Operational Buyer Jobs
Operational Buyer jobs are open across manufacturing, retail, healthcare, and logistics, from entry-level buyers to senior procurement specialists, with specializations in raw materials sourcing, vendor management, and indirect procurement. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 74+ Operational Buyer jobs
Job Title
Senior Operational BuyerJob Description
About Vanderlande
Vanderlande is a global leader in logistics process automation, specializing in automated material handling systems for airports, warehouses, and parcel operations. Our innovative solutions help move millions of products and pieces of luggage around the world every day. With a strong focus on technology, collaboration, and continuous improvement, we are committed to delivering reliable solutions for our customers while providing meaningful career opportunities for our employees.
About the Role
The Supply Chain Center North America (SCC NA) is responsible for the procurement of all equipment & services, subcontracting of 3rd party designed equipment and site installation labor of material and baggage handling systems in USA, Canada, and Mexico. As the Senior Operational Buyer, your focus will be to continuously secure and assure material availability to the factories, our customer projects as well as resolving shortages. The Operational Buyers in VOICE (Pune, India) will closely work together with you on this. Key Performance Indicators will give you insight in the status, so you are able to pro-actively analyze and report regularly on material availability. Updating key interfaces on status, progress, impact, and performance are an important task of the role. When necessary, you start up and drive supplier escalation. You are the first point of contact for our internal customers as well as suppliers for solving possible stagnations and issues.
As an OSC you manage the short-term material availability performance of your suppliers. You make sure that your suppliers deliver and execute according to existing agreements. This includes coaching and training suppliers to increase maturity level and correct use of Vanderlande designed systems, portals, processes, procedures, and tools. Monitoring the Supplier Delivery (RLIP/CLIP1/CLIP2) is a weekly task. As a Senior Operational Buyer, you actively participate in cross-functional teams. You have a central role in managing the supplier relationship and partnering with the Sourcing department. The Senior Operational Buyer will participate in (supplier) improvement projects together with colleagues from other disciplines. You are responsible for actively managing Item Master Data for your supplier categories (with help of the Sourcing Manager) to ensure a smooth Supply Chain operation. Pro-active Supply Management of a portfolio of items by understanding and clarifying sources and potential impact of demand changes throughout the supply chain is also part of the role. You are able to translate trends at supplier-side into concrete actions, targeting weak spots (e.g. supply investigations, optimizing replenishment strategies).
Key Responsibilities
- Process purchase orders created though engineer to order (ETO) specifications.
- Consult sourcing to redirect orders when there is an issue with the default supplier.
- Managing factory shortage messages and translating these into purchase orders.
- Coordinating and monitoring the internal order approval process.
- Monitoring and entering order acknowledgements.
- Integrate (new) suppliers to the Vanderlande process.
- Onboard suppliers on TradeShift.
- Place RFQs
- Monitor exceptions (date, quality SCAR, logistics SCAR, RMA, and Item Master Data)
- Item Master Data evaluation in ERP system.
- Ensure that orders meet the deadlines outlined in the Equipment Delivery Program (EDP).
- Report status of the Open Orders to Supply Chain Coordinators and communicate possible solutions to mitigate risks.
- Coordinating resolutions to questions from suppliers or lead time delivery or quality issues.
- Coordinating resolutions to receiving and payment issues.
- Manage and maintain open order report to keep all orders up to date in JDE and ensure on time delivery.
- Drive Escalations
- Prepare Business Review Meetings
- Monitor supplier Delivery Performance
- Manage supplier continuous improvements.
- Support Operational Buyers in escalations and risks
- Further develop suppliers to mitigate delivery delays, risks
- Supplier Knowledge, understanding Supplier Capacity
- If required, create feedback stream to internal stakeholders (Sourcing/control tower)
- Compares and negotiates price deals to produce cost savings for standard products and/or with established and approved suppliers
- Submits claims in case suppliers deviate from agreed terms and conditions
- Identifies recurring problems
- Improves own way of working and identifies aspects that need improvement
Knowledge-Skills-Abilities (Competencies)
- Ability to work in a team, team player
- Must have the ability to communicate verbally and in writing
- Knowledge and Ability to work well with Excel
- Ability to adapt to different situations/Flexible
- Must have great customer service
- Must have negotiating and procurement skills
- Ability to handle multiple tasks in a high energy office environment
- Must be hands on and have a “take charge mentality”
- Must be confident
- Self-reliant and ability to work independently
- Ability to coach, guide, and train lower level buyers
Requirements
- BS, BA degree
- 4+ years of experience as an Operational Buyer II or equivalent
- High level of organization and detail oriented
- Experience with entering and expediting purchase orders
- Experience with ERP systems (JD Edwards E1 preferred)
- Good computer skills; MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Technical / Mechanical training or experience
- Good verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to read engineering drawings
Travel
This position requires up 5% travel.
