Buyer

Buyer Position

SMTC Corporation was founded in 1985. SMTC is a mid-size provider of end-to-end electronics manufacturing services (EMS) including PCBA production, systems integration and comprehensive testing services, enclosure fabrication, as well as product design, sustaining engineering and supply chain management services. SMTC has facilities in the United States, Mexico, China and Canada. Services extend over the entire electronic product life cycle from the development and introduction of new products through to the growth, maturity and end-of-life phases.

Summary:

The Buyer is responsible for managing the procurement and supply of assigned commodities and supplier relationships to ensure material availability, inventory optimization, and on-time delivery in support of production schedules and customer commitments. This role executes purchasing activities, manages material requirements, monitors supplier performance, and collaborates with cross-functional teams to support an efficient and responsive supply chain while achieving organizational cost, quality, and delivery objectives.

Working closely with Planning, Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Receiving, and Finance, the Buyer proactively manages procurement activities throughout the product lifecycle by supporting supplier performance, maintaining ERP/MRP data integrity, mitigating supply risks, and driving continuous improvement within a high-reliability electronics manufacturing environment.

Essential Functions:

• Manage assigned commodities and supplier relationships to ensure material availability in support of production schedules and customer commitments.
• Create, maintain, and manage purchase orders while monitoring supplier commitments, delivery performance, and order status.
• Execute Material Requirements Planning (MRP) actions, including purchase order releases, pull-ins, push-outs, cancellations, and reschedules to align material supply with production demand.
• Monitor supplier performance and proactively resolve shortages, late deliveries, pricing discrepancies, logistics issues, and material availability concerns.
• Maintain accurate purchasing, supplier, and material planning data within ERP/MRP systems to support planning accuracy and customer delivery commitments.
• Collaborate with Planning, Engineering, Manufacturing, Receiving, Quality, and Finance to resolve supplier, inventory, pricing, and material-related issues.
• Support supplier quotation (RFQ) activities, cost analysis, and sourcing initiatives to achieve competitive pricing and lowest total cost of ownership.
• Assist in the disposition of excess, obsolete, nonconforming, and supplier-return material while supporting inventory recovery efforts.
• Monitor inventory performance and recommend actions to optimize inventory levels while minimizing excess inventory and material shortages.
• Support supplier qualification, supplier performance improvement, and supply chain optimization initiatives in partnership with Supply Chain leadership and Engineering.
• Work on compliance with company purchasing procedures, customer requirements, contractual obligations, and applicable regulatory standards.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives focused on procurement performance, supplier reliability, inventory optimization, and operational efficiency.

Competencies:

• Procurement & Purchasing: Ability to execute purchasing activities that ensure material availability while meeting cost, quality, and delivery objectives.
• Supply Chain Management: Ability to support supply chain operations by coordinating procurement activities, supplier performance, and material flow.
• Material Requirements Planning (MRP): Ability to analyze material requirements, execute MRP actions, and maintain supply continuity to support production schedules.
• Supplier Relationship Management: Ability to build and maintain effective supplier relationships while supporting supplier performance and issue resolution.
• Inventory Management: Ability to monitor inventory performance and support inventory optimization while minimizing shortages and excess inventory.
• Cost Analysis: Ability to evaluate supplier pricing and quotations, to support cost-effective purchasing decisions.
• Negotiation: Ability to negotiate pricing, delivery schedules, and supplier commitments that support business objectives.
• Business Reporting & Data Analysis: Ability to analyze purchasing data, supplier performance metrics, and operational reports to support informed decision-making.
• Problem Solving: Ability to identify supply chain issues, evaluate risks, and implement effective solutions that minimize operational impact.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Ability to work effectively with Planning, Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Receiving, Finance, and suppliers to achieve supply chain objectives.
• Continuous Improvement: Ability to identify opportunities that improve procurement processes, supplier performance, inventory management, and operational efficiency.
• Technical Proficiency: Proficiency using ERP/MRP systems, Microsoft Office applications, and supply chain business systems.

Qualifications:

• Education:
  • Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, Logistics, Industrial Engineering, or a related field preferred.
  • Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.
• Certifications:
  • ASCM Certified in Planning and Inventory Management (CPIM), preferred
  • ASCM Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), preferred
  • Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, preferred
• Experience:
  • Minimum of three (2) years of purchasing, procurement, supply chain, or materials management experience within a manufacturing environment.
  • Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) experience preferred.
  • Experience utilizing ERP/MRP systems to support purchasing and material planning activities.
  • Experience managing supplier relationships, purchase orders, and inventory replenishment.
  • Working knowledge of inventory management principles, supplier performance metrics, and procurement processes.
  • Strong analytical, negotiation, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
  • Proficient with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stand and/or walk for extended periods during the work shift.
• Ability to sit for extended periods while performing computer-based work.
• Ability to use a computer, keyboard, mouse, telephone, and other office equipment for prolonged periods.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and through electronic communication methods.
• Ability to occasionally stand, walk, bend, reach, and lift office materials up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to visually review documents, reports, spreadsheets, and computer displays with or without corrective lenses.
• Ability to move throughout office and production areas as business needs require.
• Ability to wear and properly utilize required personal protective equipment (PPE) and ESD protection devices.

Mental Requirements:

• The employee is required to exercise sound judgment, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills in a professional business environment.
• The role requires the ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities, manage competing deadlines, interpret and analyze information, and make decisions consistent with organizational objectives.
• Employees must effectively communicate with internal and external stakeholders, maintain confidentiality where appropriate, and adapt to changing business needs.
• The position requires sustained concentration, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently while maintaining productivity and accuracy.

Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a combination of professional office, electronics manufacturing, remote, and travel-based environments.
• Responsibilities may require regular interaction with production areas, exposing employees to moderate noise levels, fluctuating temperatures, production equipment, soldering operations, automated machinery, and general manufacturing activity.
• Duties may involve extended periods of sitting, standing, walking, bending, computer-based work, and occasional lifting or movement of materials consistent with job responsibilities. Employees entering production or controlled areas are required to follow all environmental, safety, ESD, quality, and equipment-handling procedures, including the use of SMTC-provided ESD-safe items where applicable.
• The role also requires travel between company locations, customer sites, or other business-related destinations as needed, as well as the ability to maintain a safe and secure remote workspace with reliable internet access when working remotely.
• Employees must remain attentive and compliant with all operational, safety, quality, confidentiality, and company policy requirements across all work environments.

Travel: 0-10% of the time based on business needs.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

SMTC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis