Buyer

Buyer - Terra Sonic International

Position Summary

The Buyer is responsible for sourcing, planning, and purchasing materials essential to Terra Sonic International's day-to-day operations. This role evaluates suppliers, negotiates pricing and terms, and ensures materials are delivered on time, at the required quality, and in alignment with production and inventory objectives. The position works cross-functionally with Sales, Production, Engineering, Inventory Control, and Suppliers to support demand forecasts, optimize inventory levels, and mitigate supply chain risk.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop supply plans for purchased components and raw materials supporting Sonic Drill Head production, sales orders, and demand forecasts.
• Review rig build schedules with Production and Procurement Management to align material deliveries.
• Support inventory accuracy through defined process controls, daily cycle counts, and year-end physical inventory activities.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to understand capacity, capability, and business changes that may impact supply to TSI.
• Develop and maintain accurate replenishment data within GSS, including sort codes, lead times, reorder points (RP), and order quantities (OQ).
• Review supplier cost increase or decrease requests and negotiate pricing to minimize cost impact.
• Support development of a competitive supply chain advantage through improved lead times and supplier performance benchmarking.
• Maintain purchasing master data, including cross-references, GL accounts, sort codes, supplier contact information, confirmations, and Min/Max settings.
• Support development and maintenance of a procurement risk register covering purchased components and indirect materials.
• Execute risk mitigation activities and respond to urgent supply issues, document findings and corrective actions.

Demand Planning

• Collaborate with Sales and Operations to develop and maintain Terra Sonic's demand forecast.
• Reconcile forecasts with production schedules and customer demand, update forecasts at least quarterly.

Supply Planning

• Adjust supply plans to support changes in demand forecasts and customer orders.
• Execute and manage blanket purchase order strategies and review supplier execution.
• Analyze sales and forecast data to develop and maintain an overall supply plan.
• Support development of improvement plans addressing quality, cost, and delivery performance.
• Monitor performance metrics and implement countermeasures as required.

Purchasing & ERP Execution

• Purchase direct components and raw materials supporting production, service, outside services, and R&D activities.
• Analyze bills of materials, inventory availability, and 2D drawings to ensure accurate purchasing decisions.
• Process internal purchase requisitions for indirect and miscellaneous items (e.g., McMaster, Fastenal, Superior Diesel).
• Purchase consumables required to support manufacturing operations.

• Create and issue work orders; manage and monitor purchase and work orders, including material issuance and WIP tracking.

• Manage outside processing with vendors, including coordinating requirements, scheduling shipments to and from vendors, tracking progress, and ensuring completion dates align with production needs.
• Maintain ERP purchasing data, including confirmations, due dates, and past-due follow-up to support production needs.
• Run daily and weekly purchasing reports for assigned sort codes, issue RFQs, and place orders as required.
• Track open orders and supplier deliveries; prepare weekly status reports.

Production Planning Support

• Support production scheduling activities for assigned products in coordination with Production Control.
• Lead or contribute to process improvement initiatives.
• Manage material shortages and supplier interruptions to prevent production stoppages, including on-site and off-site supplier engagement.

Risk Assessment & Mitigation

• Manage supplier performance and development by evaluating supply chain strengths and weaknesses.
• Develop and maintain procurement documentation, including cost analyses and supplier performance metrics.
• Support supply risk assessments related to:
  • Capacity constraints and supplier dependency
  • Sole-source or limited-capability suppliers
  • Domestic and offshore exposure (tariffs, Europe, Canada, etc.)
• Logistics and transportation risks
• Secure supplier commitments to meet production targets.
• Identify alternate components and suppliers in coordination with Engineering and Manufacturing.
• Develop purchasing strategies that maintain engagement with multiple qualified suppliers.
• Coordinate daily with Inventory Control to align procurement and inventory objectives.

Inventory Control

• Monitor and adjust inventory levels to support production and sales requirements.
• Support accurate inventory control through daily cycle counts and year-end physical inventory.
• Manage build-out, slow-moving, and obsolete inventory based on demand, lead times, and minimum order quantities.
• Coordinate with Shipping and Receiving to ensure timely inbound and outbound material flow.
• Verify received materials against purchase orders and due dates.

Supplier Relationship Management

• Maintain supplier data, agreements, and contracts in accordance with company procedures.
• Manage supplier performance and support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Build stable supplier relationships through effective communication and information sharing.

New Products / First-Time Builds / Revisions

• Support Production Control during new product introductions and first-time builds.
• Configure and maintain accurate bills of materials (BOMs) for new and revised parts.
• Review drawings, specifications, and revisions to ensure accurate ordering and documentation.
• Coordinate with Engineering and Quality to ensure system accuracy and revision control.

Requirements

• Associate's Degree or equivalent experience required; Bachelor's Degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, or related field preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in procurement, production planning, or manufacturing operations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook); ERP/MRP system experience required.