Buyer II (United States)

Cordis

$74K — $99K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 3+ years of relevant experience with a Bachelor's degree or equivalent; advanced degree may substitute for experience.
  • Experience in regulated industries like medical device or biotechnology is preferred.
  • Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) is advantageous.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office, especially Excel and Word.
  • Strong negotiation skills and ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.

Responsibilities

  • Review purchase requisitions and issue orders for production-related materials.
  • Analyze material requirements, forecasts, and production schedules for smart purchasing.
  • Communicate requirements and changes clearly with suppliers.
  • Monitor purchase orders to avoid supply chain disruptions and excess inventory.
  • Develop productive relationships with suppliers, addressing quality and delivery issues.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to work in a regulated industry, enhancing professional growth.
  • Mentorship role for junior buyers, fostering team development.
  • Engagement in continuous improvement initiatives within procurement processes.
  • Cross-functional collaboration enhancing diverse skill sets and teamwork.
  • Involvement in supplier evaluation and selection, influencing organizational success.
Full Job Description
Responsibilities

The Buyer II is responsible for purchasing components, raw materials, assemblies, equipment, and subcontracted services required to support medical device manufacturing. This position manages purchase orders, maintains appropriate inventory levels, monitors supplier performance, and works cross-functionally to ensure continuity of supply, product quality, and regulatory compliance.

The Buyer II also supports supplier development, cost-reduction initiatives, production planning, engineering changes, and continuous improvement activities in accordance with FDA requirements, ISO 13485, and the company's Quality Management System.

Key Responsibilities
  • Review purchase requisitions and issue purchase orders for production materials, components, packaging, equipment, and services.
  • Analyze MRP requirements, forecasts, inventory levels, lead times, and production schedules to determine purchasing priorities.
  • Communicate forecasts, delivery requirements, specifications, and purchase-order changes to suppliers.
  • Monitor open purchase orders and expedite or reschedule materials to prevent shortages, excess inventory, and production disruptions.
  • Evaluate supplier quotations and negotiate pricing, lead times, payment terms, minimum order quantities, and other commercial conditions.
  • Develop and maintain productive supplier relationships while addressing delivery, quality, cost, and responsiveness issues.
  • Track supplier performance using metrics such as on-time delivery, quality, cost variance, lead time, and corrective-action responsiveness.
  • Collaborate with Planning, Production, Engineering, Quality, Regulatory Affairs, Finance, Receiving, and Accounts Payable.
  • Support supplier selection, qualification, audits, performance reviews, corrective actions, and improvement initiatives.
  • Coordinate material requirements for new-product introductions, prototype builds, engineering changes, and product transfers.
  • Manage obsolete, excess, nonconforming, or returned materials in coordination with internal stakeholders and suppliers.
  • Maintain item, supplier, lead-time, safety-stock, pricing, and purchasing data in the ERP/MRP system.
  • Resolve discrepancies involving purchase orders, receipts, invoices, specifications, quantities, and pricing.
  • Analyze purchasing and supplier-spend data to identify opportunities for cost savings, supplier consolidation, and process improvement.
  • Maintain complete and accurate purchasing records to support traceability, internal reviews, and regulatory audits.
  • Create and update purchasing procedures, work instructions, reports, and other controlled documentation.
  • Ensure purchasing activities comply with applicable FDA requirements, ISO 13485, company policies, and the Quality Management System.
  • Mentor junior buyers or purchasing coordinators and provide guidance on procurement processes as needed.
  • Procurement execution: Accurately manages purchasing activities from requisition through delivery and invoice resolution.
  • Supplier management: Builds effective relationships while holding suppliers accountable for quality, cost, and delivery.
  • Regulatory awareness: Understands the importance of documentation, traceability, change control, and supplier controls.
  • Analytical judgment: Uses ERP data, forecasts, inventory reports, and supplier metrics to make sound purchasing decisions.
  • Negotiation: Secures commercially favorable terms without compromising quality or continuity of supply.
  • Cross-functional collaboration: Coordinates effectively with Quality, Engineering, Planning, Production, and Finance.
  • Attention to detail: Maintains accurate records and identifies potential material, scheduling, and compliance risks.
  • Continuous improvement: Identifies practical opportunities to reduce cost, improve delivery, and strengthen purchasing processes.


Qualifications

Required Qualifications

Requires a minimum 3+ years of relevant experience with a Bachelor's degree; or equivalent education and experience; Or an advanced degree with no previous professional experience.Where required, the role must hold an appropriate degree in the industry (eg. Legal)

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience in medical device, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, aerospace, or another regulated manufacturing industry a plus.
  • Experience using an ERP/MRP system, such as SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, or Microsoft Dynamics.
  • Working knowledge of purchasing, inventory control, production planning, supplier management, and material requirements planning.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Outlook, and Word.
  • Demonstrated ability to analyze quotations, negotiate with suppliers, and manage multiple priorities.
  • Strong written and verbal communication, organization, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.
  • Familiarity with ISO 13485, FDA Quality System requirements, 21 CFR Part 820, cGMP, and lot-control or traceability practices.
  • Experience purchasing electronic components, machined parts, molded components, packaging, capital equipment, or contract-manufacturing services.
  • Knowledge of supplier qualification, change control, nonconforming-material processes, corrective and preventive action, and audit support.
  • APICS/ASCM, CPSM, CPP, or another recognized supply-chain or purchasing certification.
  • Experience supporting new-product introductions, engineering change orders, and low-volume, high-complexity manufacturing.

Working Conditions

This position typically operates in an office and medical device manufacturing environment. The employee may occasionally enter production, warehouse, laboratory, or controlled areas and must follow applicable safety, gowning, and quality procedures. Occasional travel to supplier facilities may be required.

Pay / Compensation
The expected pre-tax pay rate for this position is $74,400 - $99,600 per year

Full time position

Actual pay may fluctuate outside of the range depending on skills, education, experience, job-related knowledge and location.

US work authorization is a precondition of employment. The company will not consider candidates who require sponsorship for a work-authorized visa.

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