Buyer

The Buyer is responsible for planning, purchasing, and coordinating materials required to support production operations. This position manages raw material, packaging, MRO, and indirect purchasing activities by leveraging MRP/ERP systems, collaborating with vendors and internal stakeholders, and ensuring materials are available to meet production schedules and customer demand. The Buyer plays a critical role in maintaining inventory availability, supporting new product launches, and driving procurement accuracy and efficiency.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Run, review, and analyze MRP reports to identify material requirements, shortages, timing needs, and purchasing actions.
• Place purchase orders with approved vendors in accordance with material requirements, lead times, pricing, and company purchasing procedures.
• Communicate with vendors daily to obtain order confirmations, track shipments, follow up on delivery status, and resolve supply concerns.
• Monitor inventory levels and ensure timely replenishment of raw materials, packaging, MRO supplies, office supplies, and other operational requirements.
• Partner with production and scheduling teams to ensure materials are available to support production plans and customer demand.
• Collaborate with warehouse and production teams regarding schedule changes, urgent material needs, last-minute deliveries, and receiving priorities.
• Maintain accurate purchasing, vendor, item, delivery, and order data in the ERP system to support reliable planning and reporting.
• Assist the Accounts Payable team by researching workflow issues, resolving invoice discrepancies, and supporting timely payment processing.
• Align with the commercialization team to support the implementation of new products, including material setup, supplier coordination, sample or trial requirements, and launch readiness.
• Monitor purchase order status, identify potential delays, and escalate risks that could affect production schedules or material availability.
• Prepare forecasts and utilize demand information to assist with purchasing and inventory planning.
• Support continuous improvement efforts related to procurement accuracy, vendor responsiveness, inventory availability, and cross-functional communication.
• Perform administrative duties and other responsibilities as assigned.

Note: This list presents only the principal duties of the position and is not intended to be comprehensive. Duties and responsibilities may be changed or supplemented at any time based on business needs.

Required Qualifications

• Experience managing purchase orders, supplier communications, and inventory replenishment activities.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work effectively with vendors and internal cross-functional teams.
• Ability to prioritize daily workload, manage multiple open purchase orders, and respond quickly to changing production needs.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy when reviewing reports, entering data, tracking deliveries, and resolving discrepancies.
• Basic understanding of inventory management, production scheduling, vendor lead times, and invoice matching processes.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and ERP/MRP business systems.

Key Competencies

• Vendor relationship management
• Problem solving and follow-through
• Production and material planning support
• ERP data accuracy
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Sense of urgency and adaptability
• Organization and time management
• Analytical thinking and decision making
• Attention to detail
• Effective written and verbal communication

Physical Demands

• Ability to sit for extended periods while working on a computer and reviewing reports.
• Ability to move throughout the facility on a regular basis to communicate with operations, warehouse, and production teams.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 pounds with or without assistance.
• Ability to bend, stand, walk, climb stairs, and perform other physical activities as required.
• Visual and hearing acuity sufficient to safely perform job responsibilities.

Note: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.