Senior Buyer

Department:               Operations / Supply ChainReports To:                 VP of Operations & EngineeringEmployment Type:    Full-TimeSchedule:                    Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–3:30 PMWork Setting:             On-SiteLocation:                     Canvas Craft Inc. — Otsego, MNPOSITION OVERVIEWCanvas Craft is creating a dedicated Senior Buyer to bring purchasing that is currently spread across our engineering and production teams into a single, coordinated function. This role takes over sourcing, quoting, purchase order entry, and vendor management — freeing our applications engineering and shop-floor leads to focus on their core work — and owns inventory and item management for raw materials and stock across our marine, awning, and industrial product lines.This is a build-and-improve role. Today much of our purchasing is done job-by-job and by sight; you will help stand up and improve the buyer system in NetSuite — item records, reorder points, and purchase workflows — to move us toward planned, data-driven replenishment. You will also manage supplier performance and quality and provide day-to-day support on material receiving. We are looking for an experienced buyer, with solid procurement and inventory fundamentals, who sees the real opportunity to bring structure to a growing manufacturer.KEY RESPONSIBILITIESPurchasing & Sourcing•    Source, quote, negotiate, and buy materials, components, and services across the marine, awning, and industrial lines to meet cost, quality, and delivery targets.•    Enter and issue purchase orders in NetSuite and track them through delivery, resolving shortages and delays before they hit production.•    Consolidate buying now handled across Design & Engineering and the shop floor into one coordinated function.•    Maintain real-time pricing and lead-time data and share it with sales, estimating, and design.Inventory & Item Management•    Own inventory levels, reorder points, min/max, safety stock, and cycle-count accuracy for raw materials and stock items.•    Move the business from reactive “buy by sight” to planned, data-driven replenishment with defined reorder points.•    Build and maintain clean item records in NetSuite — units of measure, vendor part numbers, costs, and lead times.•    Support receiving on material receipt issues and help maintain receiving accuracy.•    Manage inventory around the April–July marine peak and lead periodic and year-end counts.Supplier Management & Quality•    Track supplier performance on price, quality, on-time delivery, and responsiveness.•    Address quality issues and nonconforming material, working with vendors on corrective action.•    Maintain approved-supplier relationships and qualify alternate sources to reduce single-source risk.Systems, AI & Continuous Improvement•    Set up and maintain item records, reorder points, PO workflows, and reporting in NetSuite, and help move purchasing toward a planned, data-driven model.•    Use AI tools such as Claude, ChatGPT, and Gemini to speed sourcing research, data analysis, and routine purchasing work.•    Document and improve purchasing, receiving, and inventory processes and report on key purchasing, inventory, and supplier metrics.Additional duties may be assigned as needed to support business operations.QUALIFICATIONS•    Education: Associate or bachelor’s degree in supply chain, business, operations, or a related field preferred; equivalent buying experience considered in lieu of a degree.•    Experience: 3–5 years as a buyer or purchasing agent in a manufacturing or production environment, including sourcing, negotiation, and purchase order management.•    Preferred: Supplier quality and management experience; hands-on ERP/MRP experience with item records and reorder points (NetSuite a plus); APICS/CPIM certification; exposure to lean or just-in-time inventory practices.•    Technical Skills: ERP/MRP systems (NetSuite preferred), including item and inventory setup; strong Microsoft Excel and data-analysis skills; purchase order and inventory/cycle-count management.•    Soft Skills: Strong negotiation, organization, and attention to detail; clear cross-functional communication with sales, engineering, and the shop floor; a proactive, problem-solving, continuous-improvement mindset.•    AI & Digital Fluency: Comfortable working in an AI-enabled environment, using tools such as Claude, ChatGPT (OpenAI), and Gemini for research, data analysis, and day-to-day productivity.PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS•    Ability to lift up to 40 pounds occasionally when handling or verifying materials.•    Sitting at a workstation for extended periods, with periodic standing and walking on the production floor.•    Repetitive motion including frequent computer, keyboard, and mouse use.•    Occasional exposure to the indoor shop environment, including noise and dust, when on the production floor.The physical demands described above are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this role with or without reasonable accommodation. Canvas Craft provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and for pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions in accordance with applicable law.WORK ENVIRONMENTThis position operates in a production and/or office setting with exposure to equipment, tools, and manufacturing operations as applicable. All team members are required to follow Canvas Craft safety policies and procedures at all times and use required personal protective equipment.COMPANY VEHICLE & DRIVING REQUIREMENTSThis position may require driving a company vehicle. A Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check will be conducted as part of the hiring process.PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENINGAll candidates who receive a conditional offer of employment will be subject to a background check conducted through Yardstik. The scope of the background check will be consistent with the requirements of the role. Canvas Craft conducts background screening in compliance with the Minnesota Human Rights Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), and all applicable state and local law. A conditional offer may be withdrawn only following an individualized assessment, as required by Minnesota law.BENEFITS•    Annual salary: $80,000–$95,000 based on experience and qualifications•    72 hrs Paid Time Off (PTO)•    48 hrs Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) •    Minnesota Paid Family and Medical Leave benefits available beginning January 1, 2026•    Paid holidays•    Company medical plan•    Dental coverage•    401(k) with company match•    Training and advancement opportunitiesABOUT CANVAS CRAFTAt Canvas Craft, we manufacture innovative fabric and metal solutions serving the marine, industrial, and awning/shade markets. Our team combines engineering expertise, advanced manufacturing processes, and practical design to deliver durable, high-performance products tailored to customer needs.OUR CORE VALUES•    Prudence — Use company resources responsibly, including materials, equipment, time, and facilities.•    Positive "Can-Do" Attitude — Approach work with enthusiasm, professionalism, and a willingness to help others.•    Teamwork & Collaboration — Work cooperatively to solve problems and support fellow team members.•    Resilience & Continuous Improvement — Embrace change, adapt quickly, and continually seek ways to improve processes and performance.EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERCanvas Craft, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, familial status, disability, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, or veteran status, in accordance with applicable federal law and the Minnesota Human Rights Act (Minn. Stat. § 363A.08). We are committed to providing an inclusive workplace where all employees are treated with dignity and respect.Buyer role, preferably in manufacturing or industrial products.