Overview

Norfolk, VADescription: The Buyer reports to the Purchasing Manager and is responsible for managing supplier relationships, executing complex procurement activities, and driving strategic sourcing initiatives. This role progresses from independently managing assigned supplier accounts and moderately complex purchases (Level II) to leading high-value negotiations, developing category strategies, and mentoring junior buyers (Level III). The Buyer will work cross-functionally with Production, Operations, Finance, and leadership to align procurement with business goals.Procurement & PurchasingManage assigned supplier accounts and execute purchase orders accurately and within approved budgetsAnalyze quotes, costs, and lead times to support sound purchasing decisionsProcess procurement requirements from requisition through PO issuance, including verification of specifications and pricingAssist with PO/invoice reconciliation; maintain and update delivery dates and PO values in Deltek CostpointProvide regular purchase order status reports to supervisor, including packing slip numbers for closed orders(Level III) Lead complex sourcing initiatives, high-value supplier negotiations, and category strategy development(Level III) Oversee and streamline the quoting process to ensure timely and competitive vendor quotesSupplier ManagementBuild and maintain productive supplier relationships; resolve delivery, quality, and pricing issues in a timely mannerMonitor supplier performance and implement corrective actions as needed(Level III) Develop supplier scorecards and lead continuous improvement initiativesStrategic & Cross-FunctionalIdentify and track cost-saving opportunities and process improvement initiatives(Level III) Monitor overhead budgets and capital expenditures (CapEx) to ensure procurement alignment with financial targetsCollaborate with Production, Operations, Finance, and other internal teams to align procurement activities with project needsWork closely with the Estimating department to quote all materials and services for work the company bids(Level III) Develop and implement long-term procurement and category strategies(Level III) Conduct market analysis, trend forecasting, and global sourcing evaluation(Level III) Partner with Finance on inventory, billing, and compliance matters(Level III) Work with sister sites on cost savings initiatives and program rollouts(Level III) Implement or optimize procurement systems and tools to streamline operationsWarehouse & Logistics SupportVerify delivery of materials; inspect incoming shipments for accuracy, condition, and proper distributionPerform material staging, kitting, HAZMAT handling, and material distribution as neededMaintain shipping logs, purchase request logs, and related documentationSupport cycle counts and inventory control activitiesMaintain an organized, clean warehouse environmentMentorship & Leadership (Level III)Mentor and provide guidance to Level I and Level II buyersContribute to procurement policy development and best practice standardsServe as point of contact for critical vendor issues and urgent sourcing needs kSARIA is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabilities/Veterans Requirements: Education & Experience• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent required; associate's or bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, or related field preferred• Level II: Minimum 2-5 years of procurement/buying experience• Level III: Minimum 5-8+ years of progressive procurement experience, including strategic sourcing• Must be eligible to work in the United States• Must be 18 years of age or olderTechnical Skills• Minimum 1-3 years of experience with Deltek Costpoint (required)• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, Outlook, and Word• (Level III) Experience with procurement systems implementation or optimization preferredCore Competencies• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities with a high sense of urgency and ownership