Senior Buyer - Resins & Raw MaterialsDepartment: Supply Chain
Reports To: Supply Chain Manager
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Position SummaryTranscendia is seeking an experienced Senior Buyer to lead the procurement of plastic resins and other raw materials for our Grand Rapids manufacturing facility. This role has primary responsibility for leading all procurement activities for the Grand Rapids location, ensuring a reliable supply of materials while balancing cost, quality, inventory, and service.
The Senior Buyer will develop supplier relationships, monitor market conditions, manage inventory, coordinate bulk resin deliveries, and partner closely with Operations, Planning, Production, Sales, Finance, and Quality to support business objectives. The ideal candidate will have 5+ years of direct experience purchasing plastic resins in a manufacturing environment.
Key Responsibilities- Lead all procurement activities for the Grand Rapids manufacturing facility, serving as the primary point of contact for purchasing, supplier performance, and material availability.
- Lead the procurement of plastic resins and other raw materials required to support production.
- Monitor demand forecasts, inventory levels, supplier allocations, and customer requirements.
- Managing materials purchased under existing contracts or market pricing.
- Monitor resin market trends and identify supply risks and cost-saving opportunities.
- Issue purchase orders and ensure timely order confirmations and deliveries.
- Manage bulk resin logistics including railcars, silo replenishment, and delivery coordination.
- Analyze inventory performance to improve inventory turns and reduce waste.
- Partner with Operations, Planning, Sales, Quality, Engineering, Logistics, and Finance.
- Expedite critical materials and resolve supplier delivery issues.
- Review excess, obsolete, aging, and slow-moving inventory monthly.
- Develop purchasing strategies supporting Grand Rapids operational and financial objectives.
- Maintain purchasing data integrity within the ERP system.
- Support new product launches and supplier onboarding.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
QualificationsRequired- Bachelor's Degree in Purchasing, Supply Chain Management, Business, Logistics, Engineering, or related field.
- Minimum 5 years of direct experience purchasing plastic resins in a manufacturing environment.
- Progressive purchasing/supply chain experience.
- Experience managing resin suppliers, contracts, allocations, railcars, and silo deliveries.
- Strong understanding of MRP/ERP systems, forecasting, and inventory management.
- Strong analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel proficiency.
- Commitment to continuous improvement.
Preferred- Experience in plastics, flexible packaging, extrusion, converting, or lamination.
- APICS (CPIM/CSCP) or ISM (CPSM) certification.
- Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma experience.
