AZ - Regional Buyer

About the role

The Regional Buyer at this SunSource company is responsible for driving the procurement and inventory strategy for a specific geographic footprint. This role owns the end-to-end purchasing lifecycle for assigned branches, ensuring product availability aligns with sales demand. The hire will exercise strong judgment to analyze inventory performance and execute timely purchase decisions. They will act as a key liaison between vendors, sales teams, and operations to streamline material flow. Success in this position requires a proactive approach to identifying cost savings and mitigating supply chain risks. The buyer will leverage data and trend analysis to optimize stock levels and reduce excess inventory. This position directly impacts the financial health of the region through disciplined purchasing and forecasting accuracy. The role fosters continuous improvement within the supply chain processes of the organization.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Drive strategic procurement initiatives by analyzing branch performance metrics to adjust order patterns.
• Execute purchase order creation and follow-up while monitoring order acknowledgement and lead times.
• Champion inventory optimization by scrutinizing slow-moving and non-moving items for potential action.
• Manage vendor relationships through rigorous negotiation of pricing, terms, and delivery schedules.
• Synthesize insights from Recommended Order Reports to validate order quantities and product mix.
• Conduct weekly Line Buy Maintenance follow-up to ensure product availability and resolve gaps.
• Reconcile Accounts Payable and Purchase Order reports to verify accuracy and resolve discrepancies.
• Monitor purchase order variances and implement corrective actions to maintain budget integrity.
• Support the Sales Department by ensuring inventory alignment with forecasted demand and market needs.
• Perform expediting duties and manage backorders to minimize disruptions in the supply chain.
• Utilize advanced sourcing techniques to identify alternative suppliers and improve total cost of ownership.
• Maintain compliance with company policies while adhering to strict documentation standards.
• Analyze transfer activity between branches to optimize regional inventory positioning.
• Leverage Microsoft Office suite to generate reports and maintain accurate financial records.
• Contribute to continuous improvement projects that enhance the efficiency of the purchasing function.

Requirements

• Possess 3-5 years of Purchasing experience or hold a college degree in Supply Chain Management with relevant internship.
• Demonstrate knowledge of product or plastics industry practices as a significant advantage.
• Exhibit proficiency with computerized purchasing systems to manage transactions and data.
• Operate with extreme attention to detail and maintain high levels of organization in all tasks.
• Apply strong negotiating expertise to secure favorable agreements with suppliers.
• Communicate effectively with vendors and internal stakeholders including Warehouse, Sales, and Management.
• Prioritize workload efficiently and make sound decisions under pressure with limited supervision.
• Utilize strong interpersonal skills to build trust and collaboration across departments.
• Hold a College degree or possess some college education including an AA Degree.
• Master complex mathematical calculations to ensure pricing accuracy and inventory valuation.
• Demonstrate comprehensive experience using the Microsoft Office suite and related computer software.

Practical notes

The Regional Buyer position operates within the standard corporate framework of the organization, requiring adherence to established policies and procedures. While the specific hours of operation are not detailed in the source material, the role is expected to align with standard business hours to support interdepartmental collaboration and vendor interactions. Travel requirements are not specified; however, the role is based in Tempe, Arizona, and assumes local engagement with vendors and internal teams. No visa sponsorship information is provided in the source documentation, indicating that this role is intended for candidates who are already authorized to work in the United States. The absence of explicit deadlines in the source material suggests that the hiring process will proceed on an as-needed basis to fill the role and support operational demands. Success in this role will be measured by the buyer's ability to maintain optimal inventory turns, reduce costs, and support the sales objectives of the regional branches. The candidate must be prepared to manage multiple priorities simultaneously while maintaining a high standard of accuracy. This position represents a critical function in the supply chain, directly influencing the company's ability to serve its diverse customer base efficiently.