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Buyer, Indirect Spend Purchasing Manager - MRO

The Buyer, Indirect Spend Purchasing Manager - MRO is responsible for leading O.C. Tanner's Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) buying function, ensuring uninterrupted support for Manufacturing, Engineering, Distribution, Facilities, and Supply Room operations. This role owns MRO procurement strategy, supplier management, inventory planning, and SAP process governance for indirect materials, supplies, and services critical to production continuity and operational efficiency.

The Buyer, Indirect Spend Purchasing Manager reports to the Vice President of Distribution+. The position has responsibility for all manufacturing supplies, packaging, and raw materials used in the production of awards. The Buyer sources new products, sets up new suppliers, contributes to corporate strategic initiatives, and drives the overall operation of Indirect Spend for OC Tanner. The Buyer leads a team of individual contributors to execute all purchasing tasks such as placing orders, expediting and follow-up. The Buyer works daily with suppliers to achieve the best price, quality, and delivery of products and services, resolving payment issues as they arise. This position will work closely with Facilities Management, Engineering, Manufacturing R&D, The Refinery, and Supply Chain Leadership and all areas of the company to research, negotiate, and buy Capital purchases and large dollar MRO or general expenses.

The Manager partners closely with cross-functional stakeholders to standardize processes, reduce indirect spend variability, improve inventory accuracy, and drive continuous improvement across MRO purchasing and planning activities including:

• Continuity of MRO supply supporting manufacturing and operations.
• Improved inventory accuracy, turns, and planning effectiveness.
• Reduction in indirect spend tickets and purchasing exceptions.
• Supplier performance, cost savings, and compliance improvements.
• Team capability, engagement, and adherence to standard work.

Duties:

• MRO Procurement & Buying Leadership
• Own end-to-end MRO buying strategy, including sourcing, purchasing, and ongoing supplier management for indirect materials and services.
• Ensure availability of critical MRO items supporting Manufacturing, Engineering, Distribution, Facilities, and Supply Room operations.
• Lead sourcing decisions to balance cost, service level, quality, and supply continuity.
• Inventory Planning & SAP Governance
• Oversee inventory planning strategies (ROP, safety stock, automated planning) for MRO items using SAP and established planning processes.
• Ensure accurate material master data, purchasing groups, supplier records, and planning parameters are maintained in SAP.
• Partner with Supply Chain Systems and SAP support teams to improve automation, reporting, and process reliability.
• Supplier Management & Performance
• Own supplier relationships for MRO categories, including onboarding, performance tracking, compliance, and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with Legal, Finance, Contracts, and InfoSec on supplier approvals and contract adherence.
• Lead supplier performance reviews and cost saving initiatives aligned with O.C. Tanner procurement standards.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Act as the primary MRO procurement partner for Manufacturing, Engineering, Product Development, Distribution, and Facilities teams.
• Translate operational needs into scalable purchasing and inventory solutions.
• Support resolution of receiving, invoice, and supply continuity issues across the value stream.
• People Leadership & Development
• Lead, coach, and develop MRO buyers and analysts; set clear expectations and accountability.
• Ensure training plans, standard work, and onboarding processes are executed consistently across the team.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, partnership, and operational discipline.
• Learn and Operate within Arbinger Principle/Shingo Model
• Process Improvement & Standard Work
• Own and evolve MRO standard work, SPLs, and documented purchasing processes in Confluence.
• Drive improvements that reduce indirect spend tickets, improve part setup quality, and increase planning effectiveness.
• Partner with Continuous Improvement and Kaizen teams to simplify workflows and reduce manual intervention.
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements (KSAs):

• Strong understanding of MRO procurement, inventory planning, and indirect spend management.
• Proven experience with ERP systems (SAP preferred) and procurement data analysis.
• Ability to influence cross functional partners and lead through collaboration.
• Strong problem-solving, prioritization, and decision making skills in a fast paced environment.
• Commitment to process discipline, financial stewardship, and operational excellence.

Experience & Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5-7+ years of progressive experience in purchasing, procurement, or supply chain roles.
• Prior experience leading buyers or analysts strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting manufacturing or distribution environments is a plus

Benefits:

• Full Medical and Dental Benefits Effective on Day 1
• 4 Weeks PTO
• 11 Paid Holidays
• Annual Bonus
• Onsite Health Clinic, Gym and Subsidized Cafe
• Generous 401k Match + Profit Sharing
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Maternity and Paternity Leave
• Wellness Program
• Dependent Scholarship Program

Schedule:

• Onsite Monday - Friday