Buyer

Buyer – Manufacturing (Santa Ana, CA)

Join a growing manufacturing team as a Buyer responsible for strategic and tactical global sourcing of metal castings/forgings, machined components, and fabricated metal parts. This role manages over $10M in annual spend and plays a key part in ensuring competitive cost, quality, and delivery for critical materials.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead global sourcing for assigned commodities, including castings, forgings, machined components, and metal fabrications.
• Develop, maintain, and negotiate with key suppliers, including annual negotiations with top suppliers.
• Ensure materials are delivered on time to support production and prevent stock-outs or revenue impact.
• Monitor supplier performance and drive corrective actions to improve quality and delivery.
• Track and manage inventory levels to ensure adequate supply at all times.
• Support and co-lead procurement strategies with the supply chain/materials team.
• Lead procurement activities for new product development and engineering changes.
• Drive and execute supplier cost-savings projects and standardization initiatives.
• Support and implement global commodity strategies and best practices across multiple sites.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 4–5 years of purchasing/procurement experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong experience with supplier development and global/domestic sourcing strategies.
• In-depth knowledge of machining and fabrication, including bronze alloys, aluminum, carbon steel, and stainless steel.
• Experience working with metal castings, forgings, and welding processes.
• Background in operations, supply chain, and/or lean practices preferred.
• Experience with ERP systems and hands-on problem solving/lean manufacturing is a plus.
• Project planning or project management experience preferred.

Skills and Attributes

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain vendor and supplier relationships.
• Proven negotiation skills and ability to lead or co-lead cross-functional sourcing projects in a global environment.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and a continuous improvement mindset.
• Proficient in MS Office, especially Excel, with excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed.

If you are a proactive, detail-oriented Buyer with strong sourcing and supplier management experience in a manufacturing environment, please apply with your updated resume.