Fabrication Buyer

Job Description

The Fabrication Buyer is responsible for sourcing, purchasing, and managing the supply of raw materials and components required for Victaulic fabrication operations. This includes, but is not limited to, carbon steel and stainless steel pipe, welded olets, fittings, flanges, and other fabrication inputs. The Fabrication Buyer works closely with engineering, operations, and planning teams to ensure material availability supports production schedules while achieving cost, quality, and delivery targets.

Raw Material Procurement

• Source and purchase raw materials for fabrication, including carbon and stainless steel pipe, welded olets, branch connections, fittings, and related components.
• Issue and manage purchase orders in accordance with production requirements, lead times, and inventory targets.
• Review material requirements from ERP/MRP system and convert planned orders into confirmed purchase orders in a timely manner.
• Monitor and expedite open purchase orders to ensure on-time delivery and minimize production disruptions.

Supplier Management

• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with approved suppliers and service centers.
• Evaluate supplier performance based on quality, delivery, pricing, and responsiveness; escalate issues and drive corrective actions as needed.
• Support supplier qualification activities and assist in expanding the approved vendor base for critical raw materials.

Cost & Inventory Management

• Monitor commodity market trends (e.g., steel prices, mill indices) and provide input to cost forecasting and budgeting processes.
• Work with planning and warehouse teams to maintain appropriate inventory levels, minimizing excess stock while preventing material shortages.
• Identify and execute cost savings initiatives through negotiation, consolidation, alternative sourcing, and process improvements.
• Support quarterly and annual physical inventory activities.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with fabrication engineering, project management, and production teams to understand material specifications, tolerances, and scheduling needs.
• Work with the quality team to address non-conforming material receipts, rejections, and supplier corrective actions.
• Coordinate with logistics and receiving to resolve delivery discrepancies, short shipments, and damaged goods.

Compliance & Reporting

• Ensure all purchasing activities comply with Victaulic procurement policies, ethics standards, and relevant regulations.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records in the ERP system (vendor master, pricing, lead times, order history).
• Prepare and present purchasing reports, spend analyses, and savings summaries to management.
• Support internal and external audits as required.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience will be considered.

Experience

• 2–5 years of purchasing or procurement experience, ideally within a manufacturing, fabrication, or industrial environment.
• Prior experience purchasing steel pipe, fittings, or structural steel is strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with mill certifications (MTRs), ASTM material standards, and piping specifications is a plus.

Skills & Competencies

• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems (SAP, Oracle, or equivalent); strong Microsoft Excel skills.
• Solid understanding of supply chain principles including MRP logic, lead time management, and total cost of ownership.
• Strong negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• High attention to detail and strong analytical problem-solving skills.
• APICS CPIM or ISM CPSM certification is a plus.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. 

EEO Statement: Victaulic is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EOE/M/F/Vets/Disabled) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, gender, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic data, or other legally protected status. Background checks may be required as part of our pre-employment process.

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