Senior Buyer

This is Where Tradition Becomes Legend

Ritchie Engineering Co., Inc. is a family-owned company that has been innovating HVAC & Refrigeration tools and test equipment for more than 75 years. From idea conception through development, production, and shipment; every team member plays a crucial role ensuring the quality, reliability, and efficiency of these American-made products.

What We Offer:

Join our team and enjoy a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you and your loved ones:

Benefits

• 401(k) Retirement Plan: 100% company match with no vesting schedule on up to 4% of your contributions

• Health Insurance: Two Medical Plans that include telemedicine options for 24/7 access to healthcare professionals for you and your family, Dental, Vision and Flexible Spending Account options to suit your needs

• Company Paid Insurance: Long-term disability, accidental death and dismemberment, and life insurance at no additional cost

• Paid Time Off (PTO): We value work life balance and offer a generous PTO plan for exempt employees. You will start with 52 hours during the first 6 months, with accrual increasing to 160 hours annually after 6 months. The accrual rate will continue to increase with tenure up to 202 hours annually after 20 years of service.

• Holiday Pay: In addition to PTO, all employees receive up to 80 hours of paid holidays annually

• Referral program: Earn rewards for helping the team grow

Compensation

• As you evaluate your career options, we recognize that salary is a key consideration. For this role, the pay range is $90,000 - 120,000, with individual compensation determined by your unique skills, experience level, and other relevant factors

Schedule:

• Enjoy a 4-day work week, 10-hours a day (Monday-Thursday Between 6:00am and 6:00pm).

• Additional hours may be required during busier times

What You Will be Doing:

The Senior Buyer role is responsible for the purchasing of new and existing parts based on demand in company ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system, including assisting in supplier selection, supplier evaluation, and providing recommendations on changes in both process and partners to the Supply Chain Manager. This role would be responsible for driving results today and leading the department in the future. This is a high-visibility role with real influence on cost savings, supply continuity, and supplier strategy.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Procure new and existing parts from domestic and international suppliers based on ERP-driven demand, lead times, order history, and product life cycle

• Request, negotiate, and maintain supplier pricing, lead times, payment terms, and delivery schedules to optimize cost and availability

• Expedite or de-expedite orders in response to demand changes and proactively manage supplier performance

• Plan purchases strategically to balance inventory levels, warehouse capacity, shelf life, and total landed cost

• Support new product development through source selection and active participation in cross-functional meetings

• Identify, evaluate, and onboard alternate suppliers to strengthen the supply base

• Conduct supplier visits, resolve issues, document transactions, and maintain accurate records for compliance and performance tracking

• Own supplier scorecards and deliver clear quarterly performance reports to suppliers and leadership

• Train and mentor colleagues on established processes while continuously improving purchasing practices

• Take on additional responsibilities as the role evolves toward department leadership

What You Will Bring:

Required:

• Minimum 5 years of hands-on experience in domestic and international purchasing within an ERP/MRP environment

• Demonstrated management or supervisory experience (leading people, mentoring team members, or owning high-level supplier performance)

• Strong proficiency with ERP systems for procurement

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to work effectively with non-native English speakers

• Solid analytical and mathematical skills (discounts, proportions, percentages, total cost analysis)

• Proven ability to collaborate across departments, solve complex problems, and drive measurable results

• Highly organized, detail-oriented, self-motivated, and comfortable multitasking in a fast-paced setting

Preferred:

• 7+ years of relevant purchasing or procurement experience

• Prior experience leading or mentoring a purchasing/sourcing team

• ACSM, APICS, or equivalent certification

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Logistics, or a related field

• Clear ambition and capacity to grow into a department leadership role

Where and How You Will Work

On-site Engagement and Collaboration:

This role works on-site in Bloomington, MN, where your direct contributions will make a real impact. Being in person will allow you to collaborate closely with others, build meaningful relationships, and play a key role in our company success.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Required to sit, stand, walk, handle or feel objects, tools and controls

• Vision required to inspect products and documents in detail

• Occasionally required to reach with hands and arms, and to stoop, kneel, or crouch

• Must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds; some workstations require lifting and/or moving up to 60 pounds

Work Environment:

The performance of this position may occasionally require exposure to the manufacturing areas where certain areas require the use of personal protective equipment, may work near moving equipment, and exposed to dust, odors, oil, fumes, and noise.