Senior Buyer

Elkhart Plastics, a Myers Industries company (NYSE: MYE), is one of the largest custom rotational molding companies in the United States. With more than 500 employees and 33 years in business, we have the experience and knowledge to make any unique part using the rotomolding process. Elkhart Plastics headquarters are in South Bend, IN, and we have additional facilities in Middlebury, IN; Elkhart, IN; Littleton, CO; Ridgefield, WA; and Atlantic, IA, use the most advanced rotational molding equipment in the industry. We create custom plastics in virtually every application imaginable and an almost endless variety of shapes and thicknesses. From storage tanks to boat seating and agricultural applications to intermediate bulk containers and plastic pallets, Elkhart Plastics is trusted by companies throughout the country to provide a rotationally molded solution, custom designed to meet their needs.

Job Overview

The Plant Senior Buyer is responsible for sourcing and purchasing materials, components, and services required for daily operations at the manufacturing plant. This role ensures that procurement activities support production schedules while meeting quality, cost, and delivery expectations. The Plant Senior Buyer has an extended delegation of authority for purchase orders and spot price negotiation authority for certain commodities. They play a key role in maintaining an uninterrupted supply of goods and optimizing vendor performance at the plant level.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Execute the procurement of raw materials, MRO (maintenance, repair, and operations) items, and indirect supplies based on plant requirements.
• Maintain optimal inventory levels by monitoring usage trends, safety stock, and lead times.
• Identify and evaluate local and regional suppliers; negotiate pricing, delivery terms, and service agreements.
• Manage purchase orders from creation through delivery, including tracking, expediting, and resolving discrepancies or delays.
• Collaborate with production and maintenance teams to ensure timely availability of materials and services.
• Maintain accurate records of purchases, pricing, and supplier performance.
• Participate in cost reduction initiatives, supplier audits, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Ensure compliance with company procurement policies and quality standards.
• Coordinate with the central procurement team on strategic sourcing efforts and supplier development.
• Return to Vendor coordination for quality and delivery issues
• Supplier coordination on quality concerns & escalation in accordance with supply escalation matrix
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, plant-focused environment.
• Knowledge of MRO and indirect procurement categories.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to recognize present, envision future, and develop and implement tactics to get there.
• Communication skills to express ideas and concepts verbally, visually, and in writing.
• Team orientation, communication, presentation, and people skills.
• Systematic-process approach, analytical skills, problem solving and decisiveness.
• Proactive, results focused and striving for continuous improvement.
• Use of financial and quantitative information to optimize results and meet financial commitments.
• Planning and organization to set targets, milestones and follow through on commitments.
• Able to assess own strengths and weaknesses; pursue training and development opportunities for self and others; strive to continuously build knowledge and skills; share expertise with others.
• Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Education and Experience

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or related field.
• Certification in procurement or supply chain (e.g., CPM, CPSM, CPIM) preferred.
• 2+ years of procurement or supply chain experience, preferably in a manufacturing or industrial setting.
• Strong negotiation, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Proficiency with ERP systems (e.g., Syspro, Syteline, CMS, Atlas) and Microsoft Office.
• Experience in lean manufacturing or just-in-time (JIT) environments preferred.

Working Conditions

• Limited travel requirement in this role; may have occasional travel other corporate locations

Physical Requirements

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear and taste or smell.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.