Coficab Americas

Raw Material Buyer

Department: Purchasing / Supply Chain

Reports To: Purchasing Manager / Supply Chain Manager

Location: Garrettsville Ohio

Position Summary

The Raw Material Buyer is responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and purchasing raw materials required for cable manufacturing operations. This role ensures the uninterrupted supply of materials such as copper, aluminum, PVC compounds, XLPE, steel components, packaging materials, and other production inputs while maintaining cost, quality, and delivery objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Procure raw materials and components required for cable manufacturing according to production schedules and inventory levels.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with suppliers to ensure quality, pricing, and delivery performance.
• Negotiate pricing, contracts, payment terms, and lead times to support company objectives.
• Monitor market trends and commodity pricing, particularly for copper, aluminum, and plastics.
• Generate and manage purchase orders and ensure timely order fulfillment.
• Collaborate with Production Planning, Engineering, Quality, and Warehouse departments to support operational needs.
• Analyze inventory levels and forecast material requirements to prevent shortages or excess inventory.
• Resolve supplier issues related to quality, delivery, and invoicing discrepancies.
• Evaluate and qualify new suppliers while maintaining approved supplier lists.
• Maintain accurate purchasing records and supplier performance metrics.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, industry standards, and procurement procedures.
• Support cost reduction initiatives and continuous improvement projects.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, Business Administration, Engineering, Logistics, or a related field preferred.

Experience

• 3+ years of purchasing or procurement experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience in the cable, wire, electrical, automotive, or industrial manufacturing industry preferred.
• Experience purchasing commodities such as copper, aluminum, polymers, resins, or other industrial raw materials is highly desirable.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong negotiation and supplier management skills.
• Knowledge of MRP/ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, Epicor, etc.).
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong understanding of inventory management and supply chain principles.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• English proficiency required; bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Material availability and on-time delivery performance.
• Inventory turns and inventory accuracy.
• Cost savings and cost avoidance achievements.
• Supplier performance and quality metrics.
• Purchase price variance (PPV).
• Reduction of production downtime caused by material shortages.