Buyer

POSITION SUMMARY

The Buyer at PTR plays a critical role in the strategic sourcing and purchasing of production parts across all locations. This position requires the development and maintenance of strong relationships with suppliers, along with demand planning to optimize procurement processes

LOCATION

Onsite in Ft Wayne, IN

COMPENSATION

This position offers a competitive compensation package, benchmarked to regional market standards. It consists of a base salary plus the opportunity for quarterly profit sharing after one year of employment.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Purchasing & Negotiation: 

• Procure materials, equipment, and supplies from supplier partners through effective negotiation.
• Evaluate supplier quotes and services to determine the most desirable suppliers.

Coordination & Operational Oversight: 

• Manage internal purchasing requests, generate external purchasing requests, and track the delivery of goods and services. 
• Plan and coordinate the physical movement of parts and information to optimize cost and service levels. 

Supplier Management:

• Develop and manage the supply base using supplier selection, corrective actions, audits, and feedback systems. 
• Negotiate and settle issues with suppliers, including quality damage claims, rejections, returns, over shipments, cancellations, and engineering changes.

Master Data Management & Auditing: 

• Ensure accuracy of all purchased item data in the Master Data Management system. 
• Conduct regular audits of Bills of Materials (BOMs) to ensure alignment with production requirements.

Inventory Ownership & Strategy:

• Take ownership of Production inventory management across Production locations, ensuring on time deliveries, inventory accuracy, and E&O mitigation.  
• Maintain optimal inventory levels aligned with operational demand and financial objectives. 

Relationship Building & Customer Service: 

• Cultivate strong relationships with internal teams, contract manufacturers, and external suppliers. 
• Act as a liaison between internal stakeholders and external partners to resolve procurement challenges.
• Deliver exceptional service by understanding and responding to internal and external customer needs with professionalism and urgency.

Cost Leadership & Service Optimization: 

• Strategically source and purchase parts to secure lowest total cost and optimal service levels. 
• Leverage PTR’s purchasing volume and growth trajectory to negotiate improved pricing and service agreements. 

Forecasting & Communication: 

• Lead regular forecasting reviews with the Parts Purchasing Team and communicate demand changes proactively to suppliers. 
• Ensure alignment between BOM updates, production schedules, and supplier commitments.

REQUIREMENTS

MUST HAVE 

• Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain management, or related field, or equivalent experience. 
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in procurement or strategic sourcing.
• Proven ability to lead and participate in cross-functional teams. 
• Strong negotiation, organizational, and communication skills.
• Advanced attention to detail, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• Ability to manage complex supplier relationships and drive measurable procurement improvements.