Buyer II in Fort Wayne, Indiana at Press-Seal Gasket Corporation

Buyer II (On-site Position)

Purpose of Position

The Buyer II is responsible for executing and coordinating purchasing activities that support manufacturing operations through proactive material planning, data-driven decision-making, and effective supplier management. This role serves as a key link between Purchasing, Planning, and Operations to ensure material availability, optimize inventory levels, and support production schedules across a growing, fast-paced, multi-site manufacturing environment.

Buyer II utilizes purchasing and inventory data to identify trends, mitigate supply risks, improve supplier performance, and support cost control initiatives. This position requires strong analytical skills, the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously, and a proactive approach to balancing short-term production needs with long-term supply planning objectives. The ideal candidate thrives in a team-driven culture, brings a willingness to roll up their sleeves, and will work in the office and on the plant floor. This role will be reporting directly to Purchasing Manager.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Procurement & Supply Planning

• Procure assigned commodities and materials to support production schedules and operational requirements.

• Analyze production schedules and inventory requirements to develop purchasing plans that ensure continuity of supply.

• Monitor material requirements and adjust purchasing activities based on changing business conditions and production demands.

• Manage open purchase orders and communicate with suppliers to ensure on-time delivery and accurate order fulfillment.

• Coordinate with Planning and Operations to address material shortages, schedule changes, and supply disruptions.

• Identify and evaluate alternative sourcing options to minimize supply risk and support operational continuity.

• Coordinate inbound logistics and freight activities as required, including working with carriers and freight providers to ensure timely and cost-effective material delivery; inbound freight management may be an ongoing expectation of this role.

• Support purchasing activities across multiple facilities as required; the Buyer II must be capable of managing material needs for more than one site simultaneously and adjusting priorities as production demands shift across locations.

• Support capital equipment and tooling purchases as business needs evolve; this may become a recurring responsibility depending on project scope and organizational priorities.

Data Analysis & Inventory Management

• Analyze purchasing, inventory, and supplier performance data to identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities.

• Monitor inventory levels, safety stock requirements, and inventory turns to support company objectives.

• Utilize ERP and reporting tools to evaluate demand patterns and recommend inventory optimization strategies.

• Develop and maintain reports related to purchasing performance, inventory health, supplier metrics, and material availability.

• Support forecasting activities through analysis of historical usage, lead times, and market conditions.

Supplier Management

• Build and maintain effective supplier relationships to support quality, delivery, and cost objectives.

• Participate in supplier negotiations regarding pricing, lead times, and service expectations.

• Monitor supplier performance and collaborate with suppliers to resolve delivery, quality, and service issues.

• Support supplier performance reviews and corrective action initiatives when necessary.

Cost Savings & Value Creation

Cost-savings performance is a defined and measurable expectation of this role. The Buyer II will be held accountable to the following standard:

• Documented, verifiable cost savings of a minimum of 200% of total annual compensation are expected as a baseline annual performance threshold.

• The Purchasing Manager may establish higher targets based on assigned commodities, active projects, market conditions, or sourcing initiatives.

• Cost savings must be documented in accordance with departmental standards and reviewed on a regular basis as part of performance management.

• Methods may include negotiated price reductions, supplier consolidation, lead time improvements with cost impact, freight optimization, and specification-driven sourcing alternatives.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Operations, Planning, Engineering, Quality, and Finance to support company objectives.

• Communicate material availability, supply risks, and mitigation plans to key stakeholders.

• Support new product introductions, engineering changes, and production transitions through effective material planning.

• Demonstrate a team-first attitude; Press-Seal operates in a collaborative, hands-on environment where team members are expected to support one another, adapt to shifting priorities, and contribute where needed to keep operations moving.

Administrative & General Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate purchasing records, supplier information, and ERP system data.

• Prepare and present purchasing, inventory, and supplier performance reports as required.

• Perform other duties as assigned to support departmental and company objectives.

Qualifications

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret purchasing, inventory, and forecasting data.

• Demonstrated understanding of material planning, inventory management, and supply chain principles.

• Familiarity with rubber, polymer, or petrochemical raw materials is a plus; candidates without this background will be expected to develop a working knowledge of rubber raw materials, compounding inputs, and related supply dynamics as part of their role.

