Buyer

Norfolk, VA Description The Buyer reports to the Purchasing Manager and is responsible for managing supplier relationships, executing complex procurement activities, and driving strategic sourcing initiatives. This role progresses from independently managing assigned supplier accounts and moderately complex purchases (Level II) to leading high-value negotiations, developing category strategies, and mentoring junior buyers (Level III). The Buyer will work cross-functionally with Production, Operations, Finance, and leadership to align procurement with business goals. Procurement & Purchasing Manage assigned supplier accounts and execute purchase orders accurately and within approved budgets Analyze quotes, costs, and lead times to support sound purchasing decisions Process procurement requirements from requisition through PO issuance, including verification of specifications and pricing Assist with PO/invoice reconciliation; maintain and update delivery dates and PO values in Deltek Costpoint Provide regular purchase order status reports to supervisor, including packing slip numbers for closed orders (Level III) Lead complex sourcing initiatives, high-value supplier negotiations, and category strategy development (Level III) Oversee and streamline the quoting process to ensure timely and competitive vendor quotes Supplier Management Build and maintain productive supplier relationships; resolve delivery, quality, and pricing issues in a timely manner Monitor supplier performance and implement corrective actions as needed (Level III) Develop supplier scorecards and lead continuous improvement initiatives Strategic & Cross-Functional Identify and track cost-saving opportunities and process improvement initiatives (Level III) Monitor overhead budgets and capital expenditures (CapEx) to ensure procurement alignment with financial targets Collaborate with Production, Operations, Finance, and other internal teams to align procurement activities with project needs Work closely with the Estimating department to quote all materials and services for work the company bids (Level III) Develop and implement long-term procurement and category strategies (Level III) Conduct market analysis, trend forecasting, and global sourcing evaluation (Level III) Partner with Finance on inventory, billing, and compliance matters (Level III) Work with sister sites on cost savings initiatives and program rollouts (Level III) Implement or optimize procurement systems and tools to streamline operations Warehouse & Logistics Support Verify delivery of materials; inspect incoming shipments for accuracy, condition, and proper distribution Perform material staging, kitting, HAZMAT handling, and material distribution as needed Maintain shipping logs, purchase request logs, and related documentation Support cycle counts and inventory control activities Maintain an organized, clean warehouse environment Mentorship & Leadership (Level III) Mentor and provide guidance to Level I and Level II buyers Contribute to procurement policy development and best practice standards Serve as point of contact for critical vendor issues and urgent sourcing needs kSARIA is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabilities/Veterans Requirements Education & Experience • High school diploma, GED, or equivalent required; associate's or bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, or related field preferred • Level II: Minimum 2–5 years of procurement/buying experience • Level III: Minimum 5–8+ years of progressive procurement experience, including strategic sourcing • Must be eligible to work in the United States • Must be 18 years of age or older Technical Skills • Minimum 1–3 years of experience with Deltek Costpoint (required) • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, Outlook, and Word • (Level III) Experience with procurement systems implementation or optimization preferred Core Competencies • Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities with a high sense of urgency and ownership • Strong analytical skills; ability to evaluate quotes, costs, lead times, and supplier performance data • Excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to present information clearly to managers and cross-functional teams • Strong interpersonal skills with a professional, courteous approach in all vendor and internal interactions • Highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of multitasking in a fast-paced environment • Ability to comprehend complex problems and formulate practical, well-considered solutions • Proven ability to work in a warehouse/storeroom environment; occasional lifting of up to 50 lbs • Ability to operate basic hand tools and differentiate colors (required for fiber optic and copper cable identification/repair) PM19 Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. PI286002135 #J-18808-Ljbffr