Senior Buyer

Senior Buyer – Job Description
Baker Manufacturing Company, LLC – Evansville, Wisconsin

Position Summary

The Senior Buyer leads procurement and supplier management activities supporting Baker Manufacturing’s Evansville operations. This role is responsible for sourcing strategy, supplier performance, inventory optimization, cost reduction, and continuity of supply for production and indirect materials.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on manufacturing procurement professional with strong ERP/MRP experience, supplier negotiation skills, and the ability to collaborate cross-functionally with Operations, Engineering, Planning, Quality, and Finance.

Essential Responsibilities

Procurement & Strategic Sourcing

• Procure production materials, castings, machined parts, fabricated assemblies, and indirect materials to support operations. 
• Develop sourcing strategies focused on quality, cost, delivery, and risk mitigation. 
• Lead supplier negotiations for pricing, contracts, lead times, and service agreements. 
• Identify cost reduction and value engineering opportunities. 
• Manage RFQs, supplier selection, and sourcing decisions. 

Supplier Management

• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to improve quality, delivery, and responsiveness. 
• Monitor supplier KPIs including on-time delivery, quality, lead times, and cost competitiveness. 
• Coordinate supplier corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives. 
• Conduct supplier visits and business reviews as needed. 

Planning & Inventory Support

• Partner with Planning and Operations to ensure material availability aligns with production schedules and customer demand. 
• Analyze inventory levels, lead times, safety stock, and forecasts to optimize working capital. 
• Support SIOP/S&OP initiatives and help manage shortages and supply disruptions. 

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work with Engineering on new product introductions, supplier qualifications, and design changes. 
• Partner with Quality and Finance on supplier performance, cost reviews, budgeting, and inventory accuracy. 
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives across the organization. 

ERP & Data Management

• Maintain accurate purchasing data, supplier records, pricing, and lead times within ERP systems. 
• Utilize ERP/MRP systems to manage purchase orders, planning signals, and inventory analysis. 
• Generate procurement and supplier performance reports and support ERP process improvements. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, Engineering, or related field preferred. 
• 5+ years of purchasing or procurement experience in a manufacturing environment required. 
• Experience sourcing castings, machined components, fabricated parts, pumps, or industrial commodities preferred. 
• Strong ERP/MRP experience required; Epicor experience strongly preferred. 
• Strong negotiation, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Office Suite. 
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills. 

Preferred Experience

• Foundry, pump, industrial manufacturing, or heavy equipment industry experience. 
• Lean manufacturing or continuous improvement exposure. 
• APICS/ASCM, CPM, or CPSM certification preferred. 
• Experience supporting domestic and international suppliers. 

Key Competencies

• Strategic sourcing 
• Supplier negotiation and development 
• Inventory management 
• ERP/MRP systems 
• Cost reduction 
• Production support 
• Data analysis 
• Continuous improvement 
• Cross-functional leadership 
• Accountability and sense of urgency 

Work Environment

• Manufacturing and industrial environment with regular interaction on production floors, warehouses, and supplier locations. 
• Occasional travel to suppliers and other Baker Manufacturing facilities may be required. 

Reporting Structure

Reports to: Supply Chain Director

Benefits

Baker Manufacturing offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including:

• 401(k) with company match 
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance 
• Paid time off and holidays 
• Life and disability insurance 
• Profit sharing opportunities 
• Career growth within a growing U.S.-based manufacturing organization. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, Engineering, or related field preferred. 
• 5+ years of purchasing or procurement experience in a manufacturing environment required. 
• Experience sourcing castings, machined components, fabricated parts, pumps, or industrial commodities preferred. 
• Strong ERP/MRP experience required; Epicor experience strongly preferred. 
• Strong negotiation, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Office Suite. 
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills. 

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