Electro Freeze/H.C. Duke LLC, a Welbilt Company, is a leader in the design and innovation of frozen treat equipment. Our product line includes solutions for soft serve, yogurt, shake, frozen beverages, hard pack/gelato batch freezers, and flavor systems. Based out of East Moline, IL, we pioneered the soft serve ice cream machine in 1946. We have continued to improve upon our designs through support from all company departments.
The Associate Buyer supports manufacturing operations by purchasing materials, components, and services needed to meet production and customer requirements. This position reviews purchasing recommendations, creates and maintains purchase orders, communicates with suppliers regarding deliveries, and works closely with production, planning, engineering, and inventory teams to ensure material availability. The Associate Buyer develops knowledge of procurement and supply chain processes while supporting cost, quality, and delivery objectives.
Responsibilities:
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Review SAP-generated purchasing recommendations and create purchase orders as needed.
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Monitor open purchase orders and follow up with suppliers to ensure on-time delivery.
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Communicate supplier shortages, delays, and other material concerns to internal stakeholders, escalating as needed.
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Maintain accurate purchasing records in SAP, including lead-time, minimum order quantities, pricing, and supplier information.
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Work closely with production, planning, inventory, and engineering teams to support manufacturing requirements.
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Assist with supplier performance tracking and reporting.
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Support supplier quality issue resolution through coordination with suppliers and internal teams.
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Assist with obtaining supplier quotations and evaluating sourcing options.
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Participate in inventory and cost-control initiatives.
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Learn and support strategic sourcing and supplier management activities.
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Perform other duties as assigned.
Skills and Knowledge:
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Understanding of procurement and supply chain principles.
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Customer service skills.
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Ability to build effective working relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
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Organizational and time management skills with attention to detail.
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Critical thinking, using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
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Effective and professional communication with stakeholders, whether in person, via phone or email.
Education and Experience:
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We recognize that successful purchasing professionals come from a variety of educational and career backgrounds. We are committed to developing future purchasing professionals and welcome candidates who demonstrate strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, even if their experience does not come from a traditional procurement background. We welcome candidates with one of the following qualifications:
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Associate degree or bachelor's degree in business, Supply Chain, Operations, Finance, Manufacturing Technology, or a related field.
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Relevant coursework, certification, or training in purchasing, procurement, logistics, inventory management, or business administration.
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Equivalent experience in purchasing, customer service, inventory control, production planning, logistics, inside sales, or a related manufacturing support role.
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One to three years of experience in purchasing, procurement, inventory control, customer service, logistics, production planning, manufacturing administration, or a related role preferred.
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Experience working in a manufacturing environment preferred.
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Experience using an ERP system, such as SAP, preferred.
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Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
Benefits:
Employer sponsored benefits:
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Employee group term life insurance and AD&D
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Short -term and long-term disability
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Company HSA contribution for HDHP
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Employee assistance program
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Financial wellness services
- Travel assistance
- Annual discretionary 401k bonus
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10 paid holidays
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Paid time off
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Annual PPE reimbursement program
Voluntary benefit offerings:
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Medical insurance (PPO and HDHP with HSA)
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Prescription benefits
- Dental insurance
- Vision benefits
- Medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts
- Additional voluntary life insurance and AD&D, including dependent coverage
- Supplemental plans (Critical illness, accident insurance, hospital indemnity)
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Group legal coverage and identity theft protection
- 401k program with a company match
