Buyer Job Title: Buyer Supervisor: Director of Operations Department: Purchasing Revision Date: 10/05/2026 Overtime: Non-Exempt Schedule/Shift: 7:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. M-F Position Overview The Buyer is responsible for managing the complete purchasing process for assigned product lines and vendor partners, ensuring the timely procurement of inventory, direct-order materials, and project-specific purchases while maintaining optimal inventory levels, maximizing supplier performance, and supporting company profitability. The Buyer maintains responsibility within the Purchasing Department and is assigned specific manufacturers, vendors, and product categories. Buyers are responsible for the day-to-day operational relationship with assigned suppliers, purchasing execution, forecasting, inventory optimization, replenishment planning, and continuous improvement initiatives. The Buyer works closely with the Director of Operations, Sales, Warehouse, Accounting, Branch Managers, and Operations Leadership to ensure exceptional customer service, efficient inventory management, and alignment with Wayne Pipe & Supply's operational and financial objectives. Duties & Responsibilities Purchasing & Inventory Management Manage replenishment purchasing for assigned product lines using Prophet 21 recommendations, inventory analysis, customer demand, supplier lead times, and established purchasing strategies. Purchase stock, directs, specials, and project-related materials while ensuring purchase orders are accurate and released promptly. Monitor inventory availability, shortages, fill rates, turns, aging, excess inventory, dead stock, and overall inventory investment. Maintain and recommend adjustments to stock levels, purchasing parameters, replenishment quantities, and inventory forecasts. Identify inventory-balancing opportunities, including transfers between branch locations. Evaluate alternate suppliers, manufacturers, and product substitutions to reduce supply disruptions and meet customer commitments. Maintain accurate and complete purchasing records in Prophet 21. Forecasting & Demand Planning Analyze historical sales, purchasing trends, customer buying patterns, seasonal fluctuations, and business conditions to forecast inventory requirements. Monitor forecast accuracy and adjust purchasing quantities and inventory investment recommendations accordingly. Identify supply chain risks and support annual inventory-planning initiatives. Recommend strategies to improve inventory availability while reducing excess and obsolete inventory. Supplier Coordination Serve as the primary day-to-day operational contact for assigned suppliers and maintain productive working relationships. Monitor supplier performance, responsiveness, and lead times and assist with supplier performance reviews and scorecards. Resolve routine supplier, availability, substitution, and delivery issues. Provide supplier performance feedback and escalate pricing, contracts, rebates, and strategic supplier matters to the Director of Operations. Project & Direct-Order Purchasing Coordinate purchasing activities, release schedules, material availability, and milestones for customer projects and direct orders. Partner with Sales to understand project requirements, customer schedules, and delivery commitments. Identify and resolve purchasing or supply issues that could affect project timelines or customer deliveries. Cross-Functional Collaboration Collaborate with Sales, Warehouse Operations, Accounting, Branch Managers, and the Director of Operations to address customer demand, inventory planning, material availability, and purchasing discrepancies. Work closely with the Senior Buyers, Purchasing & Logistics Specialist, Purchasing & Expediting Specialist, and RMA Specialist to support effective department operations. Participate in cross-functional initiatives that improve purchasing, inventory management, and customer service. Continuous Improvement & Reporting Analyze purchasing and…