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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Technical Buyer

💰 $75,000 - $110,000

ProcurementSupply ChainManufacturingEngineering

🎯 Role Definition

The Technical Buyer is a pivotal member of our Supply Chain organization, tasked with managing the procurement lifecycle for all technical materials, components, and services. You will collaborate closely with engineering teams to understand intricate specifications and work with a global network of suppliers to ensure quality, cost-effectiveness, and timely delivery, directly impacting our product development and manufacturing success. This role requires a unique blend of commercial acumen and technical aptitude to drive value and mitigate risk in a fast-paced environment.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Junior Buyer / Procurement Coordinator
  • Mechanical or Industrial Engineer
  • Supply Chain Analyst

Advancement To:

  • Senior Technical Buyer
  • Strategic Sourcing Manager
  • Procurement Manager / Category Manager
  • Supply Chain Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Supplier Quality Engineer
  • Project Manager
  • Commodity Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Manage the end-to-end procurement process for a complex portfolio of technical commodities, including custom-fabricated parts, electronic components, and raw materials.
  • Collaborate directly with Engineering and R&D teams to interpret technical drawings, schematics, and Bill of Materials (BOMs) to ensure the procurement of correct and compliant parts.
  • Develop and execute strategic sourcing initiatives to identify, evaluate, and qualify new suppliers for technically complex components, ensuring they meet our stringent quality and performance standards.
  • Lead the Request for Quotation (RFQ), Request for Proposal (RFP), and competitive bidding processes, performing detailed cost and proposal analysis to make data-driven sourcing decisions.
  • Negotiate pricing, lead times, payment terms, and long-term agreements (LTAs) with suppliers to achieve significant cost savings and secure supply chain stability.
  • Issue, manage, and expedite purchase orders (POs) within the company's ERP system, ensuring data accuracy and the timely delivery of all goods and services.
  • Proactively monitor and manage supplier performance, conducting regular business reviews to track key metrics such as on-time delivery, quality performance, and cost competitiveness.
  • Serve as the primary commercial point of contact for resolving complex supplier-related issues, including quality discrepancies, delivery delays, and invoicing disputes.
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on cost reduction, lead time optimization, inventory management, and overall supply chain efficiency.
  • Maintain in-depth knowledge of global market trends, new technologies, and material price fluctuations to inform sourcing strategies and advise internal stakeholders.
  • Work closely with the Quality Assurance department to manage supplier quality, participate in supplier audits, and oversee the non-conforming material (NCM) return process.
  • Manage the procurement of capital equipment (CapEx), custom tooling, and MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Operations) supplies required for manufacturing and engineering projects.
  • Ensure all procurement activities are conducted in strict compliance with company policies, industry regulations, and the highest ethical standards.
  • Develop and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with key strategic suppliers to foster innovation, drive value engineering, and secure preferred partner status.
  • Analyze historical and forecasted spend data to identify opportunities for supplier consolidation, volume leveraging, and process improvements.
  • Actively support New Product Introduction (NPI) projects by sourcing critical components, managing prototype timelines, and ensuring a seamless transition from development to mass production.
  • Review and negotiate supplier contracts, including Master Supply Agreements (MSAs) and Statements of Work (SOWs), in collaboration with the legal and finance departments.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to provide actionable insights into procurement performance and market dynamics.
  • Contribute to the organization's procurement technology strategy and roadmap, including the evaluation and implementation of new tools.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional business units to translate their technical and material needs into clear engineering and procurement requirements.
  • Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within project and product development teams to ensure alignment on procurement deliverables.
  • Mentor junior buyers and procurement specialists, sharing technical knowledge and best practices in strategic sourcing and supplier management.
  • Champion cost-saving projects across the organization by identifying opportunities for material substitution, process changes, or supplier innovation.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • High proficiency with ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite) for managing purchase orders, inventory, and supplier data.
  • Strong ability to read and interpret technical drawings, blueprints, CAD models, and complex engineering specifications.
  • Advanced negotiation and influencing skills with a proven track record of achieving significant cost reductions and favorable contract terms.
  • Expertise in strategic sourcing methodologies, including supplier identification, qualification, competitive bidding, and performance management.
  • In-depth knowledge of supply chain management principles, including inventory control (Kanban, JIT), logistics, and demand planning.
  • Competency in contract management, with a clear understanding of key legal terms and conditions (T&Cs).
  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP, Formulas) for comprehensive data analysis and reporting.
  • Experience in global sourcing and working with an international supply base.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with technical (engineering) and non-technical (finance, legal) stakeholders.
  • Strong analytical and critical-thinking abilities to dissect complex problems and develop innovative solutions in the supply chain.
  • Superior organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail, capable of managing multiple high-priority projects simultaneously.
  • A proactive, self-motivated, and results-oriented mindset with a strong sense of ownership and urgency.
  • Unwavering ethical standards and integrity in all business negotiations and relationships.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field or equivalent professional experience.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, or Business Administration.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Supply Chain Management
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Business Administration

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3-7 years of progressive experience in procurement, purchasing, or supply chain, with a significant portion in a technical, manufacturing, or engineering-driven environment.

Preferred:

Experience purchasing custom-fabricated mechanical parts, electronic components, or other highly engineered commodities is strongly preferred. Professional certifications such as CPSM (Certified Professional in Supply Management) or from APICS (e.g., CPIM, CSCP) are highly desirable.

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