Buyer

Negotiates and purchases complex products and services according to demand plans and purchasing policies. Liaises with business and suppliers. Analyzes and evaluates bids, tenders and proposals. Negotiates prices, terms and conditions, and finalise contracts with suppliers. May lead a team.

Buyer – Raw Materials Procurement

Ensures timely, cost‑effective availability of materials to support uninterrupted production.

Position Summary. The Buyer is responsible for planning, sourcing, and purchasing all raw materials required for production. This role ensures that materials are available to meet customer demand while maintaining optimal inventory levels and minimizing carrying costs. Success in this position requires strong analytical skills, proactive communication, and the ability to balance cost, quality, and supply continuity.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Material Planning & Purchasing

•             Procure raw materials in alignment with current forecasts and production schedules.

•             Continuously monitor inventory levels to maintain adequate supply while minimizing inventory investment.

•             Analyze actual material usage versus forecasted demand, considering vendor lead times and production variability.

•             Create annual raw material projections and review requirements with suppliers.

Supplier & Order Management

•             Maintain accurate purchase orders, confirmations, tracking logs, and vendor records.

•             Monitor vendor‑managed inventory programs and establish appropriate inventory guidelines.

•             Source new materials and obtain competitive written quotes based on specifications provided by operations and maintenance.

•             Maintain an efficient system for tracking all open purchase orders and resolving discrepancies.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

•             Work closely with planning, operations, and inventory management to adjust orders based on changing forecasts, performance, and production needs.

•             Coordinate with outside warehouses to ensure accurate and timely movement of materials.

•             Partner with the controller to ensure proper coding of inventory and purchased items.

Financial & Compliance Support

•             Assist with cost estimates, budgeting, and special projects as needed.

•             Support accounts payable by reconciling purchase orders and invoices.

•             Assist independent auditors during purchase order audits.

Reporting & Data Management

•             Develop and distribute material usage, inventory, and purchasing reports for management review.

•             Create new item records and maintain paperboard standards documentation.

Other Duties

•             Perform additional responsibilities as assigned by management.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

•             Strong proficiency in MS Excel, MS Word, and standard purchasing/ERP systems.

•             Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across departments.

•             Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills.

•             Solid understanding of production planning and manufacturing workflows.

•             Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities.

•             Ability to work effectively in a team environment.

Education & Experience

•             Bachelor’s degree required

•             Minimum 5 years of purchasing or materials management experience in a manufacturing environment preferred.

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