Buyer & Inventory Controller

ERMCO-ECI Bristol•Pleasant Prairie, WI

About The Position

Responsible for the end‑to‑end planning, procurement, and inventory management of raw materials, components, consumables, and supplies necessary to support production and plant operations. This role manages vendor relationships, oversees purchasing activities, ensures accurate inventory levels, and leads cross‑functional coordination with Production, S&OP, Warehouse, and Continuous Improvement teams. The position ensures that materials are available at the right time, in the right quantities, and at optimal cost to support on‑time delivery and operational efficiency.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Business or related field preferred
Three to five years’ experience in a purchasing role
Experience with MRP or ERP system
Strong capabilities with Microsoft Excel
Experience in manufacturing environment preferred.
Demonstrated ability to anticipate opportunities or problems and address proactively.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills with ability to work with cross-functional teams
Exceptional organizational and time management skills

Nice To Haves

Relevant certifications in inventory management or supply chain a plus (APICS)

Responsibilities

Review requisitions, production schedules, and MRP reports to manage raw material and supply demand plans.
Prepare purchase orders, bid requests, delivery, and contractual terms within budgetary authority.
Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to support current and future plant needs.
Research and qualify new vendors for new product or service requirements.
Maintain procurement records, including cost, delivery, quality, performance, and purchasing history.
Approve invoices and resolve supplier‑related issues.
Partner with corporate Purchasing to manage enterprise contracts and align on vendor strategy.
Maintain accurate inventory levels for raw materials to meet production and financial targets.
Perform cycle counts, inventory audits, and reconcile variances through root‑cause analysis.
Monitor and report inventory metrics, including accuracy, turns, and DSI.
Ensure proper and timely material transactions in ERP/MRP systems.
Improve and maintain inventory control procedures, labeling, storage organization, and material flow processes.
Work closely with Production, S&OP, Warehouse, and Logistics to ensure seamless material availability.
Support production scheduling by providing accurate inventory data and material availability insights.
Provide data and analysis for demand planning and forecasting activities.