MRO Purchasing Buyer

Direct Wire & Cable is hiring a MRO Purchasing Buyer to join our team!

About the Role

The MRO Purchasing Buyer is responsible for sourcing, procuring, and managing Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) supplies, spare parts, equipment, and related services in a manufacturing, industrial, or facilities environment. This role focuses on ensuring timely availability of critical items to minimize downtime, while optimizing costs through strong price negotiation, strategic vendor management, and effective planning of inventory and procurement activities. The ideal candidate brings proven experience in negotiating favorable terms, building and maintaining supplier relationships, and planning to balance stock levels with operational needs.

Responsibilities:

Procurement and Order Management:

• Review, process, and issue purchase requisitions and orders for MRO items (e.g., spare parts, tools, consumables, janitorial supplies, maintenance services, and indirect materials).
• Expedite orders as needed to prevent production or operational interruptions, while managing lead times and avoiding emergency surcharges.
• Track order status, deliveries, and receipts; resolve discrepancies with suppliers and internal stakeholders.

Price Negotiation:

• Negotiate pricing, terms, payment conditions, and contracts with suppliers to achieve cost savings and competitive advantages.
• Analyze quotes, market trends, and total cost of ownership to secure the best value without compromising quality or delivery.
• Identify and pursue cost-reduction opportunities through volume agreements, long-term contracts, or alternative sourcing.

Vendor Management:

• Identify, evaluate, qualify, and onboard new suppliers; maintain an approved vendor list for MRO categories.
• Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with suppliers to ensure reliability, priority service during emergencies, and continuous improvement.
• Monitor supplier performance (on-time delivery, quality, responsiveness, and cost competitiveness); conduct regular reviews, scorecards, and corrective actions as needed.

Planning and Inventory Optimization:

• Collaborate with maintenance, production, and engineering teams to forecast MRO demand and plan procurement activities.
• Manage inventory levels for stock and non-stock items, including setting min/max levels, implementing Kanban or vendor-managed inventory programs, and reducing excess/obsolete stock.
• Support MRP/ERP systems for planning, requisition processing, and inventory tracking to align supply with operational requirements.

Additional Duties:

• Resolve invoice and payment issues in coordination with accounts payable.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, procurement best practices, and regulatory requirements.
• Provide quotes, options, and recommendations in response to internal requests for MRO equipment or services.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives in procurement processes and cost control.
• Process Purchasing Requisitions, enter Purchase orders, review PO Acknowledgements, and help with other administrative tasks as needed.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Supply Chain Certification, or a related field (preferred); equivalent experience considered.
• 3–7+ years of experience in purchasing/procurement, with specific focus on MRO categories in a manufacturing, industrial, or maintenance-heavy environment.
• Proven track record in price negotiation (e.g., securing cost savings through contracts, spot buys, or supplier discussions).
• Demonstrated vendor management experience, including supplier evaluation, relationship building, and performance management.
• Hands-on planning experience in inventory management, demand forecasting, or MRP/ERP-driven procurement planning.

Required Skills:

• Strong negotiation and communication skills (verbal and written).
• Proficiency in ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Epicor, Oracle, or similar) and inventory management tools.
• Analytical mindset with ability to interpret data, market trends, and cost structures.
• Detail-oriented, organized, and able to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of procurement best practices, strategic sourcing, and supply chain principles.

Preferred Skills:

• Very strong Excel skills required.
• Certification in procurement/supply chain (e.g., CPSM, CPIM, CSCP).
• Familiarity with lean principles or cost-reduction programs.