Buyer

**Buyer** **Guthrie, KY (Clarksville, TN / Guthrie, KY Area)** **Salary Range: $80,000 - $95,000 annually, based on experience and qualifications.** Conner Industries is seeking a Buyer to join our procurement team, with the Guthrie, Kentucky facility serving as the home base for this position. This role is ideal for a procurement professional with experience in sourcing, supplier management, contract negotiations, inventory planning, and cost reduction within a manufacturing environment. The Buyer will be responsible for supporting the procurement of both direct and indirect materials while partnering closely with operations, finance, and plant leadership to ensure material availability, optimize costs, and support business objectives across multiple locations. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated purchasing professional looking to grow their career with a stable and growing manufacturing organization. **COMPANY** Conner Industries, Inc. is a leading provider of **custom wood packaging and integrated packaging solutions**, serving customers across a wide range of industrial markets. Supported by our vertically integrated **industrial lumber** capabilities, we operate **18 manufacturing locations** nationwide. With more than 40 years in the industry, Conner continues to deliver reliable, tailored packaging solutions that meet the demands of our customers. The Buyer is responsible for sourcing, negotiating pricing, and purchasing direct materials required for our packaging business including items such as corrugated, paper, foam, fasteners along with indirect costs such as electricity, office supplies, rent, and the contesting of property tax assessments. **KEY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES** - Work directly with sales, management and key plant operations in sourcing materials for existing and prospective accounts. This will include purchasing materials from approved vendors based on sales/plants forecast and demand. - Negotiating supply contracts with key vendors. - Manage materials inventories in conjunction with plant operations. **DUTIES AND REQUIREMENTS** • Conduct product research and source suppliers and vendors • Establish professional relationships with suppliers and vendors • Qualify new suppliers with a rigorous process • Source materials, goods and products, and negotiate the best and/or most cost-effective pricing without sacrificing the quality necessary for the customer end-product • Coordinate with plant management and sales team to purchase and maintain necessary inventory for use in assembling customer product • Sourcing lumber third party components and analyzing make versus buy scenarios • Update and maintain records of status of all orders, whether in process or received, and provide payment approval to company’s accounting department as appropriate • Coordinate material planning efforts with plant buyers and operations • Maintain up-to-date, accurate inventory records and participate in year-end and other periodic inventory counts as assigned • Model material cost increases, identifying how future cost changes will impact margins • Coordinate with the sales team on material related price increases and how to communicate to customers • Conduct market research to keep abreast of emerging trends and business opportunities **QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE** • Two to Five years of purchasing experience in products such as fasteners, corrugate, foam, and/or other indirect supplies • Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent, relevant experience • Existing relationships with suppliers a plus • Able to negotiate best rates and delivery schedule to meet plant needs • Must be organized, able to multi-task and maintain accurate records • Strong written and verbal communication skills • Proficient in MSOffice, including strong Excel skills • Analytic skills to quickly and accurately assimilate information making sound business decisions • Travel expected up to 20% • Understand importance of ‘do what you say’ **OTHER…