Position Summary
The Buyer is responsible for managing the supply and material pipeline to support customer demand and manufacturing operations. This role combines purchasing, inventory planning, supplier management, and data analysis to ensure the timely availability of purchased materials and subcontracted components. The position works closely with suppliers, operations, sales, and customer teams to analyze demand trends, maintain material availability, identify supply risks, and support continuous improvement of supply chain performance.
The ideal candidate will have 2-3 years of experience in purchasing, supply chain, materials planning, or inventory management within a manufacturing environment, along with strong analytical and Excel skills. This individual should be comfortable working with data, identifying trends, solving supply challenges, and collaborating across multiple functions to support business objectives.
Key Responsibilities
Purchasing & Material Management
- Monitor and manage the supply pipeline for purchased materials and subcontracted components.
- Review purchase requirements and place, expedite, reschedule, or cancel purchase orders based on changing demand and inventory levels.
- Coordinate with suppliers to ensure timely delivery of materials while minimizing inventory risk.
- Identify and resolve material shortages, supply constraints, and delivery issues that could impact production or customer requirements.
- Manage open purchase orders and maintain accurate order status information.
Forecasting & Demand Analysis
- Analyze customer forecasts, EDI releases, and demand signals to identify significant changes, trends, and potential supply risks.
- Review forecast variances and communicate potential shortages, excess inventory, or capacity concerns to Sales, Operations, and Supply Chain leadership.
- Support customer forecast reviews and participate in discussions regarding future demand requirements.
- Collaborate with Operations to ensure production capabilities align with customer demand expectations.
Supplier Management
- Maintain effective working relationships with domestic and international suppliers.
- Monitor supplier on-time delivery performance and drive corrective actions when necessary.
- Support supplier communications related to forecasts, material requirements, delivery schedules, and performance expectations.
- Assist with cost management initiatives and supplier pricing discussions as needed.
Documentation & Logistics Coordination
- Review supplier invoices and validate pricing, quantities, and supporting documentation prior to processing.
- Coordinate cargo release activities and support international shipment planning, including weekly ocean consolidations.
- Ensure quality documentation, certifications, and supplier records are maintained and properly archived.
- Support import/export documentation requirements as applicable.
Data & Systems Management
- Maintain accurate item master data, lead times, supplier information, and purchasing parameters within the ERP system.
- Review inventory, purchasing, and supplier performance data to identify opportunities for improvement.
- Develop and maintain reports, metrics, and analysis tools using Excel and ERP system data.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on inventory optimization, service levels, and supply chain efficiency.
Qualifications
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, Engineering, Finance, or a related field; or equivalent work experience.
- 2-3 years of experience in purchasing, planning, supply chain, inventory management, or manufacturing operations.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, lookups, and data analysis.
- Experience working with ERP/MRP systems.
- Strong organizational, communication, and follow-up skills.
Preferred
- Experience in automotive or industrial manufacturing.
- Experience working with demand planning, forecasting, or EDI systems.
- Exposure to international sourcing, import logistics, or supplier management.
- APICS/ASCM certification or related supply chain training.
Competencies
- People skills – Treats others with courtesy and respect regardless of their status or position; keeps emotions under control; approaches others in a tactful manner; maintains confidentiality; effectively separates personal issues and problems from work responsibilities and activities.
- Oral Communication – Speaks clearly, confidently, and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions.
- Written Communication – Writes clearly, accurately, and informatively; presents numerical data accurately and effectively; can read and interpret written technical information.
- Teamwork – Contributes to building a positive team spirit, shares knowledge and experience.
- Diversity – Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; promotes a tolerant, respectful, and harassment-free environment.
- Ethics – Maintains confidentiality; works ethically and with integrity; upholds personal and organizational values.
- Organizational Support – Follows policies and procedures; completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; supports organization’s goals and values.
- Planning / Organizing – Uses time efficiently; strives to understand and satisfy priorities.
- Professionalism – Approaches others in a tactful manner; reacts well under pressure; treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accepts responsibility for own actions; follows through on commitments; continuously strives to increase knowledge and skills.
- Quality – Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; looks for ways to improve and promote quality; applies feedback to improve performance; monitors own work to ensure quality; is not satisfied with anything less than 100% conformance with all requirements.
- Quantity – Meets productivity standards; completes work in timely manner; strives to increase productivity; works quickly while maintaining quality of work.
- Safety and Security – Observes safety and security procedures, reports potentially unsafe conditions and security issues.
- Adaptability – Able to deal with frequent changes, delays, and/or unexpected events.
- Dependability – Follows instructions, responds to management direction; takes responsibility for own actions; commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with alternate plan; shows a willingness to perform any task required to meet the company’s goals and objectives, and its commitments to its customers.
Physical Demands
The physical demands of a forecasting specialist can vary depending on the position. Some positions may involve frequent bending, moving, lifting, and carry material weighing up to 15 pounds. The forecasting specialist frequently sits for extended periods of time.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee while performing the essential duties of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
