Direct Materials Buyer -- Electronics Manufacturing

Compensation: $25.00–$27.00 per hour

Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM

Employment Type: Full-time, Temp-to-Hire

Hours: 40 per week

Your morning starts by reviewing MRP signals in the ERP system and converting firm requirements into purchase orders. By mid-morning, you’re confirming lead times with authorized distributors, negotiating a price break on a franchise line, and aligning delivery promises with production’s build schedule. After lunch, you’re in Receiving reconciling a parts discrepancy, issuing an RMA for defective material, and updating supplier scorecards with on‑time delivery and quality metrics. You finish the day by briefing Sales and Production on a potential shortage, presenting updated cost comparisons to management, and lining up alternate sources for a critical electromechanical assembly.

• Translate material requirements into accurate, timely purchase orders using an ERP system
• Manage pricing, availability checks, lead-time confirmations, and order status with suppliers
• Negotiate pricing; compare options to achieve best total cost and delivery
• Help identify, evaluate, approve, and onboard new suppliers
• Maintain clean, current supplier, part, and raw material data in ERP
• Buy direct materials plus miscellaneous tooling and shop-floor supplies
• Partner with Receiving to resolve discrepancies and defective product returns (RMA documentation)
• Track supplier performance for on‑time delivery and quality
• Coordinate with Scheduling to align deliveries to production needs
• Communicate shortages, delays, and defects across Sales, Production, and other departments
• Work with Accounting to clear invoice and pricing variances
• Support material selection and research for customer quotes
• Gather, analyze, and present purchasing and supplier data to management
• Contribute to purchasing process improvements and broader supply chain initiatives

• At least 2 years of procurement or purchasing experience
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and organizational chops
• Clear, professional written and verbal communication with suppliers and internal partners
• Solid computer skills (Microsoft Office and similar tools)
• Ability to research pricing, analyze cost, and compare sourcing options
• Skill in juggling multiple priorities in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment
• High attention to detail, initiative, and work ethic
• Occasional local travel to suppliers, as needed

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Business, Supply Chain, Finance, Engineering, or related
• ERP experience
• Background in electronics or electromechanical manufacturing purchasing
• Experience buying through franchise lines or authorized distributors
• Professional credentials such as CPM, APICS, or P.E.
• Supplier negotiation, vendor management, and process improvement experience

Primarily office-based with occasional time on the production floor or in the warehouse.

• Frequent computer work and administrative tasks
• Occasional standing, walking, bending, and material handling
• Regularly lift/move up to 20 lbs and occasionally up to 50 lbs
• Occasional local supplier visits

Familiarity with quality and print interpretation can accelerate sourcing of precision components:

• GD&T, tolerance analysis, blueprint reading
• Quality inspection experience; First Article Inspection (FAI); PPAP process exposure
• Precision measurement and hand metrology; advanced gauge/inspection methods

Exposure to lab equipment is a plus:

• Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM)
• Measurement gauges
• Calipers and micrometers