Senior Buyer
Location: Humble, TX
Position Type: Full-Time, On-Site
Position Summary
We are seeking an experienced Senior Buyer to independently manage purchasing and procurement activities for our 24/7 manufacturing facility. This position is responsible for ensuring the timely procurement of raw materials, production supplies, maintenance parts, equipment, and services required to support continuous operations across multiple manufacturing processes, including extrusion, furnace, rolling mill, and wire drawing operations.
This is a highly autonomous role with full ownership of the facility's purchasing function. The successful candidate will work closely with Operations, Manufacturing Planning, Maintenance, Warehouse, Finance, and suppliers to ensure material availability, optimize inventory levels, and drive cost-effective procurement decisions. There is no dedicated purchasing support assigned to this position, requiring a self-directed professional capable of independently managing procurement activities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Manage all purchasing activities for production, maintenance, warehouse, and facility operations.
- Procure raw materials, spare parts, MRO supplies, tooling, equipment, and contracted services.
- Create, issue, and manage purchase orders while ensuring timely supplier deliveries.
- Monitor inventory levels and collaborate with Operations and Planning to maintain adequate material availability.
- Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships focused on quality, delivery performance, service, and cost competitiveness.
- Negotiate pricing, contracts, payment terms, lead times, and service agreements with suppliers.
- Evaluate supplier performance and implement corrective actions when necessary.
- Identify and execute cost savings, supplier consolidation, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Analyze purchasing trends, usage patterns, and inventory requirements to support business objectives.
- Resolve supplier, quality, delivery, and invoice discrepancies in a timely manner.
- Maintain accurate purchasing data and supplier records within ERP systems.
- Support budgeting, forecasting, and annual procurement planning activities.
- Ensure compliance with company purchasing policies and internal controls.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
- Minimum 5 years of purchasing, procurement, or supply chain experience in a manufacturing environment.
- Demonstrated experience independently managing purchasing responsibilities with minimal supervision.
- Strong supplier management and negotiation skills.
- Experience purchasing raw materials, maintenance supplies, spare parts, equipment, and industrial services.
- Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Excel.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in metals manufacturing, wire production, extrusion, rolling mill, or other industrial manufacturing environments.
- Experience supporting continuous 24/7 manufacturing operations.
- Knowledge of inventory management, production planning, and material requirements planning (MRP).
- Professional certifications such as CPSM, CPM, CSCP, or APICS/ASCM credentials.
- Experience leading supplier cost reduction and continuous improvement initiatives.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is a self-motivated procurement professional who thrives in an independent role and understands the urgency of supporting continuous manufacturing operations. They possess strong business judgment, supplier management expertise, and the ability to balance cost, quality, and delivery requirements while ensuring uninterrupted production.
What Success Looks Like
- Consistent material availability with minimal production disruptions.
- Strong supplier performance and on-time delivery metrics.
- Effective inventory management and reduced excess stock.
- Successful cost savings and procurement improvement initiatives.
- Accurate purchasing data and ERP system integrity.
- Strong cross-functional partnerships supporting operational goals.
Pay: $70,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
