Supply Chain Specialist

Buyer Location: Dracut, MA (On-site)
Employment Full Time (Direct Hire to Company)

CITIZENS / AUTHORIZED TO WORK IN THE U.Plan, purchase, and manage materials and parts to support production and customer demand
Develop, manage, and negotiate with suppliers to ensure cost, quality, and delivery targets are met
Monitor and optimize inventory levels, resolving shortages and minimizing surplus/obsolescence
Manufacturing
Industrial / Production Operations
Supply Chain & Materials Management

NESC Staffing is seeking an experienced Buyer to support one of our manufacturing clients. In this role, you will be responsible for ensuring that materials and components are available at the right time, at the right cost, and at the required quality level. You will work closely with production, engineering, and suppliers to ensure that operations run smoothly and customers receive full support.

This is a hands-on role in a fast-paced manufacturing environment where proactive planning, strong supplier relationships, and attention to detail make a direct impact on operational performance and customer satisfaction.

Plan and purchase all necessary parts and materials to meet production schedules and customer demand, while maintaining optimal inventory levels.
Review and respond daily to MRP demand, placing timely purchase orders based on forecasts, firm orders, and inventory targets.
Manage a defined portfolio of suppliers, including regular performance reviews, relationship development, and identification of alternative sources when needed.
Negotiate pricing, terms, and conditions to support cost savings, continuity of supply, and risk mitigation.
Draft, review, and manage purchase agreements and contracts in alignment with company policies and business objectives.
Proactively identify and resolve material shortages, delivery delays, and quality issues; Collaborate closely with Engineering and Manufacturing to align material planning with production schedules, new product introductions, and engineering changes.
Support and lead initiatives to improve material flow, including implementation of lean supply concepts such as pull systems, consignment, and vendor-managed inventory.
Track, analyze, and control inventory levels to minimize surplus, slow-moving stock, and obsolescence while protecting production continuity.
Monitor market trends, lead times, and supplier capacity to anticipate changes that could impact price, availability, or risk.
Participate in a make-versus-buy analysis that incorporates forecasts, capacity considerations, and total cost of ownership.
Maintain accurate purchasing and supplier records in the MRP/ERP system, ensuring data integrity for planning and reporting.
Partner with cross-functional teams (operations, finance, quality, and engineering) to support cost reduction projects and continuous improvement initiatives.

High school diploma required; Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, or a related field preferred.
~5+ years of experience as a Buyer in a manufacturing environment.
~ Hands-on experience working with MRP/ERP systems and interpreting demand signals.
~ Familiarity with lean manufacturing principles and material flow concepts (e.g., pull systems, kanban, consignment, vendor-managed inventory).
~ Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and make sound purchasing decisions.
~ Proven problem-solving mindset, with a proactive and solutions-focused approach to resolving material and supply chain issues.


A role where your work directly impacts production performance, delivery reliability, and customer satisfaction.
Collaborative environment with cross-functional exposure to supply chain, operations, engineering, and leadership.


ALL QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL RECEIVE CONSIDERATION FOR EMPLOYMENT WITHOUT REGARD TO RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, SEX (INCLUDING PREGNANCY, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, OR GENDER IDENTITY), NATIONAL ORIGIN, AGE, DISABILITY, GENETIC INFORMATION, VETERAN STATUS, OR ANY OTHER STATUS PROTECTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.