Buyer/Purchasing 2 - (117213-1)
Alpharetta, GA
12 months
Job Description:
Summary: The main function of a buyer is to purchase machinery, equipment, tools, parts, supplies or services necessary for the operation of an establishment. A typical buyer is responsible for buying goods and services for use by their company or organization. A purchasing agent is responsible for the purchase of machinery, equipment, parts, or services necessary for the operation of an establishment.
Job Responsibilities:
- Review and potentially optimize suppliers based on price, quality, selection, service, support, availability and other relevant factors.
- Approve purchases of the highest quality merchandise at the lowest possible price and in correct amounts.
- Approve purchase orders, solicit bid proposals, and review requisitions for goods and services.
- Instruct staff on how to resolve problems related to undelivered goods.
- Instruct staff on methods of negotiation, renegotiation and administration of contracts with suppliers, vendors and other representatives.
- Confer with staff, users, and vendors to discuss defective or unacceptable goods or services and determine corrective action.
- Evaluate and monitor contract performance to ensure compliance with contractual obligations and to determine need for changes.
Skills:
- Verbal and written communication skills, attention to detail, negotiation skills and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to analyze financial reports, price proposals and other technical data.
- Ability to accurately document and record customer/client information.
- Knowledge of applicable laws and regulations related to purchasing.
- Knowledge of supply chain management.
- Previous experience with computer applications, such as Microsoft Word and Excel.
Education/Experience:
- Years of experience: 2-4 years of purchasing, procurement, supply chain, operations, finance, or closely related experience.
- Do you accept internships as job experience: Yes, relevant procurement or supply chain internships may count toward experience when combined with demonstrated hands-on purchasing responsibilities.
- Comparable backgrounds: Indirect Buyer, Purchasing Agent, Procurement Specialist, Buyer/Planner, Sourcing Specialist, MRO Buyer, Supply Chain Analyst, or Operations Buyer.
Position’s Contributions to Work Group:
This indirect buyer will support the Alpharetta EPD Plant by purchasing non-production goods and services needed to keep plant operations, maintenance, facilities, tooling, safety, and business support activities moving. The role will convert approved requisitions into accurate purchase orders, obtain competitive quotes, confirm delivery dates, resolve invoice and receipt issues, and maintain clear communication with internal requestors and suppliers.
Surrounding Team & Key Work:
The buyer will work closely with Procurement, Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, Logistics, Finance/Accounts Payable, and approved suppliers. Key work includes indirect material and service purchases, urgent plant requirements, supplier follow-up, open-order management, pricing validation, and issue resolution.
Purpose of the Team:
Ensure the plant receives the right goods and services, at the right price and timing, with accurate documentation and compliance to purchasing requirements.
Reason/Motivation for Request:
Backfill capacity needed to provide consistent ownership of indirect purchasing activity, supplier follow-up, and timely support for plant requirements.
Why Client? “Whether it be ground-breaking products, best in class solutions or a lifelong career, you can build what matters to you at Client. With 150 locations in countries around the world, what you create at Client travels and helps people around the world. You can collaborate with the best minds in the industry, complete meaningful work and continuously grow and develop through our various opportunities. Here, you can do the work that matters.”
Why this Role?
- This role provides hands-on exposure to plant operations and the full indirect purchasing cycle. The selected candidate will manage supplier relationships, negotiate commercial terms, solve time-sensitive supply issues, and partner with multiple functions. It is a strong opportunity to build practical procurement knowledge, improve business processes, and make a visible impact on plant continuity and cost control.
Typical Task Breakdown:
- Review approved requisitions and confirm scope, specifications, supplier, pricing, account information, and required delivery date.
- Create and maintain accurate purchase orders in M2M and other applicable purchasing systems.
- Follow up on open orders, past-due commitments, acknowledgements, and urgent requests until closure.
- Resolve invoice, receiving, damaged material, return/RMA, quality, and supplier performance issues.
- Maintain clear documentation and communicate status, risks, and required actions to stakeholders.
Interaction with Team:
High daily interaction with internal requestors, Procurement, Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, Logistics, Finance/Accounts Payable, and suppliers. The buyer is expected to respond promptly, clarify requirements, and provide reliable status updates.
Team Structure:
Individual contributor within the Procurement organization, reporting through the local procurement leadership structure and supporting cross-functional plant customers.
Work Environment:
Full-time, on-site manufacturing and office environment. Work includes computer-based purchasing activity, supplier calls, cross-functional meetings, and periodic time on the plant floor. Priorities may shift quickly when production or facility needs become urgent.
Will need for PPE gear – shop floor 10-20%
Education & Experience Required:
Years of experience: 2-4 years of purchasing, procurement, supply chain, operations, finance, or closely related experience.
- Open to Master’s with at least 1 year of experience
Open to associated degree with 6 experience
Do you accept internships as job experience: Yes, relevant procurement or supply chain internships may count toward experience when combined with demonstrated hands-on purchasing responsibilities.
Comparable backgrounds: Indirect Buyer, Purchasing Agent, Procurement Specialist, Buyer/Planner, Sourcing Specialist, MRO Buyer, Supply Chain Analyst, or Operations Buyer.
Top 3 Skills:
- Purchasing execution and supplier follow-up: accurate PO creation, acknowledgement, delivery tracking, expediting, and closure.
- Commercial judgment: quote analysis, total-cost evaluation, negotiation, and selection based on price, quality, service, lead time, and risk.
- Communication and ownership: prompt updates, attention to detail, organized documentation, and disciplined follow-through across multiple priorities.
Additional Technical Skills - Required:
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Outlook, Word, and Teams.
- Experience using an ERP, MRP, or purchasing system to create and maintain purchase orders.
- Ability to analyze quotations, pricing, lead times, order status, and basic financial or technical information.
- Working knowledge of procurement controls, supplier documentation, and purchase-to-pay processes.
Additional Technical Skills - Desired:
- Experience with M2M/Aptean or a comparable manufacturing ERP system.
- Indirect, facilities, tooling, service, or plant procurement experience.
- Experience resolving invoice discrepancies, returns/RMAs, and receiving issues.
- Exposure to supplier performance tracking, cost savings, and competitive bidding.
Soft Skills - Required:
- Strong written and verbal communication.
- Sense of urgency and consistent follow-through.
- Organization, accuracy, and ability to manage competing priorities.
- Professional supplier and stakeholder relationship management.
- Problem-solving and willingness to escalate risks early.
Self governance /working independently
Soft Skills - Desired:
- Continuous-improvement mindset and curiosity about plant operations.
- Confidence working independently while collaborating across functions.
Disqualifiers/Red Flags/Overqualifications:
- No demonstrated ownership of purchase orders or supplier follow-up.
- Repeated examples of poor attention to detail, missed commitments, or failure to communicate risks.
- Unable to work full time on-site at the Alpharetta plant.
- Limited ability to prioritize urgent requests while maintaining routine purchasing work.
- Experience limited to transactional data entry without supplier interaction, issue resolution, or commercial decision-making.
- Overqualification concern: candidate is seeking a strategic sourcing, people-leader, or fully remote role that does not align with the hands-on, on-site scope of this position.
Travel Requirement - none
Export Control Requirements - YES
Ravi Teja
615-219-6196
ravi.teja@harveynash.com
