Buyer

Brief Description

Job Description: Buyer

Company: Malco Group

Department: Purchasing

Reports To: Purchasing Supervisor

Location: Annandale, MN

Position Overview

The Malco Group is seeking a Buyer who is responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and procuring materials, components, and services required for uninterrupted production. This role manages supplier relationships, optimizes cost and inventory, ensures quality and on-time delivery, and partners with operations, engineering, and quality to support production goals and continuous improvement.

Essential Duties

• Issue and manage Purchase Orders through our ERP system, including release schedules, lead-time management and expediting to meet production plans.
• Maintain inventory levels by collaborating with Planning on reorder points, safety stock and inventory optimization.
• Monitor and evaluate supplier performance on quality, delivery, cost and responsiveness.
• Address supply chain delays, monitor forecasts/trends, evaluate suppliers (price, quality, availability, reliability), and resolve 3-way match invoice discrepancies.
• Collaborate with Quality Assurance, Engineering, and suppliers on material issues and non-conforming products (via Material Review Board), facilitating meetings and managing rework/returns.
• Coordinate with Cross-functional teams (Accounting, Receiving, Engineering, QA, Tool and Die, Returns, Customer Service, Shipping, Operations)
• Participate in weekly department meetings to resolve discrepancies and ensure smooth operations.
• Maintain accurate price lists, purchase orders, and revisions (via DCFs and ECRs), preparing reports on past-due orders, back-orders, and supplier delivery plans to meet performance goals.
• Manage procurement activities with domestic and international suppliers, including coordinating imports, monitoring global lead times, addressing customs and logistics requirements, mitigating supply chain risks, and ensuring on-time delivery of goods to support production needs.
  
  

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or Associates degree or 3 years of highly relevant experience.
• Minimum of 3 years’ purchasing and planning experience in a manufacturing environment; relevant production experience is a plus.
• Knowledge of ERP systems (Oracle recommended) for planning, purchase order processing, and sales order conversion.
• Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office for communication, planning, and task management.
  
  

Preferred Attributes

• Detail-oriented, organized, and capable of managing multiple projects.
• Self-motivated and collaborative team player.
• Strong problem-solving skills with basic root cause analysis capability.
• Intermediate communication skills (written, verbal, phone, in-person) for effective collaboration with teams and supplier relationships.
• Operational awareness of production rates and part usage, with ability to multitask and adapt to shifting priorities.
• Experience managing relationships and procurement activities with international suppliers is beneficial but not required.
• Certification in CPIM, CPSM, or CPM (e.g., through ASCM or ISM) or a 4-year college degree is beneficial but not required.
  
  

Benefits And Perks

The Malco Group recognizes the importance of offering comprehensive benefits and perks to its employees, including:

• 401k with company matching.
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Company paid life insurance and paid short-term disability.
• Paid time off