The MRO Buyer is responsible for the procurement and management of all Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) materials, supplies, parts, and contracted services required to support production, maintenance, engineering, and reliability activities. This role ensures uninterrupted operations by maintaining accurate inventory levels, managing supplier relationships, resolving transactional issues, and driving cost savings and process improvements. The MRO Buyer is a key contributor to plant uptime, preventive maintenance execution, and capital project success.

Essential Job Duties

Procurement & Supplier Management

• Source and procure a broad range of MRO materials: mechanical/electrical components, spare parts, tools, safety equipment, consumables, and services.
• Identify, evaluate, and develop suppliers based on quality, cost, service, and reliability.
• Negotiate pricing, contracts, service agreements, and terms to secure optimal value for the company.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with vendors to ensure reliable supply and on-time delivery.
• Address supplier performance issues and implement corrective actions when needed.

Inventory Management & ERP Accuracy

• Maintain accurate inventory levels and reorder points to support maintenance and production needs.
• Perform and assist with cycle counts, reconcile variances, and support inventory accuracy KPIs.
• Maintain material master data including descriptions, pricing, vendor information, min/max levels, and purchasing info records.
• Ensure purchase orders, receipts, and transactions are timely, accurate, and aligned with ERP/MRP requirements.
• Proactively prevent shortages of critical spare parts through forecasting, planning, and communication.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Maintenance Supervisors, Planners, Project Engineers, and Operations to understand upcoming PMs, work orders, and capital project needs.
• Collaborate with AP and Finance to resolve invoice discrepancies, blocked invoices, pricing issues, and receiving errors.
• Support Engineering with sourcing and procurement activities for CAPEX initiatives.
• Work closely with internal customers to provide updates on order status and potential risks.

Cost Control & Continuous Improvement

• Monitor MRO spend and identify opportunities for cost reduction, standardization, and supplier consolidation.
• Implement cost-effective procurement strategies based on data-driven analysis.
• Participate in Lean/TPM, storeroom, and process improvement initiatives that enhance inventory accuracy, reduce downtime, and improve reliability.
• Contribute to initiatives such as VLM optimization, 5S, and storeroom organization.

Quality, Compliance & Safety

• Ensure all purchased materials meet safety, quality, and regulatory standards required for food manufacturing.
• Maintain complete and organized procurement documentation (POs, contracts, invoices, pricing).
• Follow all procurement policies, safety procedures, and industry regulations.
• Maintain a clean and safe working environment within storeroom and parts areas.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, or related field preferred; Associate’s degree or equivalent experience considered.
• 3+ years of purchasing or MRO procurement experience in a manufacturing or maintenance environment; food manufacturing experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of industrial equipment, mechanical/electrical components, and MRO suppliers.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong negotiation, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• High attention to detail and accuracy in transactional work.
• Ability to prioritize and work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Proficient in ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Office applications (Excel required).
• Ability to build strong relationships with internal customers and vendors.
• Knowledge of quality and safety standards in food manufacturing.
• Bilingual preferred.

Environmental & Physical Requirements

• Work in both office and plant environments, including exposure to 45°F.
• Potential exposure to wet conditions and diluted cleaning chemicals.
• Frequent walking and standing; occasional lifting up to 50 lbs; bending, kneeling, pushing, and pulling as needed.
• PPE required in production areas.