Senior Buyer in Whitewater, Wisconsin at LAVELLE INDUSTRIES INC.

Join Our Team! Lavelle Industries Inc. is searching for a Senior Buyer at our Whitewater, WI facility. In this role, you will play a key role in driving strategic procurement, supplier performance, cost optimization, and materials management initiatives across our Burlington, Whitewater, and Mexico facilities. This is a highly collaborative and hands-on leadership position focused on continuous improvement, supplier strategy, and operational excellence, with strong potential for future growth into a Procurement Manager role.

Lavelle is a woman-owned, family business best known for our Korky® brand of toilet repair products sold throughout the home improvement market. As a vertically integrated manufacturer, we develop proprietary rubber formulations and design innovative products focused on ease of use, manufacturability, and long-term performance.

We are a data-driven organization focused on continuous improvement, reducing variation, and investing in innovation across our products, materials, and processes. With ownership actively reinvesting in the business, our goal is simple: to stay in business forever and have fun.

Key Responsibilities

The Senior Buyer will lead procurement, sourcing, and materials management initiatives while driving continuous improvement across the supply chain organization.

Procurement & Strategic Sourcing Responsibilities

· Lead supplier negotiations, strategic sourcing initiatives, and supplier relationship management activities

· Develop sourcing strategies, supplier onboarding processes, and raw material risk mitigation plans

· Conduct market analysis and monitor industry trends to support cost optimization initiatives

· Support inbound freight optimization, sustainability initiatives, and regulatory compliance activities

· Draft and manage service contracts, capital purchases, and procurement process improvements

Materials Management Responsibilities

· Lead materials management strategies to support production, forecasting accuracy, and inventory optimization

· Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on warehouse efficiency, material flow, inventory accuracy, and inbound logistics performance

· Manage supplier forecasting, stocking strategies, lead-time reduction, on-time delivery, and aged inventory reduction initiatives

· Support new product launches and supplier quality initiatives through cross-functional coordination and corrective action management

· Develop Supply Chain team members while driving accountability and continuous improvement

Experience

The successful candidate will bring a combination of strategic sourcing expertise, analytical capability, and operational leadership experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain & Operations Management or related field preferred
• 5+ years of experience in materials management, planning, and strategic sourcing
• APICS Certified in Planning and Inventory Management (CPIM) preferred
• Demonstrated success leading supplier negotiations and strategic sourcing initiatives
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and market analysis skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel and Word, along with web-based systems and applications

Personal Skills and Attributes

· Strong communication, organization, and decision-making skills

· Self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced environment

· Detail-oriented with strong prioritization and problem-solving abilities

· Collaborative relationship-builder with suppliers and cross-functional teams

· Results-driven mindset with a passion for continuous improvement

Requirements:

• In office position based in Whitewater, WI. Must be able to be on site M-F during standard business hours (8-5)
• Ability to travel to our Burlington, WI location as needed.
• Domestic and international travel required to visit suppliers and company facilities

Employee Benefits

• Competitive Salary
• Medical, dental, disability, and life insurance
• 401k retirement savings plan with company match
• 10 paid holidays plus vacation time
• Casual Dress Code
• Free on-site health clinic with in-person and virtual appointments
• Tuition reimbursement
• Growth-Oriented Company Culture: Korky University Training, Annual Professional Development, Weekly Mentoring Sessions
• Fringe Benefits: Discounts for local businesses, company-wide events, and more
• Defined Path for Career Development
• Over 100-year-old, thriving, woman-owned and family-owned business
• Made in USA Manufacturer

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.