Location: Huntingdon, TN
Category: Supply Chain/Operations
Employment Type: Permanent
Date Added: 02/27/2026
Position Summary
Manage the development, delivery, cost and quality of all incoming production components. Foster a strong relationship with the supply base and drive for continuous improvements of the products we purchase for production.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Participate with supplier and product development in APQP events to optimize design and component costs.
- Identify and promote new technology opportunities for continuous improvement and cost reductions.
- Source parts at approved and acceptable suppliers. Take overall responsibility for supplier performance including quality, delivery, price, and technical support.
- Negotiate pricing related to component parts with suppliers.
- Assist the SQE’s in determining the quarterly scorecard rating for selected suppliers.
- Assist QA department to ensure defects receive appropriate supplier root cause analysis and corrective action.
- Visit suppliers on a regular basis at intervals commensurate with criticality to business performance for activities such as Supplier Quality Reviews, Supplier Process Verification Audits, Corrective Action Audits, etc.
- Develop supplier that is consistent with the Hydro-Gear Mission and Vision Statements.
- Responsible for maintaining the overall supplier relationship.
- Responsible for purchasing support for all Hydro-Gear plant locations.
- Assist Expeditor with part delivery as needed.
- Be liaison with suppliers and Hydro-Gear for PPAP process and ECN process.
- Able and willing to perform other tasks outlined in the Buyer Standard Work.
- Perform special projects as assigned by the Purchasing Manager.
Supervisory Responsibilities
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No
Qualifications and Reasonable Accommodation
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily, meet the education, experience, and special skills requirements, and meet the physical and mental demands for the job. The Company will make reasonable accommodations needed to enable a qualified individual with a disability perform the essential functions of a job (unless doing so would constitute an undue hardship).
Education
B.A./B.S. technical degree from a 4 year college or university and/or 3 years minimum work experience in a related field and or/training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Special Knowledge/ Experience, Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations Requirements
Have a strong technical knowledge and ability to read print schematics. Possess strong problem solving skills. Skilled in various manufacturing processes. Have the ability to prioritize multiple activities/projects and detailed oriented. Proficient in Microsoft Office is a must.
Language Skills Requirements
High – Able to read, analyze, and interpret more complicated documents such as technical procedures, comprehensive manuals, and governmental regulations. Able to write detailed reports, correspondence, and procedures. Able to develop and present information effectively to larger groups.
Mathematical Skills Requirements
Intermediate – Able to add, subtract, multiply, and divide whole numbers, fractions, and decimals. Able to apply to practical situations figures such as percentages, PPM, ratios, proportions, area, and volume. Able to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. Able to create/interpret graphs.
Reasoning Skills Requirements
High – Able to methodically define issues, collect data, establish facts, develop solutions, and perform verification to solve significant problems. Ability to interpret a variety of complex instructions, data, and other information furnished in various formats.
Work Environment
While performing the essential functions of this job, the primary work environment will be:
- Office
While performing the essential functions of this job, other work environments periodically encountered will be:
- Industrial areas with production or related equipment – including moving mechanical parts, sharp tools, electrical hazards, chemical hazards, slippery conditions, and noisy areas
Personal Protective Equipment shall be worn as required in specified areas.
Expected Travel
- May be required to travel up to 30% of the scheduled work time.
- Additional unscheduled travel may be required at times.
- Travel will consist of car rides up to 11 hours and potential flights to suppliers, including international flights (up to 15 hours long).