Pelsue: Specialty Vehicles & Trailers is hiring: Buyer / Procurement Specialist

Salary Range: $60,000 - 80,000/annually (Exempt Position)

Who We Are

Pelsue is an industry leader in manufacturing worker safety products and vehicles for the telephone, utility, and satellite communications industries. We recently moved to a new facility in Aurora, CO. Multiple production areas in the factory include a metal fabrication shop, trailer and van manufacturing flow lines, specialty vehicle build stations, safety product lines, and an in-house tent shop.

Who You Are  

A Buyer at Pelsue is a strategic thinker, detail-oriented professional, and strong negotiator who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. You understand the delicate balance of supply and demand, ensuring materials are available when needed without excess inventory. In this role, you collaborate closely with Supply Chain leadership and other cross-functional teams such as Logistics, Planning, Production, and Finance to maintain strong supplier relationships, stable lead times, and cost efficiency. You take ownership of day-to-day purchasing execution, ensuring purchase orders are placed accurately, acknowledged by suppliers, and delivered on time to support production priorities. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities  

Commodity Procurement & Cost Optimization  

• Manage procurement of assigned commodities, ensuring a stable supply while controlling costs and quality. 
• Negotiate pricing, delivery terms, and service level agreements with suppliers. 
• Proactively identify opportunities for cost savings or process improvements. 
• Create, release, and maintain purchase orders in the ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system, ensuring accuracy of pricing, lead times, terms, and order policies (MOQ, pack quantity, and freight terms where applicable). 
• Drive supplier order acknowledgements and confirm promise dates; actively manage expedites and de-expedites based on production priorities. 

Supplier Management & Performance  

• Build and maintain relationships with key suppliers; monitor performance for on-time delivery, quality, and cost. 
• Work with the Supply Chain Manager and cross-functional teams to resolve supplier issues or address risks (e.g., lead-time variability, quality concerns). 
• Conduct market research to find optimal suppliers, evaluating factors such as capacity, reliability, and total landed cost. 
• Own shortage response for assigned commodities by coordinating recovery plans with suppliers and internal teams (Planning, Production, Logistics, Quality) to protect build schedules. 
• Coordinate part substitutions or alternate sourcing with Engineering and Quality when supply constraints or quality issues require a change. 

Inventory & Scheduling Alignment  

• Collaborate with production planners and material handlers to streamline material flow. 
• Ensure forecasts and purchase orders are aligned to prevent excess inventory or stock-outs. 
• Use data-driven analysis (e.g., usage rates, lead times) to recommend safety stock levels. 
• Action MRP (Material Requirements Planning) signals for assigned items, including reschedules, cancels, and new demand, while maintaining discipline around inventory targets. 
• Maintain item and supplier master data required for effective purchasing and planning (lead times, MOQ, order multiples, approved sources) in alignment with Supply Chain and Planning. 

Mentorship & Team Support  

• Train and support Junior Buyers on day-to-day purchasing activities and best practices. 
• Contribute to cross-functional projects with Planning, Logistics, and Operations to improve the supply chain process. 
• Partner with Accounting / AP (Accounts Payable) to resolve invoice discrepancies and price variances, including credits, returns, and supplier disputes. 

Competencies  

Negotiation & Communication:  Skilled at negotiating terms, pricing, and contracts while maintaining professional supplier relationships. 

Analytical & Detail-Oriented:  Ability to interpret data from ERP/MRP systems, identify trends, and make informed procurement decisions. 

Collaboration:  Works closely with Supply Chain, Planning, Logistics, and other teams to achieve company objectives. 

Strategic Thinking:  Identifies long-term procurement opportunities, develops robust sourcing strategies, and mitigates risks. 

Core Values:  Upholds Trust in supplier relationships, exhibits Ownership in procurement decisions, demonstrates Discipline in financial responsibility, and aligns with Pelsue’s overall supply chain objectives. 

Execution Rigor:  Maintains tight follow-through on acknowledgements, promise dates, expedites, and issue resolution to protect production flow. 

Systems Discipline:  Maintains accurate purchasing and planning parameters (lead times, MOQ, order multiples) to enable reliable MRP outputs. 

Work Environment  

Primarily in an office environment with regular engagement on the shop floor and warehouse areas to address material or quality issues. 

Some exposure to production noise and movement of equipment during supplier visits or floor inspections. 

Physical Demands  

Primarily sedentary with extensive use of a computer. 

Occasional standing, walking, or lifting items up to 25 lbs. when handling samples or inventory checks. 

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work  

Full-time, in-person position. 

Standard days and hours: Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

Overtime may be required to meet urgent purchasing needs or deadlines.  

Travel  

Occasional local travel for supplier visits or training. 

Required Education and Experience  

Education:  

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, or related field preferred (or equivalent experience may apply). 

Experience:  

3–5 years of purchasing experience with negotiations and supplier management. 

Computer Skills  

Proficiency in MRP/ERP systems (e.g., MS Business Central, Oracle, or equivalent) and MS Office (especially Excel). 

Certifications  

APICS, ISM (CPSM), or related certification  a plus . 

Benefits Offered

Our benefits package includes medical coverage, life and disability insurance, dental, vision, and supplemental insurance on the 1st of the month after 30 days of employment; personal time off and educational assistance; and a 401(k) with company match on the 1st of the month following 90 days of employment.