Buyer
Salary: Up to $85,000
Location: SE Chicago Suburbs
Job Summary:
We are seeking a Buyer with strong negotiation skills and supplier scorecarding experience to manage procurement activities, optimize supplier performance, and drive cost savings. This role involves strategic supplier selection, contract negotiations, and performance monitoring to ensure operational efficiency and supply chain reliability. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in vendor management, procurement strategy, and cost optimization.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and execute procurement strategies to ensure cost-effective and timely purchasing of materials and services.
- Conduct supplier negotiations to secure favorable pricing, terms, and long-term agreements.
- Implement and manage supplier scorecards to assess performance based on cost, quality, delivery, and service metrics.
- Work closely with supply chain, engineering, and quality teams to evaluate supplier capabilities and identify areas for improvement.
- Manage RFQ (Request for Quotation) and RFP (Request for Proposal) processes, analyzing bids and selecting the best suppliers.
- Identify and execute cost-saving initiatives through strategic sourcing, vendor consolidation, and contract renegotiation.
- Ensure compliance with company procurement policies, ethical sourcing standards, and industry regulations.
- Monitor market trends, raw material price fluctuations, and supply chain risks to make proactive purchasing decisions.
- Resolve supplier-related issues, including delays, quality concerns, and non-compliance, to maintain smooth operations.
- Maintain accurate procurement records, supplier agreements, and purchasing documentation.
Qualifications & Skills:
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or a related field.
- 3+ years of experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, or supply chain management.
- Strong negotiation skills with experience in contract management and cost-reduction strategies.
- Experience developing and utilizing supplier scorecards to track and improve vendor performance.
- Proficiency in ERP/MRP systems (SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, etc.) for purchasing and supplier management.
- Strong analytical skills to evaluate pricing, market trends, and supplier performance data.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills to manage supplier partnerships effectively.
- Ability to problem-solve and resolve supplier issues in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies is a plus.
Preferred Qualifications:
- CPSM, CPIM, or CSCP certification from APICS or ISM.
- Experience in automotive, aerospace, industrial manufacturing, or high-volume production industries.
- Background in global sourcing and supplier risk management.
- Understanding of tariffs, trade compliance, and supply chain logistics.
