The Senior Buyer is responsible for leading procurement activities to ensure uninterrupted material availability in support of production schedules, customer demand, and revenue objectives. This role owns supplier performance management, risk mitigation, inventory optimization, cost control initiatives, and complex procurement execution across a broad supplier portfolio.

The Senior Buyer serves as a key liaison between Supply Chain, Planning, Operations, Engineering, Quality, Finance, Strategic Sourcing, and suppliers, driving supply continuity, operational excellence, and continuous improvement initiatives. This position requires strong analytical skills, sound business judgment, and the ability to influence internal and external stakeholders at multiple organizational levels.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Procurement & Purchase Order Management

• Lead procurement activities based on MRP requirements and business priorities.
• Review, release, and manage purchase orders ensuring accuracy of pricing, lead times, quantities, and delivery schedules.
• Drive supplier accountability to support production requirements and customer commitments.
• Optimize procurement parameters and master data within SAP to improve supply chain performance.
• Monitor and manage open order portfolios, identifying risks and executing mitigation plans.

Supplier Relationship & Performance Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact for strategic and high-impact suppliers.
• Monitor supplier performance metrics, including on-time delivery, responsiveness, quality, and capacity.
• Lead business reviews and corrective action plans with suppliers.
• Develop recovery plans to address supply constraints, shortages, and service failures.
• Partner with Strategic Sourcing to support supplier development and long-term supply strategies.

Risk Management & Supply Continuity

• Proactively identify and mitigate supply chain risks impacting production, revenue, or customer commitments.
• Lead escalation efforts for critical shortages, capacity limitations, quality concerns, and logistics disruptions.
• Develop contingency plans and collaborate cross-functionally to ensure business continuity.
• Communicate risks, impacts, and recovery plans to management and key stakeholders.

Inventory Optimization & Cost Management

• Drive inventory reduction and working capital improvement initiatives while maintaining supply continuity.
• Analyze excess, obsolete, and slow-moving inventory and execute disposition strategies.
• Support cost savings, cost avoidance, and productivity initiatives.
• Balance inventory targets with operational requirements and customer demand.

Engineering Changes & Product Transitions

• Lead procurement execution related to engineering changes, new product introductions, and product phase-outs.
• Evaluate inventory exposure and supplier commitments associated with design changes.
• Coordinate material transition plans with Engineering, Planning, and Operations.
• Minimize excess and obsolete inventory resulting from engineering changes.

Revenue & Customer Commitment Support

• Identify material constraints that could impact shipments, customer deliveries, or monthly revenue performance.
• Prioritize procurement actions supporting revenue-critical orders.
• Participate in operational reviews and support recovery plans for high-priority customer requirements.
• Drive supplier responsiveness during end-of-month and quarter-end revenue attainment activities.

Continuous Improvement & Cross-Functional Leadership

• Lead process improvement initiatives focused on procurement efficiency, supplier performance, and inventory optimization.
• Mentor junior buyers and support development of best practices within the team.
• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to improve supply chain execution and overall operational performance.
• Support implementation of new systems, tools, and supply chain processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain, Business Administration, Engineering, or related field.
• 7+ years of experience in Procurement, Purchasing, Materials Management, or Supply Chain roles within a manufacturing environment.
• Advanced English proficiency.
• Strong ERP experience, preferably SAP.
• Advanced Excel skills and data analysis capabilities.
• Experience managing supplier escalations and complex supply chain issues.
• Strong presentation and communication skills; comfortable interacting with managers and senior leadership.
• High sense of urgency, problem-solving skills, and proactive decision-making.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• U.S. Visa preferred.

Preferred Competencies

• Strategic thinking and business acumen.
• Supplier negotiation and relationship management.
• Risk assessment and mitigation.
• Leadership and stakeholder management.
• Strong analytical and financial mindset.
• Results-oriented with high accountability.
• Continuous improvement mindset.