Supervisory Responsibility
This position has no supervisory responsibilities.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Vanderlande is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations as required by law.
Job Title
Senior Operational BuyerJob Description
About Vanderlande
Vanderlande is a global leader in logistics process automation, specializing in automated material handling systems for airports, warehouses, and parcel operations. Our innovative solutions help move millions of products and pieces of luggage around the world every day. With a strong focus on technology, collaboration, and continuous improvement, we are committed to delivering reliable solutions for our customers while providing meaningful career opportunities for our employees.
About the Role
The Supply Chain Center North America (SCC NA) is responsible for the procurement of all equipment & services, subcontracting of 3rd party designed equipment and site installation labor of material and baggage handling systems in USA, Canada, and Mexico. As the Senior Operational Buyer, your focus will be to continuously secure and assure material availability to the factories, our customer projects as well as resolving shortages. The Operational Buyers in VOICE (Pune, India) will closely work together with you on this. Key Performance Indicators will give you insight in the status, so you are able to pro-actively analyze and report regularly on material availability. Updating key interfaces on status, progress, impact, and performance are an important task of the role. When necessary, you start up and drive supplier escalation. You are the first point of contact for our internal customers as well as suppliers for solving possible stagnations and issues.
As an OSC you manage the short-term material availability performance of your suppliers. You make sure that your suppliers deliver and execute according to existing agreements. This includes coaching and training suppliers to increase maturity level and correct use of Vanderlande designed systems, portals, processes, procedures, and tools. Monitoring the Supplier Delivery (RLIP/CLIP1/CLIP2) is a weekly task. As a Senior Operational Buyer, you actively participate in cross-functional teams. You have a central role in managing the supplier relationship and partnering with the Sourcing department. The Senior Operational Buyer will participate in (supplier) improvement projects together with colleagues from other disciplines. You are responsible for actively managing Item Master Data for your supplier categories (with help of the Sourcing Manager) to ensure a smooth Supply Chain operation. Pro-active Supply Management of a portfolio of items by understanding and clarifying sources and potential impact of demand changes throughout the supply chain is also part of the role. You are able to translate trends at supplier-side into concrete actions, targeting weak spots (e.g. supply investigations, optimizing replenishment strategies).
Key Responsibilities
- Process purchase orders created though engineer to order (ETO) specifications.
- Consult sourcing to redirect orders when there is an issue with the default supplier.
- Managing factory shortage messages and translating these into purchase orders.
- Coordinating and monitoring the internal order approval process.
- Monitoring and entering order acknowledgements.
- Integrate (new) suppliers to the Vanderlande process.
- Onboard suppliers on TradeShift.
- Place RFQs
- Monitor exceptions (date, quality SCAR, logistics SCAR, RMA, and Item Master Data)
- Item Master Data evaluation in ERP system.
- Ensure that orders meet the deadlines outlined in the Equipment Delivery Program (EDP).
- Report status of the Open Orders to Supply Chain Coordinators and communicate possible solutions to mitigate risks.
- Coordinating resolutions to questions from suppliers or lead time delivery or quality issues.
- Coordinating resolutions to receiving and payment issues.
- Manage and maintain open order report to keep all orders up to date in JDE and ensure on time delivery.
- Drive Escalations
- Prepare Business Review Meetings
- Monitor supplier Delivery Performance
- Manage supplier continuous improvements.
