Position: Buyer
Location: 500 S Hicks Rd h, Palatine, IL 60067
Company: Aimtron System
Employment Type: Full-time
Shift Timings: 1st Shift (07.30 AM – 05.00 PM)
Job Summary:
Aimtron Systems is seeking an experienced Buyer – Electronics Components & Planning to manage the procurement of electronic components while supporting material planning and production requirements.
The ideal candidate will have 3–4 years of experience in purchasing within an electronics manufacturing, EMS, PCBA, or similar environment, with hands-on experience purchasing bare PCBs, resistors, capacitors, active electronic components, ICs, BGAs, and other electronic components.
The candidate should also have exposure to material planning, MRP requirements, BOM analysis, inventory management, production schedules, and supplier coordination. This position will play an important role in ensuring the timely availability of materials required for production while maintaining competitive costs, appropriate inventory levels, and strong supplier performance.
Key Responsibilities:
Electronics Purchasing & Sourcing:
- Purchase bare PCBs and electronic components based on production and material requirements.
- Source and procure resistors, capacitors, ICs, BGAs, diodes, transistors, connectors, and other active and passive components.
- Review BOMs, material requirements, purchase requisitions, and MRP requirements to identify purchasing needs.
- Obtain and evaluate supplier quotations based on price, quality, lead time, MOQ, payment terms, and delivery commitments.
- Negotiate pricing and commercial terms with suppliers to achieve competitive procurement costs.
- Create and release Purchase Orders based on approved requirements.
- Follow up with suppliers to ensure timely delivery of materials.
- Monitor open Purchase Orders and proactively address delays, shortages, and delivery risks.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with existing and potential suppliers.
Material Planning & MRP Support:
- Support material planning activities based on BOMs, MRP requirements, production schedules, and customer demand.
- Review material availability and identify potential shortages that may impact production.
- Coordinate with Planning/PPC to understand production priorities and upcoming material requirements.
- Monitor component lead times and ensure long-lead-time materials are ordered in advance.
- Track critical and shortage materials and provide regular updates to internal stakeholders.
- Support inventory planning by considering MOQ, lead time, demand, safety stock, and production requirements.
- Assist in expediting critical materials required for production.
Supplier Management:
- Monitor supplier performance related to cost, quality, delivery, and responsiveness.
- Follow up with suppliers regarding order confirmations and committed delivery dates.
- Support supplier evaluation and development activities.
- Coordinate with Quality and suppliers to resolve material quality or specification issues.
- Assist in identifying alternate suppliers and sources for critical components.
- Maintain supplier pricing, lead-time, and procurement information.
Production & Cross-Functional Coordination:
- Work closely with Planning, Production, Engineering, Quality, Stores/Warehouse, and Finance teams to ensure uninterrupted material availability.
- Coordinate with Engineering regarding BOM requirements, component specifications, and alternate components when required.
- Support procurement requirements for NPI, prototype builds, pilot production, and engineering changes.
- Coordinate with Stores/Warehouse regarding incoming material status, shortages, discrepancies, and material availability.
- Escalate critical shortages and supplier delays that may affect production schedules.
ERP / Purchasing Documentation:
- Maintain accurate purchasing and supplier information in the ERP system.
- Create and maintain Purchase Orders and supplier delivery commitments.
- Update material status and expected delivery dates.
- Maintain purchasing records and documentation.
- Prepare material, purchasing, shortage, and supplier status reports as required.
- Ensure purchasing activities follow Aimtron Systems' internal processes and approval requirements.
Qualifications:
- 3–4 years of experience in purchasing/buying, preferably within an electronics manufacturing, EMS, PCBA, or similar environment.
- Practical experience purchasing: Bare PCBs, Resistors, Capacitors, ICs, BGAs, Diodes, Transistors, Connectors, Other active and passive electronic components.
- Experience or exposure to material planning and MRP.
- Experience working with BOMs, material requirements, RFQs, Purchase Orders, and supplier follow-up.
- Engineering degree is preferred but not mandatory.
- Candidates with an Engineering degree may be considered for a higher compensation range, depending on experience and technical knowledge.
- Experience with an ERP/MRP system is preferred.
- Good understanding of electronic components, part numbers, specifications, and sourcing requirements.
- Strong understanding of the procurement cycle from requirement identification through material receipt.
Preferred Skills:
- Previous experience in an EMS / Electronics Manufacturing / PCBA environment.
- Experience with Epicor or another manufacturing ERP/MRP system is preferred.
- Good understanding of electronic component sourcing and supplier markets.
- Ability to understand and work with BOMs and component part numbers.
- Knowledge of MRP, material planning, inventory control, and shortage management.
- Strong supplier negotiation and relationship management skills.
- Knowledge of MOQ, lead time, safety stock, and inventory optimization.
- Ability to prioritize critical and long-lead-time components.
- Strong Microsoft Excel skills for purchasing and material analysis.
- Good analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Strong communication and coordination skills.
- Ability to work effectively with Planning, Production, Engineering, Quality, Stores, and Supply Chain teams.
- Experience with cost reduction, alternate sourcing, and supplier development will be an advantage.