JUNIOR BUYER

Job Description

Job Description

Job Summary : The Junior Buyer provides operational support for the purchasing and material planning of hardwood lumber, sheet goods, and raw materials, while simultaneously managing the procurement of office supplies and maintenance-related requests. This role is a critical link in the supply chain, ensuring that the production floor has the specialized wood products required for cabinet manufacturing and that the facility remains fully operational. The Junior Buyer maintains inventory reliability, aligns with corporate purchasing standards, and supports lean manufacturing by minimizing waste and optimizing supply levels.

Essential Functions :

• Process, communicate, and maintain safety stock levels for hardwood lumber and sheet goods based on established production requirements and safety stock levels.
• Integrates with manufacturing team members to support and understand material usage, tolerances, and best yield factors (to include waste factors)
• Ensures material compliance by cross-referencing internal material specifications against deliveries.
• Supports the end-to-end quotation process for non-stock items, ensuring all vendor bids meet project specifications and budget constraints.
• Monitors the receiving process and manages vendor returns to maintain 100% inventory accuracy and ensure seamless material flow for the production team. Including Three-Way Match (Purchase Order, Receiving Report, and Invoice).
• Under the supervision of the Western Purchasing Manager, identify and vet potential suppliers, evaluating them against established criteria for reliability, service, and material grade consistency.
• Assist in the Supplier Corrective Action (SCAR) process by documenting non-conformances and coordinating with vendors to ensure timely resolutions when quality or service standards are not met.
• Provide analytical support for the negotiation of pricing, contracts, and delivery terms by preparing competitive bid comparisons and market research.
• Upholds departmental standards for purchases to include POs, purchasing standards (vendor sourcing), and following documented procedures.
• Leads, conducts, and supports physical inventory count as required, including off-cycle counts, inventory audits, and obsolete inventory management.
• Sources and supports ante evaluation of current and new suppliers for reliability, service, grade consistency, and quality.
• Participates in all weekly L10 meetings, quarterly sessions, and 1 : 1 update to ensure departmental alignment.
• Engages in continuous improvement, including Two Second Lean (2SL), with all team member levels.
• Travels as required to mill shops, trade shows, etc.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skill and Experience :