Senior Buyer

Job Title: Senior Buyer

Reports To: Purchasing Manager

Location: On-site at our office in Antigo, WI or Wausau, WI


Job Summary

The Senior Buyer is responsible for mentoring other buyers and facilitates the procurement of materials and services from domestic sources in accordance with policies and procedures. The Senior Buyer possesses a broad range of experience including supply chain management, contract review, price and term negotiations, volume contract bidding across multiple locations, and supplier onboarding and risk mitigation strategies.

Essential Duties

• Mentor senior buyers, buyers, and buyer/planners to support continuous improvement within the procurement team and strengthen organizational depth.
• Review and analyze Material Resource Planning (MRP) data, adjust planning parameters, process purchase orders, manage acknowledgments/follow-ups, and ensure inventory control.
• Maintain supplier contracts and promote optimal system setup to support efficient ordering practices.
• Capture and report cost savings through bid processes and negotiations, utilizing volume contract bidding tools where appropriate to ensure measurable savings are achieved.
• Lead new product development sourcing initiatives, obtain quotes, set up items in database in accordance with standardized naming conventions.
• Follow through with adding costs and supplier contracts and update planning parameters.
• Source products, research, develop, audit, review capacity of new suppliers, and obtain appropriate documentation, such as COI-certificates of insurance and indemnification requirements, based on supplier risk level.
• Resolve quality issues through root cause analysis, securing replacement goods or credits as necessary.
• Collaborate with management and internal/external stakeholders to review customer, planning, and scheduling requirements and ensure accurate product codes and general ledger account assignments.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Ability to communicate in both the written and spoken language of English to a level that will allow the safe and effective performance of the job.
• Ability to work from and understand verbal instructions.
• Ability to handle stress in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to successfully manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Ability to effectively work with resource planning system, spreadsheets, word processing documents, and other applicable computer systems and software, especially Microsoft Excel.
• Excellent interpersonal, listening, and negotiation skills.
• Strong critical thinking, troubleshooting, and analytical skills.
• Capacity to calculate, analyze, and track figures and make competent decisions based on those figures.
• Communication, teamwork, and customer service skills are critically important as the employee is expected to work directly and indirectly with all levels of employees, customers, and outside vendors.
• Consistently demonstrate a high level of responsibility and accountability in assigned tasks.

Education and Experience

• Knowledge of business principles and supply chain practices normally acquired by the completion of a Bachelor's degree in a business-related field and/or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in purchasing, domestic sourcing, supplier negotiations, and strategic procurement processes.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, and move around for extended periods of time.
• Capability to lift and carry objects of various weights up to 50 pounds occasionally.
• Proficiency in using hands, fingers, and arms for tasks such as typing and writing.
• Sufficient visual acuity to read documents and recognize details at close and distant ranges.
• Ability to hear and understand verbal communication.
• Flexibility to bend, stoop, and reach low or high objects.
• Ability to perform physically demanding tasks, such as lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying heavy objects.
• Adaptability to work in varying environmental conditions, such as temperature extremes, noise, dust, or fumes, depending on the nature of the job.
• Willingness to adhere to safety protocols and wear protective gear, including helmets, goggles, gloves, and safety shoes, as required by the job.

Company Culture & Values

• A Commitment to Our Purpose (COMMITTED PEOPLE) - Our mission is to serve and build up our customers, suppliers, communities, and each other, guided by the principles of our Lord Jesus Christ. The commitment to serving and building up is easily seen in those employees that exemplify this value.
• Without Our Customers We Are Nothing (CUSTOMER FIRST) - We realize that we are blessed to serve our customers and without them, our company does not exist. They rely on us for their success and that is a responsibility we cannot take lightly. Our focus must be on serving them with as seamless communication and access to products as possible.
• Kind, Humble and Positive (HUMBLE) - These positive traits do not mean being a doormat to others. But when a person is kind, humble and positive it comes through in their genuine caring for those around them.
• A Desire For "Expert" (EXPERTS) - Our people want to be seen as the experts in their specific roles. From how we convert a bag efficiently and with highest quality, to knowledge of the product portfolio, to desiring to know more about tax or human resource policy - the desire for "expert" drives us in each of our roles.
• Intentional Growth - Developing of Self and Others (PERSONAL GROWTH)- Times, tools, and customer expectations change. Our team members are interested in developing themselves and those around them. We know that a stronger team is one that makes our customers and our fellow employees happier.
• Strong Work Ethic (HARD WORKERS) - The commitment to serve those around us is honorable and we respond to this by putting our strongest effort into that purpose.
• High Expectations of Self and Others (HIGH EXPECTATIONS) - We expect ourselves, and those around us, to put in our best effort. When others struggle, we help them align towards perfection. When we struggle, we are open and humble to hear it and course-correct accordingly.
• If It Isn't Safe, We Don't Do It (SAFETY) - All people deserve to return home to their loved ones safely and work in an environment where they can best execute their tasks safely. When choosing between safety and profit, safety and efficiency, safety and feelings, safety, and "x" - we choose safety.

Travel Requirements

This position requires occasional overnight travel and occasional travel within the workday. Overnight travel is expected approximately once-twice per month. The duration of each trip will vary based on the travel location.


Driver Qualification

The ability to drive a company owned/leased vehicle or personal vehicle on behalf of the company is required. Inclusion in the company's driver qualification program is required to drive a company owned/leased vehicle or personal vehicle.


Becoming a qualified driver includes:

• Agree to the company driving policies that apply to company owned/leased vehicle or personal vehicle as applicable.
• Possess and maintain a valid driver license and be a minimum of 21 years of age.
• Maintain an acceptable driving record, as evidenced by completion of a baseline motor vehicle record check and ongoing monitoring.
• When driving a personal vehicle on behalf of the company, must provide a copy of the declaration page from personal auto insurance that shows the policy dates and minimum coverage amounts ($300,000 bodily injury per accident/$100,000 property damage per accident or if driving less than 5 hours/200 miles a year $50,000 bodily injury per accident/$10,000 property damage per accident or the state minimum, whichever is more). This requirement is initially and then annually thereafter.

This job description is intended as a general outline of the primary responsibilities of the position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, or activities that may be required. The employer reserves the right to modify, add, or remove any responsibilities, duties, or activities as deemed necessary with or without notice.


Volm Companies is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and other protected characteristics. If you require reasonable accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job, please inform us and we will work with you to address your needs.