Buyer

Location: Marquette, MI Reports To: Supply Chain Manager

Position Summary The Buyer is responsible for purchasing raw materials, components, consumables, and indirect/MRO materials required to support manufacturing operations while maintaining appropriate inventory levels and ensuring supplier on-time delivery. This position converts material requirements and purchase requisitions into purchase orders, manages supplier communications, monitors inventory levels, and works cross-functionally to support production schedules and customer commitments. Operating in an FDA-regulated and ISO 13485-certified environment, the Buyer balances customer service, inventory investment, and supply continuity while maintaining accurate ERP system data and supporting continuous improvement initiatives across the supply chain.

Key Responsibilities

Purchasing & Procurement

• Review and process purchase requisitions for raw materials, components, services, and indirect/MRO purchases.
• Create, release, and manage purchase orders for assigned commodities and suppliers.
• Obtain quotations and evaluate suppliers based on quality, cost, delivery, and service requirements.
• Monitor open purchase orders and take appropriate action on late deliveries, expedites, de-expedites, and order changes.
• Resolve supplier-related issues involving delivery, pricing, order discrepancies, and invoice concerns.
• Maintain accurate purchasing records, supplier information, pricing, and lead-time data within ERP systems.

Inventory & Material Management

• Monitor inventory levels and material requirements to support uninterrupted production.
• Review MRP recommendations and execute purchasing actions to support manufacturing demand.
• Assist in managing safety stock levels and replenishment planning.
• Proactively identify potential material shortages and communicate risks to stakeholders.
• Support inventory accuracy initiatives, cycle counts, and excess and obsolete inventory reduction efforts.

Supplier Management

• Build and maintain positive supplier relationships.
• Communicate regularly with suppliers regarding delivery schedules, lead times, and order status.
• Support supplier performance improvement activities and corrective actions when required.
• Collaborate with Corporate Sourcing and Supply Chain leadership on sourcing initiatives and cost-reduction opportunities.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Program Management, Customer Service, and Finance to support operational objectives.
• Communicate material constraints, delivery impacts, and supply risks to internal stakeholders.
• Participate in planning and production meetings as required.
• Support project teams by providing current supplier and material status information.

Compliance & Continuous Improvement

• Ensure purchasing activities comply with company policies, quality requirements, FDA regulations, and ISO 13485 standards.
• Maintain accurate procurement documentation and records.
• Support quality audits and supplier documentation requests as required.
• Identify opportunities to improve purchasing processes, supplier performance, and procurement efficiency.
• Support Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.

Education & Experience Required

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations Management, Engineering, or related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• Minimum 2-3 years of purchasing, procurement, or supply chain experience in a manufacturing environment.

Preferred

• Experience in medical device, aerospace, life sciences, or other regulated manufacturing industries.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems such as SAP, Oracle, Epicor, QAD, or Microsoft Dynamics.
• APICS CPIM or CSCP certification, or progress toward certification.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to build and maintain productive supplier and internal stakeholder relationships.
• Working knowledge of purchasing and inventory management principles.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel.
• Experience using ERP/MRP systems; SAP experience preferred.
• Attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy.
• Ability to work effectively in a team-based manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles is preferred.
• Familiarity with FDA and ISO 13485 requirements is preferred.
• Ability and willingness to travel domestically up to 10% as business needs require.

Key Performance Indicators

• Supplier On-Time Delivery
• Purchase Order Past Due Performance
• Material Availability
• Inventory Accuracy
• Inventory Turns
• Purchase Price Variance
• Excess & Obsolete Inventory Reduction