Junior Buyer

Overview Hayward Holdings Inc. (NYSE: HAYW) is a global leader in the design, manufacture, and marketing of residential and commercial pool equipment. We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Junior Buyer to support our Operations and Planning teams by ensuring materials are purchased and delivered on time to meet production schedules. This is an excellent opportunity for an early-career supply chain professional to gain hands-on experience in purchasing, supplier management, ERP systems, and cross-functional manufacturing operations. Responsibilities Review MRP exception reports and inventory levels to determine purchasing requirements based on current demand and future production needs Create, place, and manage purchase orders for assigned commodities and suppliers Monitor open order reports and proactively expedite materials to prevent production delays Communicate directly with suppliers regarding order status, lead times, shortages, and delivery commitments Partner with Production Planning, Receiving, Quality, Engineering, and Operations teams to ensure materials meet schedule and quality expectations Resolve invoice discrepancies and vendor issues related to pricing, quantity, quality, or delivery Participate in new product introduction meetings to support component sourcing and material readiness Communicate supplier constraints and risks to internal stakeholders while helping drive solutions Maintain accurate purchasing data and system records within ERP/MRP platforms Support continuous improvement initiatives, including process enhancements and ERP implementation efforts Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, Finance, or a related field preferred Internship, co-op, or 0-2 years of experience in purchasing, supply chain, planning, inventory, or operations preferred Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered Skills & Competencies Strong analytical and problem-solving skills Excellent communication and interpersonal skills High attention to detail with strong organizational abilities Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems is a plus Eagerness to learn and grow within a manufacturing supply chain environment