Buyer / Senior Buyer (51474)

Salary Range $70,000.00 - $110,000.00 Salary/year

Level Experienced

Position Type Full Time

Job Shift First

Education Level 4 Year Degree

Category Purchasing - Procurement

Description

Gradian is an engineering-led, full-line thermal solutions partner serving data center and other mission-critical, commercial, and industrial markets. Headquartered in Maple Grove, MN, with additional facilities across North America, we design and manufacture liquid cooling systems, air handling equipment, heat rejection units, and modular, factory-assembled thermal management solutions.

Gradian was founded through the unification of four complementary, established brands: MAS HVAC, Daedex, DeepCoolAI, and EcoChillers. Together, we act as a single-source provider, deploying cooling technologies as scalable systems optimized for efficiency, spatial constraints, and overall performance. With a vertically integrated engineering and manufacturing model, we pair rapid design turnaround with precision fabrication, so customers can move faster on complex projects where reliability, timeline, and quality all matter.

Why work here

At Gradian, you'll work alongside others who get genuinely fired up by complex problems, see your work go from first sketch to job site in weeks, not years, and know that while we're developing the technologies critical for AI infrastructure to scale, our culture remains people-first by design.

It is core to our identity that we operate as one team — driving to win together, energizing others, and building lasting relationships that make the work fun and rewarding.

Salary Ranges

Buyer - $70,000 to $90,000

Sr. Buyer - $85,000 to $110,000

Position Summary:

The Buyer/Senior Buyer-Planner is responsible for ensuring material availability to support production schedules through purchasing, inventory planning, supplier management, and demand forecasting activities. This role works closely with Sourcing, Engineering, Production, Materials, and Operations teams to maintain optimal inventory levels, support on-time customer deliveries, and drive supplier performance. The position level will be determined based on the selected candidate's experience, demonstrated competencies, and ability to lead strategic supply chain initiatives

Key Responsibilities:

• Issue, manage, and maintain purchase orders to approved suppliers.

• Establish and communicate supplier delivery requirements and order due dates to support production timelines.

• Develop and maintain material requirements plans based on production schedules, forecasts, and customer demand.

• Monitor supplier performance and work collaboratively to improve delivery, responsiveness, quality, and reliability.

• Proactively resolve material shortages, supplier constraints, and lead-time risks to minimize production disruptions.

• Partner with Engineering, Production, Materials, Sourcing, and Operations teams to ensure material availability aligns with business and production requirements.

• Maintain ERP system data integrity and ensure planning and purchasing transactions are executed accurately.

• Support forecasting, capacity planning, and long-term material planning efforts.

• Analyze demand, inventory performance, and supply chain trends to identify risks and recommend solutions.

• Own planning and procurement activities for assigned commodities, components, and raw materials.

• Drive inventory optimization through appropriate planning parameters, safety stock levels, reorder points, and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Develop and monitor KPIs related to inventory, supplier performance, material availability, and planning effectiveness.

• Senior-level incumbents may provide mentorship, training, and guidance to others.

Qualifications & Requirements:

Required:

• Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Engineering, Business, or a related field preferred.

• 3 to 5 years of experience in purchasing, materials planning, production planning, or supply chain management within a manufacturing environment.

• Strong understanding of MRP systems, inventory management, lead times, and supplier management.

• Experience working with ERP systems in a manufacturing environment.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.

• Senior Buyer Planner Level

• 5-8+ years of progressive experience with an advanced understanding of MRP systems, forecasting, inventory optimization, supplier management and planning

• Demonstrated success leading process improvement initiatives and implementing sustainable operational changes

• Advanced Excel and ERP system proficiency.

• Proven ability to drive supplier performance improvements, identify operational risks, and influence cross-functional teams.

• Strong leadership, communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills

Preferred:

• Any of the following - CPP / CPSM / CPIM / CSCP/ Lean Six Sigma

Key Competencies:

• Strong leadership and communication skills

• Able to work in a fast-paced environment and consistently take initiative

• Analytical mindset; attention to detail

• Ability to work collaboratively across departments

• Strong organizational and project management abilities

Benefits:

• Medical, vision, and dental plans

• Short-term and long-term disability insurance

• Group term life insurance coverage

• HSA, FSA, and Dependent Care plans available

• 8 paid holidays, 4 floating holidays, and generous PTO policy

• 401k matching

• Annual safety shoe allowance

• Education assistance program

EEO Statement:

Gradian is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, political affiliation, or any other legally protected status.

Employment decisions at Gradian are based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind and actively promote a culture of fairness, equity, and opportunity.

We also provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and for sincerely held religious beliefs, practices, or observances, in accordance with applicable laws.