Buyer - Purchasing & Sales Operations

Summary

The Buyer - Purchasing & Sales Operations executes the full lifecycle of both purchasing and customer order operations for the organization. This role is accountable for independently sourcing and procuring materials and services essential to business continuity, while simultaneously managing customer orders from initial receipt through final shipment. The Specialist exercises independent judgment and discretion in supplier selection, pricing negotiations, and order prioritization, serving as the authoritative point of contact across suppliers, customers, production, sales, accounting, and internal stakeholders to drive on-time procurement, accurate order fulfillment, and exceptional customer outcomes.

Operating with a high degree of autonomy, the Buyer leads strategic supplier relationships to secure competitive pricing, enforce delivery commitments, and drive continuous supplier performance improvement. On the customer-facing side, this role owns the end-to-end order management experience, proactively managing production coordination, resolving escalations, and delivering the level of responsiveness that builds long-term customer loyalty.

Requirements

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
• Own all purchasing activities, including independently evaluating purchase requisitions, soliciting and analyzing supplier quotations, making award decisions on pricing and supplier performance, and issuing purchase orders in accordance with company authorization thresholds and procedures.
• Proactively monitor and manage supplier order status and delivery schedules; independently assess and escalate supply chain risks, and make decisions on corrective actions to protect production continuity and customer commitments.
• Lead and own strategic supplier relationships; hold suppliers accountable to quality, cost, and delivery targets, and drive measurable improvements in supplier performance, purchasing efficiency, and total cost of ownership.
• Take full ownership of customer order entry and accuracy within the ERP system; issue timely order acknowledgments and proactively communicate any changes in lead time, pricing, or availability.
• Drive production scheduling in close coordination with manufacturing personnel; generate and manage production orders, monitor progress milestones, and make independent prioritization decisions to ensure on-time delivery performance.
• Serve as the primary and accountable point of contact for customers on all order-related matters, including status updates, shipment schedules, and inquiries; own resolution of issues to ensure a consistently high-quality customer experience.
• Partner with the sales team as a trusted operational expert; take ownership of customer requests and order-related escalations, applying sound judgment to deliver solutions that protect both customer satisfaction and company interests.
• Maintain integrity and accuracy of purchasing, customer, and order data across company systems; independently identify and resolve discrepancies related to purchase orders, invoices, and customer orders with minimal supervision.
• Lead cross-functional alignment across Production, Sales, Finance, and Customer Service; exercise independent judgment to balance competing priorities and ensure operational efficiency and customer requirements are consistently met.
• Continuously evaluate and own process improvement initiatives within purchasing and order management workflows; design and implement solutions that reduce cycle times, eliminate waste, and elevate the stakeholder experience.
• Ensure full compliance with company policies, procedures, and quality standards; take ownership of adherence within areas of direct responsibility and escalate systemic issues with recommended solutions.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

REQUIRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS:
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong analytical skills with exceptional attention to detail
• Ability to apply mathematical concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions in practical business situations
• Experience working with ERP systems, including purchasing and sales order processing modules
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Excel, Word, and Teams
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment
• Demonstrated problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment and discretion on matters of operational significance, including supplier selection, award decisions, and customer issue resolution
• Commitment to providing excellent internal and external customer service

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE:
• Minimum of 3-5 years of progressively responsible experience in purchasing, procurement, buying, sales order processing, or related operational roles; equivalent combination of education and experience considered
• Experience utilizing ERP systems for both purchasing and sales order management
• Strong computer skills and proficiency with standard business software applications.

DESIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:
• Understanding of engineered part drawings and technical specifications
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes, including machining, metal fabrication, electronics manufacturing, and injection molding
• Experience working in a manufacturing or industrial environment
• Familiarity with supply chain management and inventory control practices
• Experience supporting both purchasing and customer order management functions

This job description shows the general scope of responsibilities for the position. Additional responsibilities can be added or deleted on an on-going basis. A job description does not constitute an employment contract.

BASE PAY RANGE:
$80,168 - $92,000 DOS/E

This position is eligible for experience specific compensation ranges based on candidate experience; compensation will be aligned and determined based on these criteria. Fluctuations in the job market may necessitate adjustments to pay ranges. Final pay determinations will depend on various factors, including, but not limited to experience levels, knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Benefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental & Vision)
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Retirement Plan (401(k) with Company Match)
• Life Insurance and AD&D Insurance
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Mental Health Support
• Family and Medical Leave Support
• Supplemental Health Benefits, including Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital Care Insurance
• Wellness Resources, including Garner Health, Health Advocate, Hinge Health, Tria Health and HUSK Marketplace
• Commuter Benefits
• Legal Insurance, Identity Theft Protection and Pet Insurance
• Employee Discounts and Purchase Programs