Buyer

What makes us strong? Our employees in 50 countries worldwide - all working with passion to enable high-tech applications with our strong metals: tungsten and molybdenum.

At our Plansee site in Franklin, USA, we specialize in transforming semi-finished molybdenum and tungsten products into complex components - leveraging decades of precision manufacturing and engineering excellence.

Join a highly motivated team in Franklin, USA, where local expertise meets the global knowledge and values of the Plansee Group.

The Buyer is responsible for the strategic sourcing and procurement of materials, equipment, tooling, and services in support of Plansee US production. This role ensures continuity of supply for both internal production and customer-specific components by identifying, developing, and managing a high-performing supply base. The Buyer exercises sound judgment in resolving supply and material challenges, contributes to cross-functional initiatives, and drives cost, quality, and delivery performance.

The Buyer actively participates in supplier audits, production and planning meetings, and continuous improvement initiatives. Responsibilities include analyzing purchase price variances, supporting annual standard cost setting, and maintaining accurate and compliant supplier records. This role requires a proactive approach to supplier management, supply risk management, negotiation, and process optimization.

Responsibilities

• Lead procurement activities for assigned commodities, aligning supply with production requirements and supplier lead times.
• Identify, evaluate, and develop suppliers, including establishing dual/second sourcing strategies to mitigate risk and improve supply continuity.
• Manage end-to-end purchase order lifecycle, including placement, confirmation, tracking, and expediting to ensure on-time delivery.
• Serve as a key point of contact for the supply base, building strong supplier relationships and driving performance improvements in cost, quality, and delivery.
• Partner cross-functionally with Planning, Engineering, Quality, and Accounting to ensure material availability, resolve supply issues, and support operational objectives.
• Analyze and monitor purchase price variances (PPV), contributing to cost control initiatives and supporting annual standard cost updates.
• Negotiate pricing, terms, and long-term agreements with suppliers, including support of annual buy strategies.
• Maintain accurate purchasing data, supplier records, and system integrity within ERP/MRP tools.
• Participate in supplier audits, business reviews, and continuous improvement initiatives as needed.
• Contribute to departmental projects and process improvement efforts that enhance procurement efficiency and effectiveness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, or related field required, along with procurement or sourcing experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of procurement processes, supplier management, risk management, and sourcing strategies.
• Strong negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving skills with the ability to make sound, independent decisions.
• Effective communicator with the ability to influence internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and experience working within ERP/MRP systems (SAP R/3 preferred).
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and time management skills.
• Self-motivated and able to manage priorities independently while collaborating effectively in a cross-functional team environment.
• APICS/CPIM certification preferred.