What are the responsibilities and job description for the Buyer position at The Ultra-met Company?
Company Overview: The Ultra-met Company is a leading independent manufacturer of tungsten carbide products for fabricators and tool makers that will be used in a wide range of industries such as the automotive, aerospace, medical, petroleum, and woodworking industries. Our products primarily consist of cutting tools and wear products. The manufacturing process involves making tungsten carbide powder, pressing, forming, sintering, and grinding operations. We are a locally owned, privately held, long-term growth-oriented company.
Summary: Ultra-met is seeking a detail-oriented and experienced Buyer to join our procurement team. This role is essential to supporting our manufacturing operations through strategic sourcing of external services and consumable materials. The successful candidate will play a key role in identifying qualified service providers, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring cost-effective procurement of materials that support our production goals.
Specific responsibilities include:
- Identifying, evaluating, and qualifying external service providers for specialized manufacturing processes such as grinding, coating, brazing, other value-add services
- Developing and maintaining relationships with service providers to ensure quality, delivery, and cost objectives are met
- Negotiating service agreements and managing ongoing performance metrics
- Coordinating with engineering and production teams to define service requirements and specifications
- Sourcing and procuring consumables and Maintenance Repair Overhaul (MRO)
- Monitoring inventory levels and establishing reorder values/points
- Evaluating supplier performance and identifying opportunities for cost savings and quality improvements
- Serving as a back-up for tasks such as raw material procurement and associated activities
- Assisting in maintaining and negotiating long-term agreements with key raw material vendors
- Supporting supply chain risk assessment and mitigation planning
- Conducting market research to identify new suppliers and emerging market trends
- Preparing and evaluating purchase orders, contracts, agreements, etc.
- Maintaining compliance and records for reporting and regulatory requirements
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams including engineering, quality, and production
The ideal candidate will have/be:
- A four-year degree in Business Management, Supply Chain, Engineering or equivalent
- Minimum of 3 years of purchasing or procurement experience in a manufacturing environment
- Strong analytical and negotiation skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication abilities
- Proficiency in ERP systems and Microsoft Office Suite
- Knowledge of procurement best practices and supplier management principles
- Understanding of manufacturing processes and quality requirements
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities simultaneously
- Strong attention to detail and problem-solving capabilities
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in metals processing or similar manufacturing industries
- Knowledge of specialized manufacturing processes (grinding, coating, brazing)
- Professional certification in purchasing or supply chain mgmt (APICS, CPSM, CSCP, etc.)
- Experience with supplier quality management systems
- Familiarity with regulatory requirements for industrial materials and PPE
Equal Employment Opportunity
The Ultra-Met Company is an equal opportunity employer. All persons shall have the opportunity to be considered for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, marital, veteran, or disability status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws