Buyer MRO

Buyer – MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Operations)

Role Overview

The Buyer – MRO is responsible for sourcing, procuring, and managing non-production materials and services that support efficient, cost-effective, and uninterrupted plant operations. This is a hands-on, execution-focused role critical to maintaining continuous operations through effective purchasing, supplier coordination, inventory planning, and cost control.

Procurement leadership defines purchasing processes, vendor onboarding standards, and system workflows. This position is responsible for executing day-to-day purchasing activities, managing vendor relationships, and responding to operational urgency in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, highly responsive, and comfortable operating in an industrial setting where purchasing decisions directly impact uptime and operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Source, negotiate, and manage relationships with MRO suppliers, vendors, and service providers to ensure quality, compliance, cost efficiency, and reliable delivery
• Execute day-to-day purchasing for maintenance, repair, and operations materials to support uninterrupted plant operations
• Maintain optimal MRO inventory levels by monitoring usage, issuing purchase orders, and tracking delivery schedules to prevent downtime
• Understand MRO terminology, lead times, and the operational impact of delayed materials
• Perform price and cost analysis, evaluate alternative sourcing options, implement volume pricing strategies, and recommend cost-saving initiatives
• Evaluate total cost of ownership (TCO), including unit cost, freight, fees, quality, and long-term supplier performance
• Monitor and expedite MRO items as needed to meet operational timelines
• Analyze historical usage and forecast consumable and spare part needs in coordination with maintenance schedules
• Resolve supplier disputes, delivery issues, and non-conformances promptly and effectively
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to clarify requirements and ensure accurate purchase requisitions
• Create or convert purchase requisitions into purchase orders, ensuring accuracy in specifications, pricing, quantities, and timing
• Utilize approved vendor and supplier lists to ensure compliance with internal policies and quality standards
• Maintain purchasing files and required documentation
• Conduct regular MRO inventory reviews and investigate discrepancies
• Partner closely with plant operations, maintenance, EHS, and other corporate functions
• Perform additional duties as assigned by procurement leadership

Qualifications

Experience / Knowledge

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in procurement, purchasing, or supply chain operations
• Experience in manufacturing, industrial, oil & gas, plastics, recycling, or similar environments strongly preferred
• Solid understanding of MRO purchasing fundamentals, vendor negotiation, and operational urgency
• Proven ability to manage supplier relationships and resolve order-related issues
• Experience evaluating cost, quality, lead times, and reliability when selecting vendors
• Familiarity with ERP systems (e.g., D365, SAP, or similar) and Microsoft Office
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple transactions in a fast-paced environment
• Analytical, problem-solving mindset with a focus on cost control and execution

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, or a related field
• or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Position Details

• Reports To: Director, Procurement
• Employment Type: Full-time, Exempt
• Work Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., with occasional evenings or weekends as operational needs require
• Supervisory Responsibilities: None
• Work Environment: Combination of office and industrial manufacturing environment; PPE required as applicable
• On-Site Expectations:
• Short-term flexibility may be available during onboarding
• Long-term success in this role requires consistent on-site presence to support operations, inventory planning, and supplier coordination
• Travel: Less than 10%

Physical Demands: Primarily office-based with occasional lifting and manual tasks.

Pay: $75,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person