Chemical Buyer

We are seeking an experienced and highly organized Chemical Buyer to join our team at IKI Manufacturing in Edgerton, WI. In this critical role, you will be responsible for ensuring the reliable and cost-effective procurement of chemicals and propellants that are essential to our production operations. You will play a key part in maintaining supply continuity, optimizing inventory, and supporting both day-to-day purchasing and strategic sourcing initiatives. Collaborating closely with cross-functional teams—including Supply Chain, Production, Quality, and Account Management—you will help drive operational excellence, manage supplier relationships, and mitigate supply risks. If you have a strong background in chemical procurement and thrive in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, we invite you to apply and contribute to our continued success. Summary: The Chemical Buyer is responsible for the procurement, planning, and supply continuity of chemicals and propellants used in aerosol manufacturing. This role ensures materials are available at the right time, at the right cost, and in accordance with customer specifications and company requirements. The Chemical Buyer manages day-to-day purchasing while supporting strategic sourcing, supplier performance, inventory optimization, cost management, and supply risk mitigation. This position works closely with Supply Chain, Planning, Production, Blending, Warehouse, Quality, Product Development, Costing, and Account Management to ensure reliable material flow across multiple customer programs. Primary Responsibilities: Procurement & Strategic Sourcing Manage purchasing of chemicals and propellants, including solvents, actives, fragrances, surfactants, additives, preservatives, bulk materials, LPG, HFCs, DME, and CO₂. Review MRP, forecasts, production requirements, MOQs, lead times, and inventory to determine purchasing needs. Obtain competitive quotes and negotiate pricing, lead times, MOQs, freight, payment terms, and other commercial requirements. Identify cost-reduction opportunities, alternate suppliers, and sourcing strategies for key or high-risk materials. Material Planning & Production Support Review production schedules and open work orders to identify potential material shortages or delivery risks. Coordinate supplier deliveries and proactively expedite, defer, or adjust orders as business conditions require. Communicate material availability and supply risks to Planning, Production, Blending, Warehouse, Account Management, and Supply Chain leadership. Balance customer demand, supplier lead times, MOQs, safety stock, and inventory levels to minimize production disruption and excess inventory. Support material requirements for product trials, new launches, and changing customer demand. Supplier Management & Risk Develop and maintain strong relationships with chemical, propellant, and other material suppliers. Monitor supplier performance related to quality, delivery, responsiveness, pricing, documentation, and service. Identify single-source, high-risk, capacity-constrained, and critical materials and develop appropriate mitigation strategies. Support supplier qualification, alternate sourcing, and corrective actions in partnership with Supply Chain, Quality, and Product Development. Monitor supplier changes, capacity constraints, transportation issues, and other factors that could impact supply. Cost Management & Client Alignment Ensure purchase prices align with customer cost cards, directed pricing, contracts, and approved commercial requirements. Monitor material spend and pricing changes to identify cost, margin, and customer pricing risks. Support supplier negotiations, RFQs, pricing reviews, and cost-reduction initiatives. Communicate material cost changes and impacts to Costing, Supply Chain, Account Management, and other stakeholders. Perform ongoing market analysis across the chemical and propellant markets, staying informed and ahead of market trends, geopolitical …

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