Job Title: Sr. Buyer - Manufacturing
Location: Westford (Training in Medford)
Job Type: Full-Time
Department: Procurement / Supply Chain
Reports To: Supply Chain Manager

Summary:

We are seeking a proactive and experienced Sr. Buyer with a strong background in manufacturing to lead strategic procurement initiatives, including bulk-buy negotiations, technical purchasing, and inventory management. This role will also serve as a backup to senior leadership for escalated issues. The ideal candidate will have exceptional negotiation skills, technical acumen, and the ability to work cross-functionally with internal teams to ensure seamless procurement operations.

Key Responsibilities:

Bulk Buying and Strategic Procurement:

• Lead bulk-buy bid solicitations and negotiations, including developing raw data on demand needs, delivery timing, and other key factors.
• Collaborate with management (Supply Chain Manager) for final approval on high-value deals.
• Ensure competitive pricing and favorable terms for large-scale purchases to support cost savings and operational efficiency.

Technical Purchasing:

• Handle complex procurement for high-value, technically sophisticated products (e.g., fire pumps costing $50K–$100K).
• Collaborate with internal technical experts (e.g., DRD, Engineering, Branch Offices) to ensure compliance with detailed specifications for critical items.
• Negotiate terms and manage long lead times, tight specifications, and high-dollar orders to mitigate risks and secure optimal outcomes.

Routine Order Placement:

• Place orders with suppliers for routine stock items, including fire extinguishers, pipes, materials, and other inventory needs.
• Ensure timely placement of orders to maintain optimal stock levels and prevent production delays.

Inventory Management:

• Respond to inventory requests from warehouse teams and ensure stock availability aligns with production needs.
• Monitor inventory levels, analyze historical trends, and adjust purchasing strategies to avoid overstock or shortages.

Supplier Relations and Management:

• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to ensure reliable and cost-effective procurement.
• Negotiate pricing, terms, freight, and delivery schedules, particularly for bulk purchases.
• Manage supplier performance, including resolving escalated issues and fostering continuous improvement.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Work closely with internal teams (e.g., DRD, Engineering, Projects) to align purchasing decisions with organizational goals.
• Serve as a backup to senior management for escalated issues from General Managers and other departments.

Data Analysis and Reporting:

• Analyze purchasing data to identify trends and support data-driven decision-making for supplier negotiations.
• Prepare and maintain reports on purchasing activities, cost savings, and supplier performance.

Process Management:

• Ensure all purchasing activities are well-documented and compliant with company policies.
• Utilize Salesforce and other tools to track orders, manage supplier data, and create actionable reports.

Qualifications:

• Experience:

  • 7-10 years of procurement experience in manufacturing or a related field, with expertise in bulk buying, supplier negotiations, and technical purchasing.
  • Proven track record in handling high-value, complex purchases and managing supplier relationships.

• Skills:

  • Strong negotiation and strategic sourcing skills with a focus on cost savings and operational efficiency.
  • High technical aptitude to manage procurement for specialized, high-dollar products.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for cross-functional collaboration.
  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel; experience with Salesforce or similar CRM/ERP systems.

• Education:

  • Associate’s degree in business or a related field (Bachelor’s degree preferred).

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunities to lead critical procurement initiatives and make a significant organizational impact.
• A collaborative work environment with a focus on innovation and continuous improvement.