Job Title: Purchasing Director / Buyer
Location: Nashotah, WI
Company Overview
A U.S.-based manufacturing organization with multiple facilities in the Great Lakes region provides precision production, scalability, and rapid response capabilities. Serving industries such as transportation, energy, medical, and defense, the company offers strong engineering support, flexible capacity, and domestic manufacturing solutions to strengthen customer supply chains.
Position Summary
Reporting to the Purchasing Director, the Buyer is responsible for executing procurement activities, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring the timely delivery of materials to support production requirements. This role plays a critical part in maintaining efficient supply chain operations, resolving supplier issues, and supporting cross-functional communication across the organization.
Key Responsibilities
Procurement & Supplier Management
- Issue purchase orders and follow through to ensure the timely receipt of materials, including MRO items
- Communicate with suppliers to confirm delivery schedules and ensure commitments are met
- Coordinate material pickups and logistics with suppliers
- Manage required supplier documentation (invoices, TDS, MSDS, COA, packing lists, certifications)
- Issue change orders and communicate updates when delivery timelines shift
- Monitor supplier performance and escalate risks that may impact production
- Resolve quality, shipment, and delivery discrepancies with suppliers
- Negotiate and manage claims related to damages, shortages, returns, and engineering changes
Inventory & Planning Support
- Determine material requirements using MRP, production schedules, and forecast data
- Monitor raw material and packaging forecasts to align with production needs
- Maintain appropriate inventory levels while minimizing excess and carrying costs
- Support production planning by identifying and addressing material shortages
- Participate in production scheduling meetings to align supply with demand
- Develop and manage inventory programs such as Kanban, VMI, consignment, and lean initiatives
Systems, Reporting & Continuous Improvement
- Maintain accurate purchasing data and system records to support decision-making
- Review system reports daily for reschedules, cancellations, and required actions
- Track and update purchase order acknowledgments and follow up with suppliers as needed
- Analyze data and prepare reports related to purchasing trends, metrics, and performance
- Support PPV (Purchase Price Variance) reporting and provide analysis as needed
- Apply continuous improvement methodologies to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve service levels
- Assist with internal and external audits (e.g., IATF, ISO)
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with Production, Materials Management, and Accounting to support operational goals
- Assist with resolving price and quantity discrepancies in coordination with Accounting
- Contribute to sourcing strategies and supply chain initiatives
- Support physical inventory processes and cycle counts
- Communicate material availability risks and updates to key stakeholders
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, or related field preferred
- Minimum of 3 years of experience in purchasing, supply chain, or related functions
- APICS certification strongly preferred
- Experience in a manufacturing environment highly desirable
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook)
- Experience working with ERP/MRP systems
Core Competencies
- Strong organizational skills with close attention to detail
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Effective problem-solving and decision-making skills
- Strong communication and interpersonal abilities across all levels
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
- Analytical mindset with a focus on continuous improvement
Additional Requirements
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
- Dependable with strong attendance and follow-through
- Capable of interpreting data and managing variable scenarios with limited standardization
