Buyer

Buyer - On-site Position (Contract Opportunity)


This role is responsible for managing the planning and procurement of outsourced materials and finished goods. The Buyer ensures products are sourced at competitive prices, inventory levels are maintained to support demand, and stock exposure is minimized. Success in this position requires strong collaboration with internal teams and external suppliers, along with a solid understanding of supplier capabilities and long?term business potential.


Key Responsibilities
Procurement and Planning
• Review demand plans, historical usage, and business forecasts to build a clear and actionable purchasing strategy for sourced products.
• Oversee daily communication related to shipment discrepancies, delivery delays, quantity changes, and pricing updates, ensuring all stakeholders are informed promptly.
• Negotiate purchase order pricing, payment terms, and rebate programs, and ensure all cost information is accurately reflected in SAP.
• Create and manage purchase orders for domestic and international suppliers, track delivery progress, and verify order accuracy.
• Maintain inventory levels that align with company targets, supporting service goals while reducing excess and obsolete stock.
• Work directly with suppliers to manage raw material orders, outside processing needs, and delivery schedules to maintain appropriate safety stock.
• Analyze purchasing trends, material usage, and forecast data to refine buying strategies and improve inventory performance.
• Stay current on industry practices by participating in workshops and reviewing relevant publications.
• Provide guidance to internal and external partners on purchasing policies, regulations, and procedures.
• Support new product initiatives by sourcing materials and identifying cost?saving opportunities.
• Lead ongoing supplier negotiations focused on cost reductions, rebates, and improved terms.
• Assist with purchasing MRO items and other procurement activities as needed.


Supplier Management
• Track supplier performance, ensuring on?time delivery and adherence to specifications, and update SAP with accurate delivery data.
• Coordinate supplier meetings, follow up on new projects, and maintain consistent communication to support ongoing initiatives.
• Prepare reports, KPIs, and supply chain metrics to support department goals and leadership visibility.
• Partner with quality teams to address supplier?related issues and drive corrective actions.
• Monitor raw material indices, benchmark supplier costs, negotiate annual rebates, and maintain supplier scorecards.
Systems and Process Improvement
• Ensure SAP data is accurate, including lead times, pricing, supplier details, and purchase order information.
• Identify opportunities to improve procurement processes and supplier management workflows.
• Monitor inventory parameters such as minimums, maximums, and safety stock, and recommend adjustments when needed.
• Develop strong working knowledge of SAP procurement functions with the goal of becoming a subject matter expert.


Cross?Functional Collaboration
• Work closely with warehousing and logistics teams to communicate inventory fluctuations and storage needs.
• Partner with Product Management to understand forecast changes and new product plans.
• Collaborate effectively across departments and levels of the organization.
• Coordinate with shipping and receiving teams to prepare for incoming deliveries and volume changes.
• Support team objectives by assisting with additional tasks as needed.
Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in Materials Management, Procurement, Business Administration, Operations Planning, or a related field.
• At least three years of experience in procurement, purchasing, inventory control, supplier management, and contract negotiation.
• Strong understanding of MRP processes.
• Proficiency with MRP or MPS systems, Excel, Word, and database applications.
• Valid driver's license, insurance, and necessary travel documentation.
• Demonstrated commitment to integrity, teamwork, accountability, and organizational excellence.

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco/Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual's skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, office location and other geographic considerations, as well as other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco/Highspring notes the salary range for the role is noted in this job posting. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's 401(k) retirement plan. Additional disclaimer: Unless otherwise noted in the job description, the position Vaco/Highspring is filing for is occupied. Please note, however, that Vaco/Highspring is regularly asked to provide talent to other organizations. By submitting to this position, you are agreeing to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. Submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase within Vaco/Highspring will be otherwise assessed by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco/Highspring does not have knowledge of the tools used by its clients in making final hiring decisions and cannot opine on their use of AI products.


Vaco by Highspring values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply.

EEO Notice


Vaco by Highspring is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by federal, state or local law.


Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io .


Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal .


By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. You also agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal.

Privacy Notice


Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries ("we," "our," or "Vaco by Highspring") respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies.

• California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here .
• Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here .
• Residents of all other states may access our policies here .
• Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here .
• Residents of countries governed by GDPR may access our policies here .

Pay Transparency Notice


Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to:

• the individual's skill sets, experience and training;
• licensure and certification requirements;
• office location and other geographic considerations;
• other business and organizational needs.

With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses.