Manufacturing Buyer

Job Description

Job Description

Manufacturing Buyer

Location : Cleveland, OH

Shift : 1st Shift

Salary : $60,000 – $75,000 (Plus bonus potential; dependent on experience)

Who We Are

As a Manufacturing Buyer, you will play a key role in sourcing, negotiating, and acquiring raw materials, machined components, and commercial hardware to support custom machinery engineering and metal fabrication projects. This position serves as a critical bridge between internal engineering design, vendor management, and shop-floor production. You will ensure an uninterrupted, cost-competitive supply chain for custom builds while upholding strict quality standards and project timelines.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct Materials Purchasing: Source and procure raw metals (mild steel, stainless steel, alloys) and commercial automated equipment components to support project-specific fabrication timelines.
• Blueprint & BOM Interpretation: Collaborate directly with mechanical engineers and metalworking specialists to review CAD blueprints, technical drawings, and Bills of Materials (BOMs) for purchasing requirements.
• Vendor & Cost Management: Negotiate competitive pricing, delivery schedules, and payment terms with suppliers; continuously evaluate vendor reliability, lead times, and financial stability.
• Shop-Floor Expediting: Track open purchase orders, proactively resolve shipping delays, and expedite critical components to ensure shop production stays on schedule.
• ERP & Inventory Control: Maintain real-time accuracy of purchasing data, vendor pricing, and material lead times utilizing our JobBOSS ERP system.
• Strategic Sourcing: Analyze vendor performance, identify alternative supply channels, and implement risk-mitigation strategies for long-lead-time components.
• Discrepancy Resolution: Reconcile purchase orders against receiving logs and vendor invoices to quickly resolve quantity or billing discrepancies.
• Logistics Coordination: Partner with freight and internal logistics teams to optimize inbound material handling and delivery.

Reporting Relationships

• Reports To: General Manager / Project Manager
• Direct Reports: None

Qualifications & Skills

• Experience: Proven experience as a buyer, purchaser, or procurement specialist in custom machinery manufacturing, metal fabrication, or a job-shop environment.
• Technical Aptitude: Ability to read and interpret basic engineering drawings, material lists, and Bills of Materials (BOMs).
• Systems Proficiency: Hands-on experience with ERP/MRP software (direct experience with JobBOSS is a strong plus).
• Negotiation & Sourcing: Strong negotiation skills with a track record of driving cost savings and building durable vendor relationships.
• Material Knowledge: Familiarity with industrial materials (raw steel, stainless, alloys, hardware, pneumatic/automated machine components).
• Execution: Thrives in a fast-paced custom job-shop setting with changing project scopes and tight lead times.