LA Turbine - Buyer | $46.60

Job Description

Job Description

Key Personnel is seeking a Buyer in Strafford, TX

Job Title : Buyer
Location:  Strafford, TX
Hours: Monday – Friday | 7:00am–3:30pm
Pay Rate: $46.60/hr
Type: Temp-to-Hire

Buyer Job Summary

Manage the procurement process to ensure the timely acquisition of materials, equipment, and services required to support manufacturing operations. The Buyer will maintain supplier relationships, control costs, support inventory requirements, and help ensure uninterrupted production. This position works with minimal supervision, manages complex purchasing challenges, and serves as a key resource to internal departments while supporting continuous improvement throughout the supply chain.

Buyer Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for direct and indirect materials to support production and business requirements.

• Research, evaluate, and source materials, components, equipment, and services from qualified suppliers.

• Purchase metal, machined parts, fabrications, and outside services including machining, plating, inspection, and related supplier services.

• Prepare and execute purchase orders, blanket orders, and requests for quotation (RFQs).

• Partner with Category Managers to generate RFQs for assigned product and supplier categories.

• Review and analyze supplier quotations and negotiate pricing, contracts, delivery schedules, and terms.

• Make sourcing recommendations based on cost, quality, reliability, delivery, and overall business requirements.

• Identify, evaluate, and manage supplier relationships to ensure quality, reliability, responsiveness, and cost-effectiveness.

• Monitor supplier performance, including quality, delivery, responsiveness, and cost competitiveness.

• Expedite open purchase orders and proactively address supplier delays, shortages, and backorders to minimize production disruptions.

• Monitor market trends, pricing fluctuations, and supply chain risks to identify cost-saving opportunities and adjust procurement strategies as needed.

• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Engineering, Production, Quality, Planning, Inventory Control, and Operations teams to align purchasing activities with production schedules and operational requirements.

• Review inventory levels and planning requirements to ensure material availability while minimizing excess inventory.

• Resolve supplier issues involving delivery, quality, invoicing, purchasing discrepancies, and other procurement concerns.

• Maintain accurate purchasing records, pricing information, supplier performance data, and procurement documentation within the ERP system.

• Support ERP system updates and maintain accurate procurement and supplier data.

• Lead or support cost-reduction initiatives and continuous improvement projects within the supply chain.

• Assist with regional and global sourcing initiatives designed to improve purchasing efficiency and leverage supplier capabilities.

• Ensure purchasing activities comply with company policies, quality requirements, industry regulations, ethical sourcing standards, and established procedures.

• Provide guidance and support to less experienced team members and may serve as a lead for departmental purchasing activities.

• Participate in cross-functional projects and strategic sourcing initiatives to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and strengthen supplier performance.

Buyer Procurement & Supplier Responsibilities

• Build and maintain strong professional relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.

• Communicate effectively with suppliers regarding pricing, specifications, delivery schedules, quality concerns, and purchasing requirements.

• Proactively identify and resolve supply chain issues that could impact production, cost, quality, or delivery.

• Maintain accurate documentation and follow through on open purchasing issues and action items.

• Work independently while effectively managing multiple priorities and deadlines.

• Support uninterrupted production by ensuring materials and services are available when needed.

Buyer Technical & Administrative Skills  Required:

• Minimum of 5 years of procurement, purchasing, or supply chain experience in a manufacturing environment.

• Experience purchasing metal, machined parts, fabrications, and/or coordinating outside services such as machining, plating, inspection, or similar supplier services.

• Strong understanding of procurement principles, inventory management, supplier management, and supply chain processes.

• Experience negotiating pricing, contracts, delivery terms, and supplier agreements.

• Basic ability to read and understand blueprints and technical documentation.

• Understanding of quality systems, ISO requirements, and quality documentation.

• Experience with ERP/MRP systems; Epicor, JD Edwards, or similar systems preferred.

• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Microsoft Excel.

• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to analyze purchasing data, market trends, supplier performance, and inventory requirements.

Preferred:

• Experience with strategic sourcing and cost-reduction initiatives.

• Experience supporting machining, fabrication, plating, inspection, or other manufacturing services.

• Experience with Microsoft Teams and other business communication platforms.

• Previous lead, mentoring, or supervisory experience.

Buyer Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field preferred.

• Equivalent combinations of education and relevant purchasing/procurement experience may be considered.

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant procurement, purchasing, or supply chain experience in a manufacturing environment.

• Demonstrated ability to manage supplier relationships and complex purchasing issues independently.

• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate purchasing and ERP records.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

• Strong work ethic with excellent follow-through and accountability.