Senior Buyer

Description

About Us:

Chandler Industries is a premier contract manufacturer specializing in precision machining, EDM, sheet metal fabrication, and a range of value-added services. We excel in providing exceptional value through responsive customer service, technical expertise, and innovative lean manufacturing practices.

With six divisions across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Mexico, Chandler supports leading customers in highly regulated industries including aerospace, defense, medical, and semiconductor. Our commitment to world-class quality and on-time performance has made us a trusted long-term partner.

Summary:

The Senior Buyer is responsible for leading strategic purchasing activities that support multiple manufacturing locations while ensuring materials and services are available to meet production schedules, inventory objectives, and customer delivery requirements. This position oversees supplier relationships, procurement strategies, contract negotiations, and purchasing performance while driving cost savings, supply continuity, and operational excellence.

The Senior Buyer serves as a key member of the Supply Chain team, leveraging Epicor ERP to manage purchasing activities, maintain accurate system parameters, optimize inventory levels, and improve supplier performance. This role partners closely with Planning, Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Program Management to proactively resolve supply chain challenges, improve material flow, and support continuous improvement initiatives across the organization.

Position Responsibilities: 

Strategic Procurement

Manage the procurement of raw materials, outside processing, and purchased services to support manufacturing operations across multiple facilities while balancing cost, quality, and delivery performance.

Supplier Relationship Management

Develop and maintain strong supplier partnerships by managing vendor performance, pricing, contract negotiations, new supplier qualification, supplier transitions, and ongoing relationship improvements.

Purchase Order Management

Create, release, maintain, and expedite purchase orders while ensuring accurate delivery commitments and timely communication with suppliers to support production schedules.

Inventory & Material Planning

Monitor inventory levels, safety stock, supplier-managed inventory (VMI), and replenishment strategies to ensure material availability while minimizing excess and obsolete inventory.

Supplier Performance & Risk Management

Monitor supplier quality, delivery performance, purchase price variance, and supply chain risks. Lead supplier issue resolution related to quality, pricing, documentation, shortages, and delivery interruptions.

ERP System Management

Maintain purchasing parameters, supplier data, inventory settings, and master data within the Epicor ERP system to support accurate planning, purchasing, and reporting.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Partner closely with Engineering, Planning, Manufacturing, Program Management, and Quality to coordinate material priorities, engineering changes, new product introductions (NPI), and production schedules.

Continuous Improvement

Identify opportunities to improve procurement processes, supplier performance, inventory optimization, and purchasing efficiency while supporting Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.

Performance Metrics & Analytics

Track and analyze purchasing KPIs including supplier on-time delivery, purchase price variance, inventory levels, supplier quality, past due purchase orders, and inventory turns to drive informed business decisions.

Compliance & Supplier Documentation

Support Quality and Engineering by coordinating customer flow-down requirements, technical documentation, vendor certifications, and supplier compliance to meet customer and regulatory requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, or a related field preferred. 
• Minimum of 8 years of purchasing or supply chain experience within a manufacturing environment. 
• Experience managing procurement for complex manufacturing operations. 
• Demonstrated proficiency with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems; Epicor experience preferred. 
• Strong understanding of purchasing, inventory management, supplier performance, forecasting, and material planning. 
• Experience negotiating supplier pricing, contracts, and long-term supply agreements. 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to make data-driven decisions. 
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to build relationships across all levels of the organization. 
• Demonstrated project management experience with the ability to lead initiatives from concept through implementation. 
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel. 
• Strong negotiation, customer service, and relationship management skills. 
• Ability to travel approximately 5–10%. 
• Must meet ITAR requirements by qualifying as a U.S. Person. 

Preferred Skills & Experience

• APICS Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM). 
• Certified Purchasing Professional (CPP) or similar procurement certification. 
• Experience working within Aerospace, Medical Device, Defense, or other highly regulated manufacturing industries. 
• Experience working with Epicor ERP. 
• Experience purchasing precision machined components, metals, mechanical components, or manufacturing services. 
• Experience with Supplier Managed Inventory (VMI), Sales, Inventory & Operations Planning (SIOP), and inventory optimization. 
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies.