Buyer

Caljan Buyer II Menomonee Falls, WI

Under the direction of the Procurement and Logistics Manager, the Buyer II is responsible for procuring materials, supplies, and services at the most favorable terms to support an organization's operational and strategic needs. This role involves evaluating vendor proposals, negotiating pricing and contract terms, and ensuring timely delivery of goods and services.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Review and analyze purchase requisitions to ensure accuracy, completeness, and proper authorization before processing orders. Generate, process, and dispatch purchase orders in alignment with MRP outputs and approved requisitions.
• Secure and record vendor order confirmations; proactively expedite orders to meet production schedules and sales order delivery dates.
• Monitor material and component availability; initiate expedited actions to resolve shortages and prevent delays.
• Contributes to continuous improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities to streamline procurement processes and enhance efficiency. Identify and qualify suppliers based on engineering specifications and operational needs, especially in response to supply chain disruptions.
• Conduct market research to evaluate alternative sources and mitigate risks associated with part shortages.
• Analyzes market conditions and pricing trends to identify cost-saving opportunities and improve purchasing strategies.
• Lead RFQ processes, negotiating pricing, lead times, and delivery terms to optimize cost and performance.
• Build and sustain strategic relationships with both new and existing suppliers to ensure consistent quality, reliability, and value.
• Partner with internal stakeholders—including Production, Sales, Service, Warehouse, Planning, Engineering, and Project Management—to align procurement activities with business objectives.
• Communicate delivery updates and pricing changes to the Aftermarket team to support customer satisfaction and operational transparency.
• Maintain accurate part master data, including lead times, pricing structures, quantity discounts, and approved vendor lists.
• Document supplier non-conformances in the centralized system and support corrective action processes in accordance with departmental protocols.
• Assist in resolving invoice and receiving discrepancies to ensure financial and inventory accuracy.
• Facilitate returns and replacements for defective materials and components, ensuring timely resolution and minimal impact to operations.
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:

• Associate's degree required; advanced degree preferred; additional relevant education or certifications are a plus.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Additional certifications such as Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), or Certified Purchasing Professional (CPP) a plus.

Experience:

• At least 2 years of progressive experience in procurement, manufacturing, or aftermarket operations, with a strong track record of delivering results.
• Experience in international sourcing (1+ year) preferred; global exposure is highly valued.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to work in a high growth/continuous change environment
• Self-motivated and proactive, with a keen eye for detail and continuous improvement.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and drive sound purchasing decisions.
• Solid understanding of supply chain processes and best practices.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and blueprints with confidence.
• Customer-focused mindset, with proven success in building effective relationships with both internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
• Ability to work independently under minimal supervision

Competencies:

Language Skills:

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence as well as speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

Mathematical Skills:

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percentage and to draw and interpret bar graphs. Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Computer Skills:

Ability to use computers and related technology. Able to use word processing software, the Internet, manage files, create presentations, access databases, and create/use spreadsheets.

Physical and Mental Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

• Sit, stand, walk, talk, and hear
• Use fingers and hands to handle, or touch objects or controls
• Stoop, bend, crawl, stoop, kneel, crouch, climb, balance, twist or reach above the shoulders
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 to 50 pounds.

Equipment Used: Personal computer

Working Environment:

• Work Setting: Primarily in an office within a manufacturing facility, with regular visits to warehouses, production areas, and supplier sites.
• Collaboration: Frequent interaction with production teams, engineers, quality control, and suppliers to ensure timely procurement of materials.
• Pace & Demands: Fast-moving environment with shifting priorities based on production schedules, supply chain changes, and urgent material needs.
• Tools & Technology: Daily use of ERP/MRP systems, spreadsheets, procurement software, and standard office equipment.
• Physical Aspects: Mostly sedentary work, but may require walking through manufacturing areas, inspecting materials, or meeting with vendors on-site.
• Noise & Safety: Exposure to moderate industrial noise when on the production floor; adherence to safety protocols and PPE requirements is essential.

We Make it Easy:

Founded in 1901, MRA is a nonprofit employer association that serves more than 4,000 employers, covering more than one million employees.

As one of the largest employer associations in the nation, MRA helps its member organizations thrive by offering the most comprehensive assortment of HR services, information, education, and resources to help build successful workplaces and a powerful workforce.

We partner with these companies working directly with their HR department and leadership to hire their talent. We are a direct line to the company, not an agency recruiter.