- Support Operational Buyers in escalations and risks
- Further develop suppliers to mitigate delivery delays, risks
- Supplier Knowledge, understanding Supplier Capacity
- If required, create feedback stream to internal stakeholders (Sourcing/control tower)
- Compares and negotiates price deals to produce cost savings for standard products and/or with established and approved suppliers
- Submits claims in case suppliers deviate from agreed terms and conditions
- Identifies recurring problems
- Improves own way of working and identifies aspects that need improvement
Knowledge-Skills-Abilities (Competencies)
- Ability to work in a team, team player
- Must have the ability to communicate verbally and in writing
- Knowledge and Ability to work well with Excel
- Ability to adapt to different situations/Flexible
- Must have great customer service
- Must have negotiating and procurement skills
- Ability to handle multiple tasks in a high energy office environment
- Must be hands on and have a “take charge mentality”
- Must be confident
- Self-reliant and ability to work independently
- Ability to coach, guide, and train lower level buyers
Requirements
- BS, BA degree
- 4+ years of experience as an Operational Buyer II or equivalent
- High level of organization and detail oriented
- Experience with entering and expediting purchase orders
- Experience with ERP systems (JD Edwards E1 preferred)
- Good computer skills; MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Technical / Mechanical training or experience
- Good verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to read engineering drawings
Travel
This position requires up 5% travel.
Supervisory Responsibility
This position has no supervisory responsibilities.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Vanderlande is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations as required by law.
Operational Buyer Jobs by Experience Level
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Find Operational Buyer JobsOperational Buyer Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Augmentis62A
- Stow2
- GEA1
- JCB1
- FirstEnergy1
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in operational buyer jobs.
- 1-3 years of purchasing, procurement, or supply chain experience
- Proficiency with ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, or Coupa
- Experience issuing and managing purchase orders and vendor contracts
- Strong negotiation skills and demonstrated cost-reduction results
- Bachelor's degree in supply chain, business, or a related field
- Familiarity with sourcing strategies and supplier qualification processes
Tips for Your Operational Buyer Job Search
Quantify cost savings on your resume
Hiring managers for operational buyer roles want to see what you saved, not just what you purchased. Replace vague responsibilities with specific outcomes like negotiated contract reductions, consolidated supplier bases, or reduced lead times across your commodity categories.
Tailor your resume to the commodity
Operational buyer postings are often written around a specific commodity or category, like raw materials, MRO, or packaging. Mirror the exact category language from each posting in your resume so automated screening tools match your background to the opening.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists operational buyer openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target postings that name your ERP system
Many operational buyer roles require hands-on experience with a specific ERP platform like SAP, Oracle, or Coupa. If your background includes one of these, prioritize postings that name it explicitly, since ERP fluency often determines who advances past the initial screen.
Prepare a purchase order scenario for interviews
Expect at least one scenario question asking you to walk through a purchase order dispute, a supplier delay, or an urgent reorder situation. Prepare a real example with a clear problem, the action you took, and the operational outcome you delivered.
Negotiate by anchoring to market data
When negotiating your offer, reference publicly available wage data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for your specific procurement category and region. Framing your ask around documented market rates positions you as a data-driven buyer before you have even started the role.
Operational Buyer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most operational buyers?
The companies hiring the most operational buyers right now include Augmentis, Stow, and GEA, with the largest share of openings in Michigan, Ohio, and New York, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Manufacturing, healthcare systems, and large retailers consistently post the highest volumes of operational buyer roles nationwide.
How many operational buyer jobs are remote?
About 97% of operational buyer openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting a role that still requires close coordination with warehouse, logistics, and accounts payable teams. Indirect procurement and software or services buying roles are the most likely to offer remote flexibility, while direct materials and production-linked buyer roles typically remain on-site.
How do you become an operational buyer?
Start by building a foundation in supply chain, purchasing, or business administration through a relevant degree or coursework. Gain hands-on experience in purchasing support, inventory coordination, or vendor administration roles. Learn an ERP system used in your target industry, develop negotiation fundamentals, and pursue a certification like the Certified Professional in Supply Management to strengthen your candidacy.
Can you get an operational buyer job with little or no experience?
Yes, entry-level operational buyer roles exist and are often filled by candidates coming from purchasing assistant, inventory control, or supply chain coordinator positions. Demonstrating ERP exposure, even in a support capacity, and showing you understand the purchase order process from request to receipt gives you a competitive edge over candidates with only classroom backgrounds.
What does the operational buyer interview process look like?
Most operational buyer interviews follow three stages: an initial phone screen focused on your procurement background and ERP experience, a hiring manager interview covering scenario-based questions about supplier issues, cost reduction, and order management, and sometimes a final panel with operations or finance stakeholders. Some employers include a written case or a walkthrough of how you would handle a specific purchasing situation.
Where can I find and apply to operational buyer jobs?
You can find and apply to operational buyer jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Find roles that match your experience level, commodity focus, and location, then apply directly to each listing from the page.
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