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Jr. Buyer

Big Belly Solar • Full-time • Lawrence, Massachusetts • 3d ago

Full-time

Description

Full-time in Lawrence, MA

Reporting to: Director of Supply Chain

Position Summary:

We seek a proactive and detail-oriented Jr. Buyer to support our assembly manufacturing plant. The Jr. Buyer will work closely with production and warehouse teams to maintain optimal inventory levels while ensuring cost-effectiveness and supplier reliability in a lean, 40-person plant environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Procurement & Material Planning:

Plan and procure materials such as sheet metal, battery packs, solar modules, wiring harnesses, and related components.
Review production schedules and forecasts to determine material needs using MRP tools or manual planning methods.
Issue and manage purchase orders, track deliveries, and expedite critical materials as needed.
Monitor inventory levels and place orders to maintain appropriate stock without over-purchasing.

Vendor & Supplier Management:

Build and maintain strong supplier relationships for quality, cost, and on-time delivery performance.
Assist in the procurement of goods and services for the company
Evaluate new suppliers and negotiate pricing and terms to support production goals and cost targets.
Address and resolve issues related to quality, delays, or shortages with vendors.

Cross-Functional Coordination:

Collaborating with production supervisors and teams leads to understanding material usage, lead times, and any changes to schedules.
Support engineering changes and new product introductions with the timely sourcing of new components.
Work with the warehouse team to ensure accurate receiving, inventory counts, and material flow to the floor.
Assist the Master Planner in creating production schedules based on sales forecasts, customer orders, or stock levels.
Assist the Master Planner to ensure that materials, labor, and equipment are used efficiently to meet production targets and deadlines.

Systems & Reporting:

Maintain data integrity in the ERP system or inventory management software.
Track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as on-time delivery, purchase price variance, and inventory turnover.
Generate regular reports to support purchasing and planning decisions.

Requirements

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Business Administration, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
2+ years of experience in a buyer/planner role, preferably in a small-to-mid-size manufacturing setting.
Experience sourcing industrial, electrical, or solar-related components is a plus.
Familiarity with MRP/ERP systems (e.g., NetSuite, or similar).
Knowledge of procurement regulations and procedures
Strong organizational, analytical, and negotiation skills.
The ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, hands-on environment.

Preferred Skills: