Expeditor / Buyer

Job Description

Job Description

Buyer

Position Summary

The Buyer is responsible for executing the day-to-day procurement activities required to support Ascend Automation & Controls' manufacturing and project operations. This role ensures the timely and cost-effective purchase of materials, equipment, and services needed for the production of electrical control panels, switchracks, skids, eHouses, power distribution systems, and industrial automation solutions.

Working under the direction of the Supply Chain Manager, the Buyer is responsible for issuing purchase orders, maintaining supplier communications, expediting critical materials, tracking deliveries, resolving shortages, and ensuring materials are available to support project schedules and manufacturing operations.

The successful candidate must be highly organized, detail-oriented, proactive, and capable of managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced project manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

Procurement and Purchasing

· Create and issue purchase orders based on approved material requisitions, bills of materials (BOMs), and project requirements.

· Procure electrical, automation, instrumentation, mechanical, and structural components from approved suppliers.

· Obtain quotations, evaluate pricing, and support supplier selection decisions.

· Maintain purchasing records, supplier documentation, and procurement files.

· Verify pricing, quantities, lead times, and delivery commitments before placing orders.

· Ensure all purchasing activities comply with company policies and approved procurement procedures.

Supplier Management and Expediting

· Maintain regular communication with suppliers regarding order status, shipment dates, and delivery commitments.

· Expedite critical materials to support project schedules and manufacturing priorities.

· Track open purchase orders and follow up on overdue deliveries.

· Identify potential supply delays early and escalate risks to the Supply Chain Manager.

· Assist in obtaining alternate sourcing solutions when shortages or long lead times occur.

· Support supplier performance monitoring related to delivery, responsiveness, and quality.

Material Tracking and Shortage Resolution

· Monitor purchase order status from issuance through receipt.

· Maintain accurate records of supplier acknowledgments and committed delivery dates.

· Track backorders, shortages, partial shipments, and supplier schedule changes.

· Coordinate with Engineering, Project Management, Manufacturing, and Warehouse personnel to communicate material status.

· Assist in developing recovery plans for critical material shortages.

· Provide regular updates on procurement activities and material availability.

Inventory and Warehouse Support

· Coordinate with receiving personnel to ensure materials are properly received and documented.

· Assist with resolving receiving discrepancies, damaged shipments, and supplier-related issues.

· Support inventory accuracy by ensuring proper purchase order and receiving documentation.

· Help identify opportunities to reduce excess inventory and improve material utilization.

· Coordinate material returns, supplier credits, and replacement orders when necessary.

Project and Production Support

· Support multiple concurrent projects by ensuring material procurement activities align with project schedules.

· Review project material requirements and identify long lead-time items.

· Participate in project kickoff and planning meetings as required.

· Work closely with Engineering to resolve specification questions and approved component substitutions.

· Coordinate procurement priorities with manufacturing schedules and production requirements.

Systems, Documentation, and Reporting

· Maintain accurate procurement data within ERP/MRP systems.

· Ensure purchase orders, acknowledgments, vendor quotations, and receiving records are properly documented.

· Generate reports related to open purchase orders, supplier commitments, shortages, and material status.

· Assist the Supply Chain Manager with procurement metrics and supplier performance reporting.

· Support audits, traceability requirements, and project documentation needs.

Qualifications

Required