Indirect Purchasing Buyer

About Us:

Founded in 1966, Niterra North America, Inc. (formerly NGK Spark Plugs) is the world leader in technology, innovation, and world-class quality in the design of spark plugs and oxygen sensors. Today, that tradition continues as we transform our organization's portfolio, expand our core ceramic technologies, explore capabilities beyond traditional areas, and challenge ourselves to develop solutions and services that leverage technology to address social issues while contributing to a sustainable society.

Summary:

The Indirect Purchasing Buyer is responsible for managing the full procurement cycle, from generating purchase requisitions and soliciting bids through negotiating terms, monitoring delivery, and maintaining supplier performance. Based at the West Virginia facility, this role supports operations by bringing value through suppliers in cost, on-time delivery, and quality, while ensuring proper purchasing procedures are followed company-wide. The ideal candidate brings strong negotiation and organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Classification: Salary, Non-Exempt

Work Model: Hybrid

Responsibilities:

• Generate and validate purchase requisitions, develop and solicit bids, analyze and evaluate responses, negotiate prices and other terms, monitor delivery, and maintain necessary records.
• Convert all requisitions into purchase orders to suppliers utilizing the current MRP system.
• Evaluate supplier reliability and performance.
• Coordinate competitive and sole source procurements to meet required purchase dates and prepare required support documentation.
• Conduct major procurement negotiations involving agreements on terms and conditions, prices, and schedules.
• Follow up, expedite, and negotiate changes relative to delivery and supplier performance.
• Maintain professional relationships with internal and external customers and suppliers.
• Provide advice to professional or technical staff on purchasing matters as needed.
• Support operations by bringing value through suppliers (cost, on-time delivery, quality) and contributing to company performance through supplied products and services.
• Identify market opportunities (economic, technological, and geographical) to satisfy company needs.
• Support contract, scheduling agreement, material master data, and vendor registration creation in SAP.
• Ensure use of proper purchasing procedures and enforce them company-wide.
• Manage month-end close, including running and analyzing the Open PO Report and other reports as needed.
• Maintain various purchasing files and assist in document and records preparation.
• Assist in meeting company and department goals and business objectives.
• Coordinate special projects as assigned by management.
• Develop IATF procedures or work instructions as they relate to the job function.
• Perform general housekeeping duties.
• Overtime and/or travel as required.
• Complete other duties as assigned or requested by Niterra Japan, if applicable.
• Adhere to all company policies and procedures as applicable.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Proficiency with MS Office required.
• Strong negotiation and purchasing skills.
• Effective communication skills.
• Intermediate computer proficiency.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to multitask.
• Able to maintain confidentiality.
• Able to adapt to changing needs in a fast-paced environment.
• Capable of coping with stressful situations.
• Effective time management skills.
• Undergraduate education preferred.
• One to three years of previous purchasing, accounting, or inventory experience preferred.
• Experience with procurement in SAP preferred.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment:

This role requires travel by vehicle or commercial transportation, along with the associated hazards of an office environment and travel.

What We Offer:

• Comprehensive Health Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• Financial Security: Short-term and long-term disability coverage.
• Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with a generous company match of up to 6%.
• Time Off: Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Work-Life Balance: Paid maternity and paternity leave.
• And much more!

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Niterra is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

Notice to Staffing Firms:

Niterra does not seek or accept unsolicited resumes or CVs from recruitment agencies. We are not responsible for, and will not pay, any fees, commissions, or other payments related to unsolicited resumes or CVs, except as required by a written contract between Niterra and the recruitment agency or party requesting payment of a fee.

California Privacy Notice:

If you are a California resident, please review our CCPA Notice to learn more about how we collect personal information from applicants and the purposes for which that information is used.