What are the responsibilities and job description for the Buyer - Senior position at Weldfab Manufacturing, LLC.?
Buyer III – Purchasing & Procurement
About WeldFab Manufacturing: Located in Slinger, WI, WeldFab has been fabricating custom sheet metal in since 1990. Under new ownership since 2022, we're busy, growing, and ISO 9001:2015 certified - proud of the team we've built: skilled people who take their trade seriously. We move fast here, and we're looking for someone with the drive to match that pace.
The Opportunity: This is an opportunity to take full ownership of purchasing for a growing fabrication shop. As a senior buyer, you'll handle the day-to-day of the function directly. We need a go-getter who's diligent, detail-oriented, and genuinely enjoys solving problems, and who thrives in a fast-paced environment.
The Compensation Picture:
- 401(k) with company match
- Company-sponsored Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability; you pay no weekly premium for these
- Health insurance, dental insurance, FSA, and HSA
- Paid Time Off & Sick Time Off
What You'll Do:
- This role is responsible for the purchasing function — coordinate procurement of raw material stock (sheet, plate, tube), shop hardware, tooling, supplies, and outside processing services needed for production
- Confer with vendor representatives to negotiate price, availability, and delivery schedules for raw stock, tube, hardware, and outside services
- Estimate material and service costs using knowledge of current metals market pricing (steel, aluminum, stainless) and determine appropriate procurement method (direct purchase vs. competitive bid)
- Prepare bid specifications, solicit and evaluate bids, and execute purchases for high-financial-impact stock, equipment, and services
- Resolve issues involving defective, off-spec, or late material and outside service deliveries
- Partner with Plant Manager, Engineering, and Estimating to align material procurement with production schedules, blueprints, and customer specifications
- Monitor vendor and outside-processor performance; maintain and strengthen key supplier relationships
- Track and respond to raw material market fluctuations, identifying alternative sourcing or substitute stock where appropriate
- Build and improve purchasing processes as the sole owner of the function — you decide what "better" looks like and make it happen
- Ensure procurement activity supports ISO 9001:2015 compliance requirements
What We're Looking For:
- 5 years of professional purchasing/procurement experience, ideally in metal fabrication or manufacturing; or a combination of relevant experience and an Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, or a related field
- Demonstrated experience preparing bid specifications and negotiating with mills/vendors on raw material stock
- Working knowledge of steel/aluminum/stainless/tubing market pricing and grades
- Comfortable operating independently — self-directed, decisive, and unafraid to own outcomes without a team or backup to lean on
- Strong analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills
- Highly organized and detail-oriented, with ability to track multiple open orders and deadlines simultaneously
- Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced shop environment
- Effective written and verbal communication skills
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and ERP/purchasing software (Epicor preferred)
- Ability to read and interpret blueprints, work orders, and customer specifications
WeldFab Manufacturing is an equal opportunity employer.
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Ability to Commute:
- Slinger, WI 53086 (Required)
Work Location: In person