Buyer

Summary: 

The Buyer is responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and purchasing materials, components, and services necessary for the production of filtration products. This role ensures a reliable supply of high-quality materials at competitive costs while supporting production schedules and company growth objectives. The Buyer collaborates with suppliers, internal teams, and other stakeholders to optimize procurement strategies, reduce risks, and drive supply chain efficiency.

Duties / Responsibilities: 

• Source and purchase raw materials, components, and supplies required for the manufacturing of air and oil filters.
• Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships to ensure consistent quality, on-time delivery, and cost-effectiveness.
• Negotiate pricing, terms, and contracts with suppliers while monitoring performance to ensure compliance with agreements.
• Collaborate with engineering, production, and quality teams to align procurement with product and production requirements.
• Analyze market trends, material availability, and cost drivers to support strategic purchasing decisions.
• Maintain accurate purchase orders, supplier records, and data within the ERP system.
• Monitor inventory levels to support production schedules while minimizing excess stock and obsolescence.
• Identify and qualify new suppliers to expand sourcing options and mitigate supply chain risk.
• Resolve issues related to supplier quality, delivery, or invoicing discrepancies in a timely manner.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives within the supply chain and contribute to cost-saving projects.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• 3–5 years of purchasing or procurement experience in a manufacturing environment, ideally within filtration, automotive, or industrial products.
• Strong negotiation and supplier management skills.
• Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems and purchasing workflows.
• Excellent organizational and analytical abilities with attention to detail.
• Ability to build effective working relationships across departments and with external suppliers.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; Excel expertise strongly preferred.

Normal Working Hours and Conditions: Core business hours are generally 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.  However, this position may require work to be performed outside of normal business hours based on Company operations.  

Physical Requirements: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting including verbally communicating, seeing and hearing to exchange information and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard.   Daily physical functions include standing, sitting and walking for prolonged periods of time and occasionally stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching, reaching, and twisting.  The employee may engage in lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling light to moderate amounts of weight up to 25 pounds.  The position also requires the operation of office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement.