BUYER ANALYST JOB DESCRIPTION

A Buyer Analyst handles the transactional and operational core of procurement: turning sourcing decisions into executed purchase orders, confirmed lead times, and compliant supplier records. Purchase orders stall, deliveries slip, and cost targets drift when no one owns this execution layer. The role sits within the supply chain or sourcing function, coordinating across internal stakeholders and external vendors to keep inbound material moving on time and within budget. SOX-compliant reporting and continuous improvement disciplines shape how the work is measured day to day.

As the Buyer Analyst, you manage the end-to-end purchase order process across assigned commodities, regions, or countries, ensuring pricing accuracy, vendor compliance, and on-time delivery. You operate within the sourcing or supply chain team, partnering with functional groups and suppliers to resolve exceptions and sustain procurement performance against defined cost and delivery targets.

Career Impact: Experience managing SOX-controlled procurement processes and global vendor coordination builds a specialist profile that is valued across manufacturing, logistics, and multinational supply chains.

Business Impact: The Buyer Analyst's day-to-day execution directly determines whether inbound freight arrives on schedule and whether cost objectives hold across commodity categories.

Growth Opportunity: Consistent performance in regional buying and compliance management opens pathways toward Senior Buyer, Procurement Lead, or Supply Chain Analyst roles with broader commodity or geographic scope.

• Manage the purchase order process from requisition through confirmed delivery across assigned commodities or regions.
• Maintain accurate pricing records in the procurement system to support cost tracking and contract compliance.
• Coordinate with vendors on delivery schedules and follow through on outstanding orders to prevent supply disruptions.
• Resolve purchasing exceptions and respond to inquiries from suppliers and internal stakeholders within defined service levels.
• Develop and maintain documented work procedures and instructions for inbound freight and procurement activities.
• Conduct regular purchasing reporting to support supply chain visibility and performance review.
• Ensure adherence to internal source-to-pay controls and regulatory compliance requirements including SOX standards.
• Support company objectives across quality, delivery, inventory, and cost by placing orders for designated commodities on schedule.

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Finance, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• Two or more years of transactional purchasing or sourcing experience, with exposure to global or multi-region procurement.
• Knowledge of procurement compliance frameworks including source-to-pay business rules and internal audit controls.
• Understanding of global distribution practices and inbound freight coordination across international supply lanes.
• Proficiency in data analysis, procurement reporting, and problem-solving within a structured purchasing environment.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple open orders simultaneously.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for supplier coordination and internal stakeholder engagement.

• APICS, ISM, or equivalent accredited supply chain certification.
• Experience working within ERP platforms for procurement transaction management and order tracking.
• Proficiency in English and one additional language, particularly for roles covering non-English-speaking supplier or vendor markets.
• Familiarity with continuous improvement methodologies applied to purchasing workflows or vendor performance management.

• Purchase order cycle time, measuring how efficiently orders move from requisition to confirmed delivery.
• On-time delivery rate across managed vendors, reflecting vendor coordination and follow-through.
• Pricing accuracy rate in the procurement system, tracking discrepancies against contracted terms.
• Exception resolution turnaround, measuring how quickly purchasing issues are identified and closed.
• Compliance adherence rate against internal source-to-pay controls and SOX audit requirements.
• Typical tools: ERP platforms for order management (commonly SAP or Oracle); productivity suites for reporting and documentation.

• Base Salary Range: $50,000 to $72,000 annually depending on experience and region.
• Bonus: Annual performance bonus, typically 5 to 8 percent of base salary.
• Equity: Equity is not standard for this level in most manufacturing or supply chain organizations.
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage standard across most employers in this sector.
• PTO: 15 to 20 days annually, plus standard federal holidays.
• Common Perks: Tuition reimbursement for supply chain certifications, employee assistance programs, and hybrid work options where operational needs permit.

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Candidates for this position are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Successful candidates may be subject to a background check as a condition of employment. Reasonable accommodations are available to applicants and employees with disabilities upon request. All applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.

The Buyer Analyst owns end-to-end supplier negotiations and NSN pricing management for designated contracts, maintaining tiered supplier databases and resolving non-conformance issues to ensure contract compliance. Working closely with Client Support Representatives and Business Development teams, the Buyer Analyst delivers cost savings and technical data accuracy that directly sustain contract performance and supply continuity.

Key Responsibilities

Negotiate and maintain best pricing for new and recurring items within designated contracts.

Cultivate relationships with tiered suppliers and establish supplier databases per item.

Manage NSN pricing entries by expiration dates using Gateway and EnterpriseOne systems.

Coordinate with suppliers weekly to confirm pricing and lead times.

Oversee resolution of contract non-conformance issues and notify relevant representatives of quality concerns.

Manage technical data, drawings, and POT data requirements for NSN-based contracts.

Initiate and maintain blanket purchase order agreements based on negotiated supplier quotes.

Assist with special pricing projects such as market baskets for Business Development proposals.

Create and maintain work instructions and process maps for the Buyer Analyst role.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in business, purchasing, or a related field.

Five years of purchasing experience, with emphasis in automotive purchasing preferred.

Five years of experience working within an automated procurement system.

Two years of experience working with government contracts preferred.

Proven cost savings record in supplier negotiations.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office products including Excel, Word, and Outlook.

Proficiency in JDEdwards EnterpriseOne software highly preferred.

Strong attention to detail with the ability to read and interpret technical data and drawings.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Embedded within the sourcing organization, the Buyer Analyst delivers transactional purchasing activities across assigned countries and regions, managing the purchase order process from initiation through vendor coordination and SOX-compliant reporting. Working closely with suppliers and internal stakeholders, the Buyer Analyst advances procurement accuracy and service quality across geographically diverse sourcing areas.

Core Functions

• Manage the purchase order process from initiation to completion.
• Maintain accurate price information in the procurement system.
• Follow through on purchase order deliveries and coordinate with vendors.
• Conduct purchasing reporting activities on a regular basis.
• Resolve simple to moderate exceptions and handle inquiries from suppliers and stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with internal source-to-pay business rules and SOX controls.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Finance, or a related field.
• One to two years of experience in sourcing or purchasing transactional activities.
• Knowledge of sourcing principles and continuous improvement practices.
• Working knowledge of MS Office tools.
• Knowledge of ERP and SAP systems, sourcing tools, and applications preferred.
• Proficient in research, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong client service orientation with a structured approach to workload planning.
• Proficiency in English and Mandarin, with reading and writing skills required and speaking and listening skills preferred.

Reporting to the Supply Chain Manager, the Buyer Analyst manages inventory levels, purchasing, and demand planning for Trinity Health Distribution Centers to maintain exemplary service levels to member organizations. Partnering with suppliers, Contract Analysts, and the 3PL network, the Buyer Analyst shapes procurement outcomes that protect patient care quality and minimize total cost of ownership across a large, geographically dispersed health system.

Primary Duties

• Maintain group purchasing compliance by maximizing use of negotiated purchasing agreements and contracts.
• Prepare and process purchase orders, contact vendors, schedule deliveries, and follow up to ensure timely fulfillment.
• Periodically review forecasted demand, set optimal inventory levels, and manage day-to-day supplier interactions.
• Resolve accounts payable, supply quality, receiving, and shipping discrepancies as they arise.
• Process returns, recalls, and coordinate refund activities with suppliers.
• Confirm contractual pricing and notify Contract Analysts of any pricing discrepancies.
• Provide supplier performance feedback and data to relevant stakeholders as needed.
• Communicate potential supply concerns that may impact customer operations, patient care, or supplier data integrity.
• Maintain assigned KPIs, update records, and run reports as needed.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in business, purchasing, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• APICS certification preferred.
• Two or more years of experience as a Purchasing Buyer, inventory planner, or inventory analyst, with healthcare experience preferred.
• Knowledge of supply chain principles, inventory control methods, and Economic Order Quantity models.
• Comprehensive knowledge of data analysis, pricing, product types, and market trends.
• Proficient in Excel and MS Office with strong data analysis capabilities.
• Strong problem-solving, negotiation, and verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in a large, geographically dispersed organization.

Sitting at the intersection of procurement and global logistics, the Buyer Analyst leads inbound freight coordination and commodity ordering to meet the company's quality, delivery, inventory, and cost objectives. Operating across multiple functional groups and product line projects, the Buyer Analyst strengthens supply chain performance by maintaining compliant inbound traffic procedures and serving as the materials group's focal representative.

Duties

• Manage all inbound traffic in support of the company's global supply chain management strategy.
• Proactively communicate with multiple functional groups and interact with suppliers as needed.
• Develop, implement, and maintain work procedures and instructions for inbound freight movement.
• Place orders for designated commodities and support company objectives in quality, delivery, inventory, and cost.
• Serve as a focal point representing the materials group in product line projects.

Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain, or a technical field.
• APICS, ISM, or accredited supply chain organization certification highly preferred.
• Knowledge of the transportation industry and global distribution practices.
• Knowledge of Oracle or other business systems and Microsoft Office required.
• Excellent negotiation, organization, and time management skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.