Purchaser / Buyer

KITO CROSBY•Watertown, SD

14d

About The Position

The Purchasing / Buyer is responsible for sourcing and purchasing materials, components, and services required to support daily manufacturing operations. This role ensures materials are available on time, at the right cost, and in the right quantities to keep production running safely and on schedule. The position works closely with manufacturing, engineering, and operations and plays a critical role in preventing material shortages and production disruptions. This is a hands-on, individual contributor role that requires strong organization, follow-through, and clear communication with both internal teams and external suppliers.

Requirements

3–10 years of experience in purchasing, buying, materials coordination, or manufacturing operations within a production environment
Equivalent hands-on manufacturing or administrative experience will be considered for internal candidates with strong plant knowledge and demonstrated ownership
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a production-driven setting
Clear, professional communication skills with suppliers and internal teams
Comfortable working with ERP systems, spreadsheets, and purchasing tools

Nice To Haves

Experience purchasing steel, fabricated components, or industrial materials
Understanding of bills of material and production workflows
Associate’s degree or equivalent experience in supply chain, business, or manufacturing.

Responsibilities

Issue purchase orders for raw materials, fabricated components, hardware, and indirect materials based on production demand and bills of material
Source and qualify suppliers as needed while maintaining strong relationships with existing vendors
Obtain and compare pricing, lead times, and availability to support production schedules
Identify cost-saving opportunities and suitable material alternatives when appropriate
Partner closely with the Plant Manager, manufacturing, and engineering teams to understand material needs and priorities
Monitor open purchase orders to ensure on-time delivery and resolve shortages or delays
Support inventory management efforts, including reorder points and material availability
Proactively identify risks that could lead to line-down situations and take corrective action
Communicate clearly with suppliers regarding order status, changes, and delivery expectations
Resolve issues related to late deliveries, incorrect shipments, or quality concerns
Maintain accurate vendor records and purchasing documentation
Maintain accurate purchasing data within ERP and purchasing systems
Ensure purchase orders, confirmations, and invoices are properly documented and aligned
Support continuous improvement efforts related to purchasing processes and supplier performance