Sr. Buyer, Direct Materials

Job Description

Job Description

SUMMARY

We are a global manufacturer of engineered products and assemblies, supporting OEM customers through complex manufacturing, seeking a Senior Buyer to lead sourcing strategy, supplier management, and procurement operations for a portfolio of direct material commodities.

This position offers a blend of strategic sourcing and hands-on purchasing leadership, providing the opportunity to drive supplier performance, influence category strategy, support cost improvement initiatives, and mentor a growing procurement team.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for assigned commodities and supplier portfolios.
• Lead supplier selection, RFQs, negotiations, and sourcing decisions for new and existing products.
• Negotiate pricing, lead times, commercial terms, and supply agreements to support business objectives.
• Proactively assess future material requirements, supplier capacity, and supply chain risks to develop contingency plans, maintain supplier continuity, and ensure production needs are met without disruption.
• Own supplier performance management, including KPIs, scorecards, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Drive cost reduction, supplier consolidation, and supply continuity efforts across the supply base.
• Partner with Engineering, Planning, Production, and Quality teams to support new product launches, engineering changes, and material availability.
• Identify supply risks, market trends, and cost drivers while providing recommendations to leadership.
• Support day-to-day purchasing activities as needed, including order management, supplier follow-up, and issue resolution.
• Serve as an escalation point for complex supplier, sourcing, and procurement-related challenges.
• Mentor and support Buyers and Purchasing Specialists, providing guidance on supplier management, negotiations, and procurement best practices.
• Review sourcing recommendations and purchasing activities to ensure alignment with company objectives and procurement standards.
• Contribute to process improvement initiatives, training efforts, and long-term category management strategies.
• Act as a key procurement representative on cross-functional projects and business initiatives.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a related discipline; equivalent experience considered.
• 5+ years of procurement, purchasing, or supply chain experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience managing direct commodities (metals, electronics, electrical, plastics, and/or glass), supplier portfolios, or sourcing programs with ownership of supplier strategy and performance.
• Analytical mindset to proactively anticipate material requirements, supply risks, and capacity constraints, ensuring procurement activities stay ahead of production demand
• Proven success with supplier negotiations and competitive sourcing events.
• Experience mentoring, coaching, or providing guidance to procurement professionals.
• Ability to read technical documentation, drawings, specifications, and bills of materials.
• Strong ERP system experience; SAP experience is a plus.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.

\nCompany Description

DSJ Global is a revolutionary search firm, specializing in the bespoke delivery of executive search solutions to clients.
Working across a number of niche industries and sectors across the US, UK, and Europe.
With offices in New York, Charlotte, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco, London, Zurich, Berlin, Hong Kong and Singapore, DSJ Global operates on an international scale providing bespoke search packages which are unrivaled in the widespread recruitment market. Our aim is simple, to provide executive search level services which are flexible and tailored to the individual requirement of each client, on an unrivaled cost structure. We currently specialize in the areas of Procurement, Supply Chain, Logistics, OPEX, Finance and Human Resources.

We believe that every client should receive the benefit and accuracy of a search approach, whilst being able to dictate how, when and where it occurs, all on a fee structure to suit. Our revolutionary approach allows us to structure each assignment according to the requirements, time scales and budget available. We believe that for too long executive search firms have been too rigid in their approach and have been able to dictate how the search is conducted, leaving the client relatively powerless on the outcome.

Our service allows our clients to have increased control, direction and interaction in the search conducted on their behalf and has resulted in successful, on going relationships as search firm of choice with an ever expanding client group.

Company Description

DSJ Global is a revolutionary search firm, specializing in the bespoke delivery of executive search solutions to clients.\r\nWorking across a number of niche industries and sectors across the US, UK, and Europe.\r\nWith offices in New York, Charlotte, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco, London, Zurich, Berlin, Hong Kong and Singapore, DSJ Global operates on an international scale providing bespoke search packages which are unrivaled in the widespread recruitment market. Our aim is simple, to provide executive search level services which are flexible and tailored to the individual requirement of each client, on an unrivaled cost structure. We currently specialize in the areas of Procurement, Supply Chain, Logistics, OPEX, Finance and Human Resources.\r\n\r\nWe believe that every client should receive the benefit and accuracy of a search approach, whilst being able to dictate how, when and where it occurs, all on a fee structure to suit. Our revolutionary approach allows us to structure each assignment according to the requirements, time scales and budget available. We believe that for too long executive search firms have been too rigid in their approach and have been able to dictate how the search is conducted, leaving the client relatively powerless on the outcome.\r\n\r\nOur service allows our clients to have increased control, direction and interaction in the search conducted on their behalf and has resulted in successful, on going relationships as search firm of choice with an ever expanding client group.