MRO Purchaser

Job Title: MRO Purchaser (Maintenance, Repair, and Operations Buyer)

Department: Supply Chain

Reports to: Supply Chain Director

Location: Hounen Solar America Inc., Summerville, South Carolina

Employment Type: Full-time

Job Summary Hounen Solar America Inc. is a leading U.S.-based manufacturer of high-efficiency photovoltaic solar modules, with state-of-the-art production facilities in South Carolina. As a key player in America's growing domestic solar industry, we produce reliable, high-performance modules for residential, commercial & industrial (C&I), and utility-scale applications.

We are seeking a dedicated MRO Purchaser to join our supply chain team. This role focuses on the procurement of Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) materials, supplies, equipment, and services (e.g., spare parts for production machinery, tools, consumables, lubricants, PPE, facility maintenance items, and third-party services). The position ensures uninterrupted facility and equipment operations, minimizes downtime in our high-volume manufacturing environment, controls costs, optimizes inventory for indirect items, and supports supply chain resilience in the fast-evolving U.S. solar market.

Key Responsibilities

1. Review and process purchase requisitions for MRO items and services; prepare requests for quotes (RFQs), evaluate supplier proposals based on quality, delivery, cost, and reliability; place purchase orders and manage the full procurement cycle from requisition to receipt and payment.
2. Source and procure a wide range of MRO categories critical to solar module manufacturing, including mechanical/electrical spare parts (e.g., bearings, motors, sensors, filters), tools, consumables (e.g., adhesives, cleaners, lubricants), safety/PPE items, facility supplies, and maintenance/repair services, while ensuring compliance with specifications and standards.
3. Monitor supplier performance, track deliveries, maintain shortage/delay reports, and proactively resolve issues (e.g., expediting urgent orders, managing returns, addressing quality concerns) to prevent production downtime and support reliable operations.
4. Plan and manage MRO inventory effectively: forecast usage based on historical consumption, maintenance schedules, equipment reliability data, and production plans; set and maintain optimal inventory parameters (min/max levels, reorder points, safety stock, economic order quantities); track inventory turnover and aging; identify slow-moving, excess, or obsolete items; and recommend action plans (e.g., disposal, consolidation, alternative sourcing, or consumption promotion) to minimize working capital while avoiding stockouts of critical spares.
5. Lead the development and implementation of structured MRO procurement processes, including standardization of requisition workflows, supplier catalog management, approval hierarchies, and best practices for indirect spend control, to improve efficiency, traceability, and compliance across the organization.
6. Ensure strong internal alignment by collaborating closely with Maintenance, Engineering, Quality Assurance, Warehouse, Production, Facilities, and other stakeholders to understand needs, prioritize critical spares/services, resolve discrepancies, and align MRO strategies with overall operational goals.
7. Prepare and present regular reports on MRO spend, supplier on-time delivery, cost savings, inventory levels and health, planned vs. actual usage, and potential risks; contribute MRO insights to cross-functional meetings, including maintenance planning and S&OP processes.
8. Support supplier development, cost reduction initiatives (e.g., consolidation, negotiations, blanket orders), and risk mitigation strategies (e.g., dual sourcing for critical spares) to align with Hounen Solar's goals of operational efficiency, high reliability, and cost-competitive domestic manufacturing.

Qualifications & Requirements Education: Associate's degree or higher in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.

Experience:

• Minimum 3 years of hands-on experience in MRO purchasing, indirect procurement, or buyer roles in a manufacturing environment;
• Experience in solar/PV, electronics, semiconductor, heavy manufacturing, or similar high-tech/high-volume industries is highly preferred (familiarity with manufacturing equipment spares, consumables, and maintenance needs is a strong advantage).

Technical Skills:

• Proficiency in ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, Epicor, or similar) for procurement, inventory management, and reporting;
• Solid understanding of purchasing processes, supplier management, and inventory planning/control for indirect/MRO items;
• Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, formulas, data analysis); experience with Power BI or similar reporting tools is a plus;
• Familiarity with e-procurement tools, catalog management, or vendor-managed inventory (VMI) programs is advantageous.

Soft Skills:

• High sense of urgency, strong problem-solving ability, and capability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-pressure manufacturing setting;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for cross-functional and cross-cultural collaboration;
• Detail-oriented, data-driven, and proactive with strong analytical and forecasting abilities;
• Ability to handle multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy to prevent operational disruptions.

Other Requirements:

• Willingness to work occasional overtime during peak maintenance periods, urgent repairs, or critical situations.