Position Summary
The Senior Buyer plays a critical role in ensuring the timely and cost-effective procurement of raw materials, machined components, and indirect supplies to support manufacturing operations. This role leverages expertise in tactical buying, supplier relationship management, while utilizing Syteline ERP to manage purchasing activities, track supplier performance, and optimize inventory levels. The Senior Buyer also provides leadership and guidance to the purchasing team, ensuring alignment with production schedules, customer demand, and corporate objectives.
Key Responsibilities
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Manage the full procurement cycle for assigned commodities, including supplier selection, quoting, negotiations, and purchase order execution.
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Utilize Syteline ERP to:
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Create and release purchase orders.
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Maintain supplier pricing, lead times, and terms.
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Monitor material requirements planning recommendations.
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Track order status and resolve discrepancies between purchase orders and supplier confirmations.
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Action daily exception messages, including expedites, past due, etc.
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Recommend process improvements to benefit the business.
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Partner with production planning and operations to ensure purchased materials meet demand requirements and minimize shortages.
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Manage and improve day-to-day supplier relationships.
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Lead on-time delivery, PO accuracy, and lead time adherence initiatives.
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Be a key team member for NPD projects for tactical purchasing.
- Monitor global market trends, material pricing, and supply chain risks to proactively adjust procurement strategies.
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Drive compliance with company policies, ethical sourcing practices, and quality standards.
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Mentor and support junior buyers by sharing expertise in negotiation, sourcing strategies, and Syteline best practices.
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Collaborate cross-functionally with Engineering, Quality, and Finance on supplier qualification, cost analysis, and new product introduction (NPI).
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Generate purchasing reports and metrics from Syteline for leadership, highlighting savings, on-time delivery performance, and inventory alignment.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
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On-Time Delivery (OTD): Improve and then sustain supplier on-time delivery performance to 95%.
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Supplier Quality: Ensure supplier parts meet quality requirements
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Lead Time Adherence: Maintain average lead time
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PO Accuracy: Ensure 98% accuracy in purchase order entry within Syteline.
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Inventory Alignment: Reduce stockouts on purchased materials while minimizing excess inventory.
Qualifications
Education & Experience
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Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or related field (preferred).
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5+ years of progressive procurement experience in a manufacturing environment.
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Hands-on experience with Syteline ERP (Infor CloudSuite Industrial) (preferred).
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Proven track record of supplier negotiations, cost savings, and supplier development.
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Experience purchasing raw materials (e.g., metals, plastics, castings, forgings) and/or machined components strongly preferred.
Skills & Competencies
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Advanced knowledge of ERP/MRP-driven purchasing processes.
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Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
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Excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal abilities.
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Ability to manage competing priorities and meet strict deadlines in a fast-paced production environment.
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Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, cost analysis).
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Professional certification such as CPSM, CPIM, or CSCP is a plus.