The Buyer supports Gibson’s manufacturing operations by ensuring the timely and cost effective supply of materials and components used to build our instruments. This role is hands on, highly collaborative, and closely connected to the factory floor.
The Buyer executes purchasing activities for a defined group of suppliers and SKUs while partnering closely with Manufacturing, Category Management, Engineering, Finance, and Quality. While category strategies for major spend areas are led elsewhere, this role requires strong judgment, curiosity, and the ability to think strategically in an environment that does not rely on perfect systems.
This role is well suited for an experienced Buyer who can operate independently and contribute to continuous improvement, as well as for a high potential early career candidate who demonstrates strong analytical capability, initiative, and the ability to grow quickly in a manufacturing environment.
Essential Functions
- Own day to day purchasing activities to support production and factory operations while helping optimize inventory levels
- Manage supplier relationships for an assigned group of vendors, including order placement, follow up, issue resolution, and basic price negotiations
- Make informed buying decisions using historical usage, min max levels, and production inputs in the absence of a fully automated MRP
- Partner with the Materials Manager to analyze inventory performance, challenge existing levels, and support continuous improvement initiatives
- Proactively identify, recommend, and help implement improvements to purchasing, inventory, and material flow processes
- Work closely with Manufacturing and spend time on the production floor to understand material usage, constraints, and improvement opportunities
- Support compliance requirements related to wood sourcing, chain of custody, and applicable domestic and international regulations
- Serve as a key purchasing partner on cross functional teams supporting new product introductions, engineering changes, and supplier transitions
- Maintain accurate purchasing and inventory related data within the ERP system and identify discrepancies or process gaps
- Adherence to the Gibson Cardinal Safety Rules as per the Gibson Playbook for Cardinal Safety Rules and General Safety Rules.
- Obligation to submit safety observations for identified hazards using the safety observation QR code.
- Support the comprehensive Safety Management System (SMS) to ensure a safe work environment, maintain compliance with regulations, and improve our safety processes.
- Other duties as assigned.
Required Skills/Abilities
- Strong analytical and problem solving skills, particularly in a manual or semi manual planning environment
- Advanced proficiency in Excel and comfort working with large data sets to support purchasing and inventory decisions
- Ability to work independently with minimal direction while managing a complex portfolio of suppliers and low volume SKUs
- Sound judgment in making purchasing decisions when data, systems, or processes are imperfect
- Ability to identify risks, tradeoffs, and downstream impacts of purchasing and inventory decisions
- Clear and professional communication skills with internal partners and external suppliers
- Ability to prioritize work, manage competing demands, and maintain focus in a fast paced manufacturing environment
- Comfort working cross functionally and spending time on the factory floor
Required Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree preferred, ideally in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, or a related field
- Typically 3+ years of experience as a Buyer or in a purchasing or manufacturing environment
- Strong early career candidates with relevant internships, leadership experience, or demonstrated capability will be considered
Essential Knowledge
- Basic understanding of purchasing and supply chain principles
- Knowledge of inventory management concepts such as min max levels, reorder points, and material flow
- Familiarity with ERP systems and purchasing transactions
- Understanding of manufacturing environments and how materials support production
- Awareness of supplier compliance concepts, including chain of custody and regulated materials, or willingness to learn
- Working knowledge of supplier performance management and basic cost drivers
- Experience operating within established sourcing strategies and contracts
Personal Qualities
- Improvement minded and confident in questioning existing practices and proposing data driven changes
- Comfortable taking ownership and using sound judgment when systems or processes are imperfect
- Detail oriented while still able to see the broader impact of decisions
- Collaborative and relationship focused, both internally and with suppliers
- Grounded, dependable, and comfortable working close to the product and production teams
- Viewed as a reliable point of contact by suppliers and internal partners
Travel Requirements
- This position is mostly office based, but may involve irregular travel
Physical Demands
- Typical office environment
- Ability to lift up to 25 pounds