Surplus Buyer

Our Surplus division specializes in the resale of industrial automation MRO components used across the manufacturing landscape on various ecommerce platforms. The Surplus Buyer position is responsible for prospecting, researching, evaluating, negotiating and buying products for Sigma Surplus inventory. This role may require up to 15% travel to visit manufacturing sites and assess MRO inventory for sale.

You will collect potential leads from various sources including the own Surplus website, customer call-in, our acquisitions and sales departments, trade shows, rigging trips, plant closures, and prospecting. You will then qualify leads to determine the quality of available inventory for sale, viability and logistics of a potential site visit, the negotiation of purchase agreement(s) directly with the seller, assisting with the coordination of inbound shipping, assisting with the physical triage and check-in of goods received, as well as reconciliation pricing to determine final purchase price.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Prospecting calls to potential suppliers to convey the benefits of selling parts and components to Sigma Surplus via either an outright purchase, crate program, or via consignment auction.
• Manage the CRM queue of supplier leads and ensure the leads are contacted in a timely manner.
• Obtain pictures, inventory list, brands, and part numbers to help qualify the lead and further evaluate the contents for sale to determine viable ROI for SIGMA Group.
• Work with suppliers to determine the best method for purchasing based upon budget, timeline, and desired ROI (outright purchase, crate program, consignment auction, merch credit, etc.) 
• Develop pricing sheets to outline specific items to be purchased. Analyze items fall into favorable buy categories and determine which items surplus wants to submit purchase offers.

• Work closely with Pricing Analyst and Sales and Inventory Manager to determine the correct market pricing on specific items outlined for purchase.
• Create purchase estimates and offers (both verbal and written) and submit to suppliers. 
• Negotiate purchase offers with suppliers in order to close the deal and obtain final signature.
• Follow-up on outstanding supplier leads, ensuring their interest in selling idle MRO inventory.
• Work with the Sales & Inventory Manager to finalize purchase offers for approval.    
• Work closely with the Surplus team to ensure triage of incoming items has been completed, check-in of received parts is accurate, and that final payment can be arranged w/ seller.
• Review both third-party and SIGMA hosted auctions to identify potential purchases.
• Participate in local/regional events targeting manufacturers and general industry.

QUALIFICATIONS

• College degree required, preferably in a technical discipline or business.
• Previous buyer experience or technical background is strongly preferred.
• Highly organized, detail oriented, and able to identify discrepancies in data.
• Self motivated and disciplined.
• High computer proficiency skills, including the Google suite of Sheets, Gmail, and other web based applications used in the selling process).
• Demonstrated negotiation and closing experience; preferably in a B2B environment.
• Strong oral and written communication.
• Potential travel is up to 15%

ABOUT OUR COMPANY: 

SIGMA Group is an employee-owned company based in Evansville, Indiana, with 100 team members supporting manufacturers worldwide. Since 2003, we’ve helped companies in the food, beverage, packaging, and consumer goods industries buy, sell, appraise, integrate, and manage production equipment.

Our goal is simple: extend the life of valuable assets and make equipment easier to move, reuse, or resell. By doing so, we help our customers recover value, reduce waste, and keep production moving all while supporting a more sustainable, circular economy.

WHAT WE OFFER

As an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) company, our culture revolves around innovation, creative solutions and the tenacity to see them through. Our casual offices are filled with passionate people who work hard and play hard. We welcome new ideas and offer opportunities for advancement within all teams!

• Competitive compensation
• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance

• Flexible paid time off and paid holidays

• Team-building activities

• 401(k)

• ESOP participation