Senior Buyer - Supply Chain, Billerica, MA areaPosition SummaryThe Senior Buyer is a key member of the Supply Chain organization, responsible for ensuring uninterrupted material supply to support manufacturing operations and customer commitments.
This role combines strategic supplier management with tactical procurement in a fast-paced semiconductor capital equipment environment.
Key Responsibilities- Manage purchasing activities for assigned commodities and strategic suppliers, including POs, acknowledgments, expedites, cancellations, and delivery commitments.
- Monitor material shortages, supplier capacity, lead times, and supply risks to ensure production continuity.
- Maintain optimal inventory levels while reducing excess and obsolete inventory.
- Maintain accurate pricing, lead times, and planning parameters in the ERP system.
- Own supplier relationships and lead Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs), supplier scorecards, and corrective action plans.
- Evaluate supplier capacity, financial health, quality, and operational risks.
- Develop sourcing and supply-continuity strategies for critical materials.
- Partner with Commodity Management on cost reduction, dual sourcing, supplier development, RFQs, and supplier qualification.
- Support New Product Introduction (NPI), Engineering Change Orders (ECOs), and material transitions.
- Lead initiatives focused on cost savings, lead-time reduction, inventory optimization, supplier consolidation, and material flow improvements.
- Collaborate with Planning, Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and Operations to meet production and customer requirements.
- Analyze demand forecasts and supplier capacity to ensure future material availability.
- Conduct supplier visits and audits as needed.
- Mentor and provide guidance to Buyers and other Supply Chain team members.
Required Qualifications- 7-10+ years of purchasing, procurement, supply chain, or materials management experience in a manufacturing environment.
- Experience in semiconductor equipment, robotics, medical device, aerospace, industrial automation, or other high-technology manufacturing environments preferred.
- Strong knowledge of ERP/MRP systems; Epicor experience preferred.
- Experience procuring precision-machined components, sheet metal, electromechanical assemblies, motors/motion-control components, cable assemblies, vacuum-compatible components, electronics, and PCBAs.
- Proven experience managing strategic suppliers and resolving complex supply chain issues.
- Strong negotiation, supplier management, analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and the ability to analyze data and manage material-flow processes.
- Strong communication and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities independently.
- Experience with supplier improvement initiatives, cost reduction, and cross-functional projects.
- Ability to work effectively with global suppliers across multiple time zones.
Education: Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a related field preferred.Travel:- Approximately 20-25% domestic and international travel to supplier locations.
- Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check and drug screening.
- Salary range, $95k to $110k
