Senior Buyer

Job Title: Senior Buyer

Reports to: Materials Manager

Job Type: Full Time

Exempt position

Job Location: On-site, East Canton, OH

The Senior Buyer is responsible for leading advanced procurement activities, driving strategic sourcing initiatives, and optimizing materials planning to support manufacturing and project services. This role acts as a key partner to the Materials Manager, collaborating with the Buyer and cross-functional teams to ensure cost-effective, timely, and high-quality acquisition of materials, products, and services. The Senior Buyer will champion process improvements, supplier development, and data-driven decision-making, while maintaining an environment that focuses on the Knight Material Technologies How We Work Principles of Safety and Compliance, Customer Focus, Respect, Integrity, Problem Solvers, and Teamwork.

Job Responsibilities:

• Develops and executes sourcing strategies for critical materials and services to achieve cost savings, quality improvements, and risk mitigation.
• Leads supplier selection, qualification, and performance management, including conducting supplier audits and developing scorecards.
• Negotiates complex contracts and long-term agreements, securing favorable terms and building strategic supplier partnerships.
• Monitors market trends and proactively identifies new sourcing opportunities, including global sourcing initiatives.
• Collaborates with Materials Manager and production teams to develop, maintain, and adjust production schedules and procurement plans, ensuring alignment with customer demand, production requirements, and overall business objectives.
• Analyzes inventory levels, usage patterns, and forecasts to optimize stock, minimize shortages, and reduce excess inventory.
• Leads initiatives to streamline procurement processes, enhances workflow efficiency, and drives continuous improvement across the supply chain.
• Analyzes operational and purchasing data, prepares reports and metrics for management, and recommends actions to address bottlenecks and improve performance.
• Partners with Engineering, Production, Quality, and other departments to resolve material issues and support new product introductions.
• Drives results in areas of Cost Savings, Supplier Performance, Inventory Turns, and OTTP for raw materials.
• Mentors and provides guidance to Buyer, sharing best practices and supporting their professional development.
• Expedites critical orders, resolves pricing and shipping exceptions, and ensures timely vendor confirmations.
• Supports team with efforts in 5S efforts.
• Works with Materials Manager and team to maintain documentation for ISO processes and work instructions, including vendor scorecards.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience)

Required Skills & Experience:

• Years of experience: 3+
• Type of experience: Purchasing, strategic sourcing, or materials planning in a manufacturing environment.
• Skills: Organizational, Analytical, Negotiations, Advanced Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and ERP systems, Excellent communication skills and ability to build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, Demonstrated ability to multitask, prioritize, and work in a fast-paced, high-stress environment, Self-motivated, resourceful, and action-oriented.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Years of experience: 3+
• Type of experience: Experience with cost management, supplier development, and contract negotiation.
• Skills: Procurement, cost management, negotiations, planning and scheduling, inventory control, logistics management, experience supporting ISO processes and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Certifications: Certifications such as Certified Purchasing Professional (CPP), Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), or APICS/CPIM

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None (Individual Contributor)

Competencies:

• Business Insight
• Decision Quality
• Negotiation & Manages Conflict
• Ensures Accountability
• Manages Complexity
• Plans and Aligns
• Collaborates
• Communicates Effectively
• Action Oriented
• Being Resilient

Benefits: Our goal is for each employee, and their families, to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength - focusing on overall wellbeing so you can focus on what matters most. Our benefits plan includes - medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, ADD, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, and paid parental leave.  

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Except where prohibited by state law, all offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test. This employer uses E-Verify.