Job Title: Buyer Reports to: Corporate Purchasing Director Location: On-site at our office in Antigo, WI or Wausau WI Job Summary The Buyer is responsible for procuring products and services to support organizational needs, ensuring the best overall cost, quality, and delivery in accordance with customer requirements and specifications. This role collaborates closely with Senior Buyers, the Purchasing Manager, the Corporate Purchasing Director, and Plant Managers to align procurement activities with company growth strategies. The Buyer conducts all responsibilities with a high degree of professionalism, ethics, and integrity. Supervisory Responsibilities N/A Essential Duties
- Reviews and analyzes MRP to ensure accurate material planning; maintains planning parameters, places purchase orders, and manages inventory levels based on forecasts and customer orders.
- Places purchase orders for stock and non-stock items; manages acknowledgments and expedites orders as needed; maintains up-to-date due dates in the system.
- Conducts vendor bidding and negotiation to ensure competitive pricing and cost control.
- Updates supplier contracts and flags primary suppliers to ensure optimal sourcing and system alignment.
- Assists with new product development efforts, including obtaining quotes, item setup in accordance with naming conventions, and updating costs, contracts, and planning data.
- Sources, audits, and evaluates new suppliers; reviews capacity and risk levels; obtains required documentation such as Certificates of Insurance (COI) and indemnification agreements.
- Resolves quality issues through root cause analysis, manages credit and replacement processes.
- Collaborates with internal teams to review planning, scheduling, customer requirements, product codes, and proper general ledger account coding.
Required Skills and Abilities
- Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships across departments and with external suppliers
- Proven negotiation and analytical skills with a focus on delivering measurable results
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
- Solutions-oriented mindset with strong problem-solving capabilities
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); experience with ERP systems preferred
- Detail-oriented with the ability to explain complex purchasing data clearly and effectively
- Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a cross-functional team
Education and Experience
- Knowledge of purchasing principles and supply chain processes, normally acquired by the completion of a Bachelor's degree in Business or a related field, and/or equivalent work experience.
- Three to five years of relevant purchasing experience, including sourcing, cost control, and inventory management, preferred.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to stand, walk, and move around for extended periods of time.
- Capability to lift and carry objects of various weights up to 50 pounds occasionally.
- Proficiency in using hands, fingers, and arms for tasks such as typing and writing.
- Sufficient visual acuity to read documents and recognize details at close and distant ranges.
- Ability to hear and understand verbal communication.
- Flexibility to bend, stoop, and reach low or high objects.
- Ability to perform physically demanding tasks, such as lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying heavy objects.
- Adaptability to work in varying environmental conditions, such as temperature extremes, noise, dust, or fumes, depending on the nature of the job.
- Willingness to adhere to safety protocols and wear protective gear, including helmets, goggles, gloves, and safety shoes, as required by the job.
Company Culture & Values
- A Commitment to Our Purpose (COMMITTED PEOPLE) - Our mission is to serve and build up our customers, suppliers, communities, and each other, guided by the principles of our Lord Jesus Christ. The commitment to serving and building up is easily seen in those employees that exemplify this value.
- Without Our Customers We Are Nothing (CUSTOMER FIRST) - We realize that we are blessed to serve our customers and without them, our company does not exist. They rely on us for their success and that is a responsibility we cannot take lightly. Our focus must be on serving them with as seamless communication and access to products as possible.
- Kind, Humble and Positive (HUMBLE) - These positive traits do not mean being a doormat to others. But when a person is kind, humble and positive it comes through in their genuine caring for those around them.
- A Desire For Expert (EXPERTS) - Our people want to be seen as the experts in their specific roles. From how we convert a bag efficiently and with highest quality, to knowledge of the product portfolio, to desiring to know more about tax or human resource policy - the desire for expert drives us in each of our roles.
- Intentional Growth - Developing of Self and Others (PERSONAL GROWTH)- Times, tools, and customer expectations change. Our team members are interested in developing themselves and those around them. We know that a stronger team is one that makes our customers and our fellow employees happier.
- Strong Work Ethic (HARD WORKERS) - The commitment to serve those around us is honorable and we respond to this by putting our strongest effort into that purpose.
- High Expectations of Self and Others (HIGH EXPECTATIONS) - We expect ourselves, and those around us, to put in our best effort. When others struggle, we help them align towards perfection. When we struggle, we are open and humble to hear it and course-correct accordingly.
- If It Isn't Safe, We Don't Do It (SAFETY) - All people deserve to return home to their loved ones safely and work in an environment where they can best execute their tasks safely. When choosing between safety and profit, safety and efficiency, safety and feelings, safety, and x - we choose safety.
Travel Requirements This position requires occasional overnight travel and occasional travel within the workday. Overnight travel is expected approximately once per month. The duration of each trip will vary based on the travel location. Driver Qualification The ability to drive a company owned/leased vehicle or personal vehicle on behalf of the company is required. Inclusion in the company's driver qualification program is required to drive a company owned/leased vehicle or personal vehicle. Becoming a qualified driver includes:
- Agree to the company driving policies that apply to company owned/leased vehicle or personal vehicle as applicable.
- Possess and maintain a valid driver license and be a minimum of 21 years of age.
- Maintain an acceptable driving record, as evidenced by completion of a baseline motor vehicle record check and ongoing monitoring.
- When driving a personal vehicle on behalf of the company, must provide a copy of the declaration page from personal auto insurance that shows the policy dates and minimum coverage amounts ($300,000 bodily injury per accident/$100,000 property damage per accident or if driving less than 5 hours/200 miles a year $50,000 bodily injury per accident/$10,000 property damage per accident or the state minimum, whichever is more). This requirement is initially and then annually thereafter.
This job description is intended as a general outline of the primary responsibilities of the position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, or activities that may be required. The employer reserves the right to modify, add, or remove any responsibilities, duties, or activities as deemed necessary with or without notice. Volm Companies is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and other protected characteristics. If you require reasonable accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job, please inform us and we will work with you to address your needs. Benefits As a family-owned and operated company, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you and your family. We offer a strong foundation of benefits, including access to medical, dental, and vision coverage, an HSA employer contribution, and a 401k with profit sharing to secure your future. To support your overall well-being and family life, we offer additional benefits beyond the core package, such as paid vacation, wellness stipends, childcare reimbursement assistance, and much more. We are committed to continuously enhancing our benefits to meet the evolving needs of our team.