• Experience with ERP systems is viewed favorably; Press-Seal operates on Aptean (Made2Manage), and while direct Aptean experience is not required, candidates with a working understanding of any ERP platform will be trained on Aptean/M2M

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt quickly in a fast-paced, multi-site manufacturing environment; experience supporting purchasing across more than one facility is a plus.

• Team-oriented mindset with a demonstrated willingness to help where needed; candidates who thrive in collaborative, high-accountability cultures will fit well here.

• Effective communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate across functional teams.

• Strong organizational and time-management skills

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including data analysis and reporting functions.

• Working knowledge of supplier management and negotiation principles

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Operations, or a related field preferred

• 3–6 years of purchasing, planning, supply chain, or materials management experience, preferably in a manufacturing environment

• Experience with demand planning, inventory management, or production scheduling strongly preferred.

• CPSM, APICS/CPIM, or related supply chain certification preferred but not required.

Work Environments

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employer encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This role will be sitting most of the day, occasionally standing and walking and lifting from time to time.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Procurement & Supply Planning

• Procure assigned commodities and materials to support production schedules and operational requirements.

• Analyze production schedules and inventory requirements to develop purchasing plans that ensure continuity of supply.

• Monitor material requirements and adjust purchasing activities based on changing business conditions and production demands.

• Manage open purchase orders and communicate with suppliers to ensure on-time delivery and accurate order fulfillment.

• Coordinate with Planning and Operations to address material shortages, schedule changes, and supply disruptions.

• Identify and evaluate alternative sourcing options to minimize supply risk and support operational continuity.

• Coordinate inbound logistics and freight activities as required, including working with carriers and freight providers to ensure timely and cost-effective material delivery; inbound freight management may be an ongoing expectation of this role.

• Support purchasing activities across multiple facilities as required; the Buyer II must be capable of managing material needs for more than one site simultaneously and adjusting priorities as production demands shift across locations.

• Support capital equipment and tooling purchases as business needs evolve; this may become a recurring responsibility depending on project scope and organizational priorities.

Data Analysis & Inventory Management

• Analyze purchasing, inventory, and supplier performance data to identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities.

• Monitor inventory levels, safety stock requirements, and inventory turns to support company objectives.

• Utilize ERP and reporting tools to evaluate demand patterns and recommend inventory optimization strategies.

• Develop and maintain reports related to purchasing performance, inventory health, supplier metrics, and material availability.

• Support forecasting activities through analysis of historical usage, lead times, and market conditions.

Supplier Management

• Build and maintain effective supplier relationships to support quality, delivery, and cost objectives.

• Participate in supplier negotiations regarding pricing, lead times, and service expectations.

• Monitor supplier performance and collaborate with suppliers to resolve delivery, quality, and service issues.

• Support supplier performance reviews and corrective action initiatives when necessary.

Cost Savings & Value Creation

Cost-savings performance is a defined and measurable expectation of this role. The Buyer II will be held accountable to the following standard:

• Documented, verifiable cost savings of a minimum of 200% of total annual compensation are expected as a baseline annual performance threshold.

• The Purchasing Manager may establish higher targets based on assigned commodities, active projects, market conditions, or sourcing initiatives.

• Cost savings must be documented in accordance with departmental standards and reviewed on a regular basis as part of performance management.

• Methods may include negotiated price reductions, supplier consolidation, lead time improvements with cost impact, freight optimization, and specification-driven sourcing alternatives.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Operations, Planning, Engineering, Quality, and Finance to support company objectives.

• Communicate material availability, supply risks, and mitigation plans to key stakeholders.

• Support new product introductions, engineering changes, and production transitions through effective material planning.

• Demonstrate a team-first attitude; Press-Seal operates in a collaborative, hands-on environment where team members are expected to support one another, adapt to shifting priorities, and contribute where needed to keep operations moving.

Administrative & General Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate purchasing records, supplier information, and ERP system data.

• Prepare and present purchasing, inventory, and supplier performance reports as required.

• This is a full-time, on-site position at our Fort Wayne, IN facility. Remote and hybrid work arrangements are not available for this role. Consistent, reliable on-site attendance is a condition of employment.

• Perform other duties as assigned to support departmental and company objectives.