Junior Buyer / Buyer

Description

Fleet Engineers in Muskegon, Michigan currently seeks a Junior Buyer / Buyer

Fleet Engineers is part of the Tramec family, with manufacturing facilities across the United States. We offer steady work, competitive pay, and a strong benefits package in a hands-on manufacturing environment where teamwork and reliability matter.

The Junior Buyer / Buyer supports purchasing and inventory management activities by reviewing material requirements, processing purchase orders, communicating with suppliers, and helping maintain accurate inventory and purchasing records.

This position may be filled at either the Junior Buyer or Buyer level based on the selected candidate’s experience and ability to independently perform the responsibilities of the role. We are open to an experienced Buyer or a developing candidate with hands-on MRP experience, strong attention to detail, and a desire to grow within purchasing and supply chain.

Essential Job Functions:

Purchasing and Procurement

• Review material requirements and purchasing recommendations within the MRP system.
• Create and maintain purchase orders for inventory and non-inventory items.
• Communicate with suppliers to confirm pricing, quantities, lead times, order acknowledgements, and delivery dates.
• Monitor open purchase orders and follow up on late deliveries, shortages, pricing discrepancies, and receiving issues.
• Maintain accurate supplier, purchasing, pricing, and delivery information within the ERP or MRP system.
• Assist with sourcing materials, obtaining quotes, and comparing supplier pricing and lead times.
• Support supplier-performance monitoring and purchasing improvement initiatives.

Inventory Support

• Assist with monitoring inventory requirements, shortages, and material availability.
• Prepare and distribute weekly consignment pull reports.
• Reconcile consignment inventory quarterly for all applicable suppliers.
• Research purchasing and inventory discrepancies and coordinate with the appropriate departments to resolve them.
• Support efforts to improve inventory accuracy and reduce shortages, excess inventory, and obsolete materials.

Administrative and Compliance Support

• Maintain supplier records and country-of-origin documentation.
• Ensure purchasing records and supporting documentation are complete, accurate, and properly maintained.
• Provide data entry, reporting, and recordkeeping support related to purchasing and inventory.
• Assist with audits involving inventory, supplier records, and procurement documentation.
• Learn and follow company purchasing procedures and applicable compliance requirements.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Work closely with Operations, Planning, Warehouse, Accounting, and other departments to address material and supplier-related concerns.
• Communicate shortages, delivery concerns, and purchasing issues to the appropriate team members.
• Participate in continuous-improvement efforts related to procurement, inventory, and supplier performance.

Requirements

• Hands-on experience working with an MRP or ERP system is required.
• MRP experience may have been gained through purchasing, materials planning, production scheduling, inventory control, warehouse operations, or a related supply-chain function.
• Previous purchasing or procurement experience is preferred but not required for consideration at the Junior Buyer level.
• Manufacturing or distribution experience is preferred.
• Basic to intermediate Microsoft Excel skills.
• Ability to accurately enter, maintain, and review purchasing and inventory data.
• Professional written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and follow through on open items.
• Associate or bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, or a related field is preferred but not required.
• Experience with country-of-origin requirements, import/export documentation, or consignment inventory is helpful but not required.

Skills and Competencies

• Willingness and ability to learn purchasing and supply-chain processes.
• Strong follow-up and problem-solving skills.
• Comfortable communicating with suppliers and internal departments.
• Ability to recognize discrepancies and ask appropriate questions.
• Dependable, accurate, and organized.
• Able to work independently as knowledge and experience develop.
• Interested in professional growth within purchasing or supply chain.

Position Level

The position may be filled at one of the following levels: Junior Buyer: Appropriate for a candidate with relevant MRP experience and transferable skills who may require training in purchasing processes, supplier management, and company-specific procedures.

Buyer: Appropriate for a candidate with direct purchasing experience who can independently manage routine purchase orders, supplier communication, material requirements, shortages, and inventory-related issues after onboarding. Compensation will be based on the candidate’s relevant experience, MRP proficiency, purchasing knowledge, and demonstrated ability to perform the responsibilities of the position.

Why you’ll like working here

Along with competitive pay, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that supports your health, finances, and work-life balance, including:

• Medical & prescription coverage, including a high-cost specialty drug program (potential for $0 cost)
• Dental and vision insurance
• Company-paid life insurance
• Company-matched 401(k)
• Paid vacation and 10 paid holidays (including your birthday)
• On-demand pay (any day can be payday)
• $2,000 attendance bonus
• $500 employee referral bonus
• $500 wellness visit drawing
• Gym membership credit
• Company-paid uniforms
• Safety gear allowance: $85 for RX safety glasses and $150 for work boots
• Short- and long-term disability
• Tuition reimbursement and internal training opportunities

Tramec is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as defined by applicable law.At this time, we are not able to offer visa sponsorship or relocation assistance for this position. We appreciate your understanding.