Buyer
Guthrie, KY (Clarksville, TN / Guthrie, KY Area)
Salary Range: $80,000 - $95,000 annually, based on experience and qualifications.
Conner Industries is seeking a Buyer to join our procurement team, with the Guthrie, Kentucky facility serving as the home base for this position. This role is ideal for a procurement professional with experience in sourcing, supplier management, contract negotiations, inventory planning, and cost reduction within a manufacturing environment.
The Buyer will be responsible for supporting the procurement of both direct and indirect materials while partnering closely with operations, finance, and plant leadership to ensure material availability, optimize costs, and support business objectives across multiple locations.
This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated purchasing professional looking to grow their career with a stable and growing manufacturing organization.
COMPANY
Conner Industries, Inc. is a leading provider of custom wood packaging and integrated packaging solutions, serving customers across a wide range of industrial markets. Supported by our vertically integrated industrial lumber capabilities, we operate 18 manufacturing locations nationwide. With more than 40 years in the industry, Conner continues to deliver reliable, tailored packaging solutions that meet the demands of our customers.
Requirements
The Buyer is responsible for sourcing, negotiating pricing, and purchasing direct materials required
for our packaging business including items such as corrugated, paper, foam, fasteners along with indirect
costs such as electricity, office supplies, rent, and the contesting of property tax assessments.
KEY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
- Work directly with sales, management and key plant operations in sourcing materials for existing and prospective accounts. This will include purchasing materials from approved vendors based on sales/plants forecast and demand.
- Negotiating supply contracts with key vendors.
- Manage materials inventories in conjunction with plant operations.
DUTIES AND REQUIREMENTS
- Conduct product research and source suppliers and vendors
- Establish professional relationships with suppliers and vendors
- Qualify new suppliers with a rigorous process
- Source materials, goods and products, and negotiate the best and/or most cost-effective pricing
without sacrificing the quality necessary for the customer end-product
- Coordinate with plant management and sales team to purchase and maintain necessary
inventory for use in assembling customer product
- Sourcing lumber third party components and analyzing make versus buy scenarios
- Update and maintain records of status of all orders, whether in process or received, and provide
payment approval to company’s accounting department as appropriate
- Coordinate material planning efforts with plant buyers and operations
- Maintain up-to-date, accurate inventory records and participate in year-end and other periodic
inventory counts as assigned
- Model material cost increases, identifying how future cost changes will impact margins
- Coordinate with the sales team on material related price increases and how to communicate to
customers
- Conduct market research to keep abreast of emerging trends and business opportunities
QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
- Two to Five years of purchasing experience in products such as fasteners, corrugate, foam, and/or other
indirect supplies
- Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent, relevant experience
- Existing relationships with suppliers a plus
- Able to negotiate best rates and delivery schedule to meet plant needs
- Must be organized, able to multi-task and maintain accurate records
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Proficient in MSOffice, including strong Excel skills
- Analytic skills to quickly and accurately assimilate information making sound business decisions
- Travel expected up to 20%
- Understand importance of ‘do what you say’
OTHER DUTIES
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities,
duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and
activities may change.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
While this is primarily a sedentary office position which requires the ability to work in confined quarters of
an office, there are times the employee may be required to stand, walk or work in a manufacturing
warehouse environment. Also requires the ability to bend, stoop, reach, lift, and move and/or carry items
up to 50 pounds. The employee is required to have finger dexterity in operating a computer keyboard.
Office work requires sitting at a computer monitor for extended periods of time. While in the
manufacturing warehouse, employees will be required to use hearing protection and other PPE, to
include but not limited to hard-toed shoes.
EEO Statement
Conner Industries provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Conner Industries complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, and transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Conner Industries does not disqualify applicants that test positive for THC on the pre-employment drug screen. As permitted by state law, applicants being considered for positions with the following responsibilities: CDL Drivers, Forklift Operators, Sales, Maintenance, Management, and all Corporate positions, must pass a drug and alcohol test, done through an outside vendor, Quest Diagnostics, before beginning work in that position. Refusal to submit to testing will result in disqualification for the desired position.
Benefits
- Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
- Retirement Plan (401k)
- Life Insurance
- Paid Time Off - Accrued Immediately, Available at 30 days
- 8 Company Paid Holidays
- Short Term & Long Term Disability
- Tuition Reimbursement Program - Including Trade Schools
- Training & Development
