Buyer in Portland, Oregon - #73257 | VanderHouwen

Description

Job Id: 73257

Buyer
Our client is seeking a Materials Buyer with manufacturing experience to support day-to-day purchasing activities and help ensure the materials, components, and services needed for production are available when needed. The ideal candidate brings hands-on materials purchasing experience in a manufacturing environment, along with strong follow-through, attention to detail, and a proactive approach to solving problems. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is curious, adaptable, and eager to learn while working closely with suppliers and teams across the organization.

This role is on-site in Portland, Oregon.

Buyer Responsibilities

• Manage purchasing activities and purchase orders for assigned materials, products, and services, ensuring accuracy and timely delivery.
• Coordinate closely with suppliers to track orders, address delays or shortages, resolve issues, and identify alternative solutions when needed.
• Partner with Planning, Engineering, Production, Accounting, and other internal teams to understand purchasing requirements, priorities, and changing business needs.
• Identify and evaluate suppliers based on pricing, availability, quality, service, and overall ability to meet operational requirements.
• Negotiate pricing, lead times, terms, and other purchasing considerations while maintaining productive supplier relationships.
• Monitor open orders and proactively follow through on commitments, discrepancies, delivery concerns, and other issues through resolution.
• Respond effectively to changing priorities, urgent purchasing needs, supplier challenges, and unexpected production requirements.
• Maintain accurate purchase orders, supplier information, purchasing records, and related documentation.
• Identify opportunities to improve purchasing processes, supplier performance, cost effectiveness, and overall efficiency.
• Support broader procurement and supply chain initiatives while contributing to a collaborative, team-oriented environment.

Buyer Qualifications

• 3–5 years of hands-on purchasing experience as a Materials Buyer, Buyer, Purchasing Agent, Procurement Specialist, or similar role within a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple purchase orders, suppliers, deadlines, and follow-up activities with strong attention to detail.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills with the ability to work effectively with suppliers and cross-functional internal teams.
• Proactive problem-solving skills with a willingness to investigate issues, identify alternatives, take ownership, and follow through to resolution.
• Adaptable and organized approach with the ability to manage changing priorities, urgent requests, and unexpected supply or delivery challenges.
• Strong initiative, curiosity, and willingness to learn new products, processes, systems, and industry-specific requirements.
• Working knowledge of purchasing, supplier management, negotiation, materials management, and general supply chain practices.
• Proficiency with purchasing or enterprise systems and Microsoft Office applications.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Procurement, or a related field is preferred but not required.
• Familiarity with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) requirements is preferred but not required.

Salary: $65K–$70K/year. (DOE)

Benefits
Benefits are available to eligible full-time employees and include coverage for medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short and long term disability, and matching 401k.

Meet VanderHouwen
What kind of recruiter do you see yourself working with? One who prioritizes your best interest, no matter what? VanderHouwen does, and we’re in it for the long game! Our recruiters focus on YOU, building meaningful, long-term relationships while developing a deep understanding of companies’ staffing needs and workplace cultures. This approach helps us find an ideal job match that aligns with your unique career aspirations and goals.

VanderHouwen is an award-winning, Women & Diversity-Owned, WBENC certified professional staffing firm. Founded in 1987, VanderHouwen places experienced professionals across the nation! Our recruitment teams specialize in either Technology and IT, Engineering, Human Resources, or Accounting and Finance career markets. Partner with us to land your next exciting career!

VanderHouwen is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-Verify. VanderHouwen does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state, or federal civil rights laws.