Plant Buyer Jobs
Plant Buyer jobs are open across manufacturing, automotive, food and beverage, and consumer goods, from entry-level purchasing assistant roles to senior and strategic levels, with specializations in direct materials, indirect spend, and commodity management. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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INTRODUCTION
Responsible for buying identified parts and materials required within the maintenance operations. Involved in the control of inventory by maintaining accurate records of purchasing, locating, retrieving, and the shipping of maintenance materials and parts to ensure the day-to-day operations run optimally. Perform all jobs safely, efficiently, and accurately to maintain and improve the performance of the entire plant in the areas of Safety, Quality, Reliability (SQR) and our Customer 1st strategy. Provide leadership that embodies our 7 Kroger Manufacturing High Performance Work System principles. Demonstrate the company's core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion and safety.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- High School Diploma or GED
- 2+ years of prior experience in maintenance operations
- Basic Math skills
- Basic knowledge of operations and production processes
- Ability to understand complex verbal/written instructions
- Strong oral/written communication skills
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Any previous food manufacturing experience
- Utilizing CMMS, responsible for sourcing, ordering, issuing, and coordinating shipping of maintenance parts/materials from vendors to the facility; keep accurate records of purchasing functions and assist in producing budget-related reports
- Maintain price list/price quotations, to include soliciting and analyzing quotations, resolving invoice discrepancies, and maintaining market pricing
- Advise management on market and business conditions
- Make price comparisons to ensure best values; responsible for developing a thorough knowledge of local and regional suppliers, their products, and their shipping procedures/costs
- Maintain an up to date and accurate vendor/supplier list in the CMMS
- Understand/support continuous improvement and familiarize with Kroger accounting systems/procedures including completing PPAS, write off report and work with vendors on various payment issues
- Negotiate short-term contracts, consolidate shipments, expedite/coordinate changes, and control commodity inventory beyond immediate production requirements
- Coordinate requirements with Our Brands Sourcing and Procurement Category Managers and General Sales Managers
- Establish/maintain positive vendor relations, to include evaluating performance, interviewing representatives, reconciling complaints and adjustments, originating communications, visiting vendor facilities, and arranging/participating in meetings
- Conduct annual physical inventory of all central stock
- Comply with all federal, state, and local regulatory requirements and procedures
- Participate in and actively support all Safety and Reliability initiatives
- Balance delivery loads and times while staying within shift limits
- Follow established programs, policies and practices to produce safe quality foods that meet regulatory and company requirements
- Must be able to perform the essential job functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation
- Must be able to work around ingredients and/or finished products known to contain food allergens
INTRODUCTION
Responsible for buying identified parts and materials required within the maintenance operations. Involved in the control of inventory by maintaining accurate records of purchasing, locating, retrieving, and the shipping of maintenance materials and parts to ensure the day-to-day operations run optimally. Perform all jobs safely, efficiently, and accurately to maintain and improve the performance of the entire plant in the areas of Safety, Quality, Reliability (SQR) and our Customer 1st strategy. Provide leadership that embodies our 7 Kroger Manufacturing High Performance Work System principles. Demonstrate the company's core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion and safety.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- High School Diploma or GED
- 2+ years of prior experience in maintenance operations
- Basic Math skills
- Basic knowledge of operations and production processes
- Ability to understand complex verbal/written instructions
- Strong oral/written communication skills
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Any previous food manufacturing experience
- Utilizing CMMS, responsible for sourcing, ordering, issuing, and coordinating shipping of maintenance parts/materials from vendors to the facility; keep accurate records of purchasing functions and assist in producing budget-related reports
- Maintain price list/price quotations, to include soliciting and analyzing quotations, resolving invoice discrepancies, and maintaining market pricing
- Advise management on market and business conditions
- Make price comparisons to ensure best values; responsible for developing a thorough knowledge of local and regional suppliers, their products, and their shipping procedures/costs
- Maintain an up to date and accurate vendor/supplier list in the CMMS
- Understand/support continuous improvement and familiarize with Kroger accounting systems/procedures including completing PPAS, write off report and work with vendors on various payment issues
- Negotiate short-term contracts, consolidate shipments, expedite/coordinate changes, and control commodity inventory beyond immediate production requirements
- Coordinate requirements with Our Brands Sourcing and Procurement Category Managers and General Sales Managers
- Establish/maintain positive vendor relations, to include evaluating performance, interviewing representatives, reconciling complaints and adjustments, originating communications, visiting vendor facilities, and arranging/participating in meetings
- Conduct annual physical inventory of all central stock
- Comply with all federal, state, and local regulatory requirements and procedures
- Participate in and actively support all Safety and Reliability initiatives
- Balance delivery loads and times while staying within shift limits
- Follow established programs, policies and practices to produce safe quality foods that meet regulatory and company requirements
- Must be able to perform the essential job functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation
- Must be able to work around ingredients and/or finished products known to contain food allergens
Plant Buyer Jobs by Experience Level
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Find Plant Buyer JobsPlant Buyer Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Augmentis62A
- Amrize4
- Kroger4
- Clarios2
- Buckhorn1
Top Industries Hiring
- Electronics & Hardware
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in plant buyer jobs.
- Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, business, or a related field
- Experience with ERP systems such as SAP or Oracle for procurement workflows
- Demonstrated ability to negotiate pricing and contracts with direct material suppliers
- Familiarity with MRP processes and production scheduling to align purchasing with demand
- Knowledge of cost analysis, spend analysis, and total cost of ownership principles
- Certifications such as CPSM or CPIM are preferred by many manufacturing employers
Tips for Your Plant Buyer Job Search
Quantify savings and cost reductions
Plant buyer resumes that show negotiated cost savings, inventory reduction percentages, or cycle time improvements stand out from generic purchasing experience. Convert your wins into numbers your next employer can immediately understand and benchmark against their own goals.
List your commodity and category knowledge
Hiring managers scan for specific commodities like metals, resins, electronics, or packaging materials. Name the exact categories you've sourced so your resume surfaces in filtered searches and signals that you can hit the ground running without a long ramp-up period.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists plant 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 plant buyer roles require hands-on experience with SAP, Oracle, or similar ERP platforms. Prioritize openings that name the system you know best, and call out your proficiency level clearly in both your resume and cover letter.
Prepare a supplier negotiation story
Interviewers for plant buyer roles almost always ask for a specific example of a difficult supplier negotiation. Have one story ready that covers the problem, your leverage, your approach, and the final outcome, including any long-term contract terms you secured.
Ask operations questions during your interview
Asking about production schedules, supplier lead times, or current supply chain pain points during your interview shows you think beyond purchasing transactions. It signals cross-functional awareness and positions you as someone who understands the plant floor, not just the purchase order.
Plant Buyer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most plant buyers?
The most active employers for plant buyers right now are Augmentis, Amrize, and Kroger, and the most openings are in Michigan, Ohio, and New York, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Manufacturing-heavy states with large automotive or food processing industries tend to concentrate the most openings.
How many plant buyer jobs are remote?
About 90% of plant buyer openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most plant-side purchasing roles. Indirect spend and corporate procurement positions are more likely to offer remote flexibility, while direct materials roles typically require regular on-site presence to coordinate with production teams.
How do you become a plant buyer?
Start with a degree in supply chain, business, or operations, then build foundational experience in purchasing, inventory control, or materials planning. Develop hands-on skills in ERP systems and supplier negotiation, seek out roles that expose you to direct materials sourcing, and pursue a certification like CPSM or CPIM to accelerate your move into plant buyer positions.
Can you get a plant buyer job with little or no experience?
Yes, entry-level purchasing coordinator or buyer-in-training roles at manufacturing companies are designed for candidates still building experience. Focus on demonstrating ERP familiarity, analytical skills, and any exposure to procurement or inventory work from internships, co-ops, or adjacent roles. Smaller manufacturers and contract manufacturers are often more open to developing junior candidates than large enterprises.
What does the plant buyer interview process look like?
Most plant buyer interviews include a phone screen with HR, a hiring manager interview focused on commodity experience and negotiation examples, and often a technical or case-based round where you walk through a sourcing scenario or cost analysis. Some manufacturers add a plant tour or a panel interview with operations and finance stakeholders before extending an offer.
Where can I find and apply to plant buyer jobs?
You can find and apply to plant buyer jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search for roles that match your commodity background and experience level, then apply directly to each listing that fits.
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