Buyer

The Buyer is responsible for managing the procurement of raw materials, monitoring inventory transactions, and ensuring materials are available to support production schedules. This role serves as a key point of contact between suppliers and internal teams, ensuring that sourcing activities deliver the best quality, cost, and service to align with company goals.

A Typical Day / Job Responsibilities

The list of tasks and responsibilities is not all inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities as management may deem necessary.

Procurement & Strategic Sourcing

• Partner with suppliers to source and purchase raw materials, ensuring timely delivery for production needs.

• Proactively engage in strategic material sourcing to identify cost savings, mitigate risks, and strengthen vendor partnerships.

• Obtain competitive quotes and evaluate suppliers on cost, quality, service, and lead time.

• Negotiate stocking agreements and manage blanket purchase orders.

• Manage purchase orders from creation through delivery, including updates and vendor follow-up.

Supplier Relations

• Prepare and maintain supplier scorecards to track and communicate performance.

• Manage claims and Return Purchase Orders (RPOs) with suppliers, ensuring timely resolution.

• Collaborate with vendors to resolve delivery issues, delays, or shortages.

• Create relationships with suppliers that foster lasting partnerships and open communication.

• Represent the company professionally in all supplier communications.

Inventory & Data Management

• Monitor inventory levels and reconcile discrepancies.

• Identify obsolete or slow-moving materials and recommend corrective action.

• Maintain accurate supplier and material records, including costs, lead times, and allocations.

• Report and track cycle counts, ensuring database accuracy.

Logistics & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Coordinate with the shipping department on supplier-related pick-ups, deliveries, and returns.

• Collaborate with internal teams to provide timely updates on material availability and vendor performance.

• Support cross-functional initiatives, special projects, and company objectives.

• Provide backup support for related roles such as Estimator/Part Master and Production Specialist.

General

• Represent Roastar professionally and embody our core values: Be a Dreamer, Be Pioneering, Be a Typical Midwesterner.

• Adhere to all company policies, procedures, and safety protocols to maintain a safe and productive work environment.

• Participate in weekly team meetings, show accountability for completing to-dos, providing feedback on projects, and staying engaged in company & department related issues.

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications, Education, Experience, Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• High School Diploma or GED required, post-secondary education in business or related field preferred.

• Proven experience in a manufacturing or supply chain environment required.

• 2+ years of purchasing and/or buyer experience is preferred.

• Knowledge of label and flexible packaging materials is a plus.

• Familiarity with ERP/MRP software, including inventory management and purchasing processes.

• Proven negotiation and analytical skills with a focus on delivering measurable results.

• Strong math, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Proficiency with MS Office Suite; ERP experience is strongly preferred.

• Dependable and punctual.

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Ability to perform the essential functions of the position including, but not be limited to the following:

• Use of office equipment including computer, telephone, copier/printer.

• Ability to sit at a computer for an extended period.

• Frequently required to walk, stand, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.   

• Hours of work are generally during regular business hours and average at least 45 hours a week.

• There will be some variation in work hours due to employee shift schedules, special projects, deadlines, employee needs, and other concerns. Occasional out-of-town and overnight travel may be required for business and education.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work is performed in both office and manufacturing environments.

• Exposure to production areas may require use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

• Noise levels are generally moderate but may be higher in production areas.

General

This position description is not intended to be all inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. Responsibilities and requirements are subject to change at the discretion of management. The employee is expected to adhere to all Company policies and procedures.