Service Parts Buyer

The Service Parts Buyer is responsible for purchasing and expediting service parts to support aftermarket/service operations. This role ensures high service levels by maintaining supply continuity, managing supplier performance, and executing procurement activities in SYSPRO with strong attention to accuracy, lead times, and cost. The Buyer works cross-functionally with Service, Distribution and Accounting to resolve shortages/overages from Suppliers.

Essential Functions:

Purchasing & PO Management (SYSPRO)

• Create, release, and manage purchase orders for service parts based on demand, min/max signals, forecasts, and service priorities.
• Maintain accurate purchasing data in SYSPRO (supplier, pricing, lead times, order multiples/MOQs, confirmations, due dates).
• Track open orders, manage past-due POs, and ensure timely receipts through proactive follow-up with suppliers and internal teams.
• Process PO changes, cancellations and overages/shortages.

Service Parts Availability & Shortage Resolution

• Support service-level targets (fill rate, backorder reduction, on-time shipment) by proactively preventing and resolving part shortages.
• Lead expediting actions for critical orders, including supplier escalation, partial shipments, and alternate logistics options when appropriate.
• Communicate clear status updates and recovery plans to internal stakeholders (Service, Customer Support, Planning/Production).

Inventory & Planning Support (Aftermarket Focus)

• Monitor inventory levels for service parts; recommend adjustments to min/max, safety stock, and order quantities based on usage trends, lead times, and service demand variability.
• Collaborate with planning/materials and distribution to align purchasing actions with service priorities, stocking strategies, and space constraints.
• Support obsolescence mitigation, substitution planning, and last-time buy decisions for discontinued components.
• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 2+ years of buying/purchasing experience in manufacturing or distribution; service parts experience strongly preferred.
• Experience purchasing direct materials/parts.
• Proficiency with ERP systems; SYSPRO experience preferred.
• Strong Excel skills (lookups, pivot tables, basic analysis).
• Strong communication skills and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.