, CT
Position Type: Full-Time
Department: Supply Chain / Purchasing
Position Overview
The Buyer / Senior Buyer collaborates closely with the Purchasing Team and external vendor network to ensure operational deadlines are met, cost-reduction targets are achieved, and high inventory accuracy is maintained. Working with cross-functional manufacturing and program teams, this role leverages ERP/MRP systems to maintain uninterrupted material flow in support of active production lines and client commitments.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
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Procurement & Supply Chain Execution:
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Purchase raw materials, components, and services to fulfill operational and production scheduling requirements.
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Collaborate with the Program Management team to oversee supply chain activities across multiple customer accounts.
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Manage MRO purchase orders, including the monitoring and replenishment of consigned material inventory.
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PO Management & Inventory Control:
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Monitor, expedite, and confirm open purchase orders with suppliers to eliminate material shortages.
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Maintain purchase order date integrity to balance stock levels and meet annual inventory turn KPI benchmarks.
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Proactively resolve emerging supplier or material issues to avoid disruptions to production schedules and customer Available-to-Promise (ATP) dates.
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Track and manage customer excess material levels against quoted targets, escalating potential variances to Program Management.
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Review and process non-conforming or non-receivable materials in conjunction with QA and warehouse teams.
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Cost Optimization & Vendor Negotiation:
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Maintain cost integrity by ensuring purchase prices stay within Sourcing estimates to safeguard program margins.
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Identify, lead, and execute cost-reduction initiatives and negotiate vendor pricing to achieve corporate margin goals.
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Negotiate and secure favorable payment terms and cash/purchase discounts across the supplier base.
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Cross-Functional Collaboration:
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Act as a central communication link for inventory availability and production schedules across Program Management, Purchasing, Stockroom, Manufacturing, Testing, QA, and Engineering.
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Execute special procurement projects and ad hoc operational tasks as needed.
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Qualifications & Requirements
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Experience: 3 to 5 years of related purchasing, procurement, or supply chain experience, preferably within a manufacturing or electronics environment (or an equivalent combination of education and experience).
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Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Engineering, or a related technical discipline is highly desirable.
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Systems Proficiency: Demonstrated hands-on experience utilizing MRP/ERP platforms (Infor experience preferred) along with proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook).
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Core Competencies: Strong negotiation acumen, self-directed prioritization skills, proactive problem-solving, and professional communication across internal stakeholders and external suppliers.