Strategic Buyer

* This role will be based from our facility in Birmingham, Ohio*

• Execute purchasing activities
  , including issuing, maintaining, and managing purchase orders to ensure on-time delivery and uninterrupted supply.
• Manage supplier relationships and commercial terms
  , including pricing, contracts, lead times, and performance expectations
  .
• Negotiate pricing and cost improvements with suppliers while maintaining quality, delivery, and service requirements.
• Analyze data to identify cost reduction opportunities and drive supply chain and operational efficiencies
  .
• Support sourcing and supplier transition activities
  , including part transfers, supplier changes, and launch readiness.
• Coordinate with product development and engineering to support new product introductions (NPI), including sourcing, costing, and supplier readiness.
• Support inventory optimization initiatives
  , including replenishment planning, inventory levels, and working capital improvement
  .
• Prepare and maintain cost analyses
  , including total cost of ownership (TCO), pricing comparisons, and variance analysis.
• Develop and support make-versus-buy analyses
  , including cost modeling and supplier capability assessments
  .
• Maintain and update PFEP (Plan for Every Part) data to support accurate planning and purchasing decisions.
• Develop and maintain purchasing and supply chain reports
  , including cost savings, supplier performance, and initiative status
  .
• Manage and maintain ERP system data integrity
  , with responsibility for Infor Syteline purchasing, inventory, and planning transactions
  .
• Apply LEAN principles to identify waste and improve purchasing and supply chain processes.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of supply chain and operational objectives.

• Demonstrated knowledge of strategic sourcing and tactical purchasing
  , including purchase order management, supplier negotiations, and contract administration
  .
• Proficiency with ERP purchasing systems
  , preferably Infor Syteline
  , including PO execution, supplier pricing maintenance, and data accuracy
  .
• Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making capability, supporting pricing decisions, supplier selection, and inventory planning
  .
• Effective communication and negotiation skills to manage suppliers and resolve delivery, pricing, or quality issues
  .
• Proficiency in total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis
  , including material, labor, overhead, logistics, tariffs, and lifecycle cost considerations.
• Ability to develop and execute sourcing initiatives that support cost reduction, on-time delivery, and business unit financial objectives.
• Working knowledge of manufacturing operations, materials planning, and inventory management concepts
  , including PFEP, Kanban, and safety stock methodologies.
• Experience supporting new product introductions (NPI) through cross-functional collaboration with engineering, operations, and product development teams.
• Ability to conduct and support make-versus-buy analyses
  , including cost modeling, capacity evaluation, and supplier capability assessments.
• Demonstrated ability to apply LEAN principles to identify waste, improve processes, and drive continuous improvement across the supply chain.
• Effective project management and prioritization skills
  , capable of managing multiple initiatives and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
  , exercising sound judgment and influencing decisions through fact-based recommendations.

• Minimum of five (5) to seven (7) years of experience in supply chain, or a related discipline
  .
• A bachelor’s degree with a focus on Supply Chain Management
  .
• Experience working in a manufacturing environment, is helpful.
• Strong experience in data collection, analysis, and reporting
  , with advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel
  .
• Demonstrated experience identifying, analyzing, and evaluating cost drivers across products, sites, regions, or supply chains.
• Experience working effectively in cross-functional teams
  , including operations, engineering, finance, and product development.
• Experience operating in a LEAN manufacturing or continuous improvement environment
  , with a working knowledge of inventory planning and control methodologies
  , including Just-In-Time (JIT), Kanban, Min/Max
  , and related replenishment strategies.
• Experience with ERP systems (in a manufacturing setting, is helpful);
  Infor Syteline experience is helpful
  .
• Experience in a low-volume, high-mix manufacturing environment is a plus.