Buyer/Purchasing Associate

POSITION SUMMARY The Associate Buyer supports purchasing activities to ensure materials, outsourced services, tooling, and supplies are available to support production and business needs. This role works closely with suppliers and internal teams to maintain accurate purchase order information, track deliveries, and support day-to-day purchasing operations. This position provides an opportunity to develop purchasing skills and grow into a Buyer role as experience and responsibilities increase.

Job Type Full-time

Description The Associate Buyer supports purchasing activities to ensure materials, outsourced services, tooling, and supplies are available to support production and business needs. This role works closely with suppliers and internal teams to maintain accurate purchase order information, track deliveries, and support day-to-day purchasing operations. This position provides an opportunity to develop purchasing skills and grow into a Buyer role as experience and responsibilities increase.

Itar Requirements This position is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), which restricts access to export-controlled information to U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, or others specifically authorized under U.S. export regulations. work permit or EAD) or visa sponsorship does not meet ITAR requirements.

Essential Job Functions Manage assigned outside processing suppliers and purchase orders, evaluating delivery requirements, identifying potential risks, and coordinating solutions to support production needs.

Oversee assigned supplier relationships by monitoring performance, communicating expectations, resolving routine issues, and identifying opportunities to improve delivery performance.

Support tooling inventory management, including maintaining ToolBoss quantities, coordinating with MSC, and processing tooling orders.

Own assigned inventory categories, including MRO supplies such as office and breakroom inventory, by monitoring usage trends, determining replenishment needs, and partnering with employees across sites to maintain appropriate stock levels based on business requirements and operational priorities.

Maintain purchasing records, reports, and data within ERP and Excel systems.

Support purchasing and shipping/receiving activities, respond to supplier inquiries, and collaborate with Operations, Manufacturing, and other teams to address material and supply needs.

Analyze supplier delivery performance and purchasing data to identify trends, communicate potential issues to the Supplier Quality Engineer, and support continuous improvement efforts.

Identify and recommend improvements to purchasing processes, reporting methods, and supplier communication practices.

Team-oriented with excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.

Qualifications High school diploma and a degree in Business, Operations, Supply Chain, or a related field is preferred; equivalent manufacturing or administrative experience will be considered.

Prior purchasing, supply chain, manufacturing, or related experience preferred.

Experience with ERP systems and Microsoft Excel preferred.

Benefits Start On Day 1 Generous paid time off + 10 paid holidays (including your birthday)

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Life Insurance & long-term disability

Minnesota Paid Family & Medical Leave benefits

Employee Assistance Program

WORK ENVIRONMENT This is primarily an office-based position but may require occasional walks on the production floor.

Employees may be exposed to manufacturing areas where personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety glasses, hearing protection, and composite or steel-toe shoes are required.

The work environment is a clean, climate-controlled facility with modern equipment and a safety-first culture. Ambient conditions include typical plant lighting and machinery operation.

Reaching above shoulder height, below the waist, or lifting as required to reach documents or store materials throughout the workday.

SAFETY COMPLIANCE All employees are expected to understand and follow the Company’s safety policies and procedures while performing their job responsibilities. Adherence to these practices helps protect employees, the workplace, and supports the Company’s business objectives.

All terms and conditions of employment are administered without regard to an individual’s race, color, religion/creed, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Employment is at-will and nothing in this description creates or implies a contract.