Strategic Buyer / Procurement Specialist

Job Overview Hepacart, Inc. is looking for a Strategic Buyer who owns procurement of our materials and components — and who is just as comfortable pitching in on the manufacturing floor when production needs a hand. About 80–90% of your time goes to strategic procurement and purchasing: building supplier relationships, negotiating cost and lead times, and keeping materials flowing to meet production schedules. The rest is hands-on floor support during peak demand, staffing gaps or new product launches. That time on the floor makes you a better buyer: you see how parts are used, where quality issues start and what a late shipment really costs. We're a fast-moving company, so your work won't sit in a silo. You'll work directly with leadership, see your decisions play out on the floor within days, and have room to shape how purchasing is done here. There are no layers of approval and no rigid lane to stay in — if you see a better way, you can make it happen. This role suits someone who likes both the spreadsheet and the shop floor and doesn't think any job is beneath them. Strategic sourcing and procurement Develop and run sourcing strategies for key commodities, such as sheet metal, fabricated parts, filtration media, casters, fasteners, electrical components and packaging Find, qualify and onboard new suppliers; keep a backup source for critical parts Negotiate pricing, payment terms, lead times and supply agreements to lower total cost of ownership Issue and manage purchase orders in the ERP/MRP system, from requisition through receipt and invoice match Work with production planning to align buying with forecasts, schedules and inventory targets Track and report supplier performance: on-time delivery, quality, cost and responsiveness Monitor market trends, tariffs and commodity prices; flag supply risks early with a mitigation plan Partner with engineering on new product introductions, cost reductions and part substitutions Resolve supplier issues, including shortages, late shipments, nonconforming material and returns Manufacturing floor support (as needed) Assist with assembly, kitting, packaging or shipping and receiving during peak periods or staffing gaps Help expedite and stage critical materials directly to the line Support cycle counts and physical inventory Follow all safety procedures, work instructions and quality standards while on the floor Bring floor insights back to purchasing to improve part specs, packaging and supplier quality Qualifications Required Purchasing, procurement or sourcing experience in a manufacturing environment (3-5 years preferred) Proven record of negotiating with suppliers and delivering measurable cost savings Hands-on experience with an ERP/MRP system for purchase orders and inventory Strong Excel skills; comfortable building cost comparisons and supplier scorecards Ability to read basic engineering drawings, bills of materials and part specs Willingness to work on the manufacturing floor when needed, including assembly and material handling Clear communicator who works well with suppliers, engineers, planners and production staff Preferred Bachelor's degree in supply chain, business, engineering or a related field APICS/ASCM (CPIM or CSCP) or ISM (CPSM) certification Experience with metal fabrication, HVAC, filtration or healthcare-related products Prior production, assembly or warehouse experience Familiarity with lean manufacturing, kanban or just-in-time purchasing Forklift certification, or willingness to obtain it Physical requirements and work environment The role splits between an office setting and a manufacturing floor with noise, moving equipment and changing temperatures. When on the floor, you will: Stand and walk for extended periods Lift, carry or move up to [50] lbs with or without assistance Bend, reach, kneel and use hand tools or light power tools Wear required PPE, such as safety glasses, steel-toe shoes and hearing protection Reasonable accommodatio…

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