Senior Buyer

As a Senior Buyer at Re:Build Manufacturing, your main responsibilities involve sourcing and qualifying suppliers, placing purchase orders, and ensuring timely delivery of goods and services. You will also manage the integrity of the MRP system, mentor entry-level buyers, and foster relationships with suppliers to support project goals and cost negotiations. Your role is critical in maintaining communication with project teams and implementing process improvements to enhance purchasing efficiency.

Candidates for the Senior Buyer role at Composite Resources should have 10 to 12 years of experience in procurement or purchasing. A strong understanding of supply chain management principles is essential, along with a background in manufacturing processes. An Associate or Bachelor degree in Supply Chain Management or Business Management is preferred. Having a solid grasp of how to ensure production processes are capable and stable will also be beneficial.

The Senior Buyer plays a pivotal role in project success at Re:Build Manufacturing by ensuring that materials, products, and services needed for projects are sourced efficiently. They negotiate pricing with suppliers, track purchase orders, and communicate effectively with project managers and engineers. This proactive approach ensures that projects stay on schedule and within budget, ultimately contributing to the overall success and quality of the work produced by Composite Resources.

At Re:Build Manufacturing, the culture for a Senior Buyer is defined by teamwork, accountability, and mutual support. You’ll be working in a fast-paced environment where innovation is encouraged, and every employee is seen as a vital part of the company's mission to transform the manufacturing landscape. Mentorship is key, as you will guide younger buyers, contributing to their growth while working collaboratively to achieve exceptional outcomes for our projects.

A Senior Buyer at Composite Resources can look forward to significant career growth opportunities. With hands-on experience in sourcing and procurement, along with mentoring potential, you have the chance to step into leadership positions within the procurement division or across other operational areas. As Re:Build Manufacturing continues to innovate and grow, there will be exciting chances to contribute to new initiatives and expand your professional skill set.

When answering this question, talk about specific instances where you successfully negotiated with suppliers. Highlight your strategies for achieving cost savings and securing favorable terms. Emphasize the importance of building relationships, as well as your ability to leverage data to support your negotiation decisions.

You should explain your approach to maintaining data accuracy within the MRP system, detailing practices such as regular audits and cross-checking orders against inventory levels. Discuss the importance of clear documentation and communication with team members to ensure any discrepancies are resolved in a timely manner.

Outline the process you follow for qualifying new suppliers, including criteria you consider such as quality standards, delivery times, and cost-effectiveness. Discuss how you involve team members, like Quality Engineers, in the assessment to build a collaborative approach toward supplier selection.

Describe the methods you use to keep informed about trends in procurement, such as attending industry conferences, subscribing to relevant publications, or participating in professional organizations. Highlight how staying updated helps you make informed decisions for the company.

Emphasize skills such as negotiation, analytical thinking, communication, and relationship-building. Provide examples of how each skill has played a role in your buying experience, demonstrating their importance in achieving successful procurement outcomes.

Share a specific example where you successfully handled a conflict, detailing the situation, actions you took to resolve it, and the positive outcome achieved. This shows your problem-solving abilities and your commitment to maintaining productive supplier relationships.

Discuss your time management and organizational strategies, such as using project management tools or prioritizing based on project deadlines. Illustrate your approach to balancing urgency with thoroughness in handling supplier requests and orders.

Explain your methodology for achieving cost savings, which could include strategic sourcing, bulk purchasing, and conducting competitive analyses. Provide examples of situations where your initiatives led to substantial savings for your previous company.

Describe your communication strategy, emphasizing regular updates, transparency, and proactive engagement with project managers. Provide examples of tracking methods you use and how this ensures everyone is on the same page regarding procurement timelines and potential issues.

Mention specific challenges you encountered, such as supply chain disruptions or quality issues, and explain how you addressed these challenges. Highlight your adaptability and the critical thinking skills you employed to find solutions.