Job Overview

Komatsu’s Hard Rock team is seeking a driven and resourceful Aftermarket Parts Buyer to join our team in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Reporting to the Factory Aftermarket Parts Supply & Demand Supervisor, this role is critical in ensuring the timely availability, quality, and cost-effectiveness of aftermarket parts across assigned commodities and services. The successful candidate will be responsible for sourcing, purchasing, and maintaining optimal inventory levels to support operations and meet customer demand. Leveraging strong negotiation skills, market insight, and supplier relationships, the Aftermarket Parts Buyer will play a key role in driving cost efficiencies, monitoring market trends, and strengthening supplier partnerships—ultimately contributing to Komatsu’s continued competitiveness and operational excellence.

Key Job Responsibilities

• Utilize the planning functions available within the business system to provide for the purchasing of material to support the aftermarket parts organization requirements, assuring customer satisfaction.
• Arrange and conduct meetings between suppliers and the company for the purpose of following of supply agreements, arriving at pricing, arranging delivery schedules, and resolving performance or quality issues.
• Assure that intellectual and other proprietary property information is kept in the strictest confidence when interacting with the supply base.
• Manage adjustments and assist finance to assure proper credit and payment schedules with the supply bases.
• Maintain supplier information records and purchase orders.
• Resolve quality and shipment discrepancies with vendor
• Process purchase order cancellations based on inventory planning to avoid excess and obsolete inventory.
• Interface between engineering and supply base to resolve issues of ambiguous specifications or material shortages or substitutions.
• Managing Purchase Price Variance. Utilize output from ERP system to make informed decisions regarding; purchase versus transfer (domestic and globally), make versus buy, correct order quantities, and most economic pricing.
• Accuracy of master data including pricing, lead-times and lot sizing.
• Determine responsibility and validity of supply back charges for quality scrap or rework of material.
• Initiate prompt return of rejected materials to suppliers requesting corrective action.
• Provide suppliers with latest engineering changes containing costs and managing inventory obsolescence.

Qualifications/Requirements

• Associates or bachelor’s degree in business or related discipline with minimum 2 years’ experience in purchasing with increasing levels of responsibility.
• PMAC / ISM accreditation or equivalent experience is an asset.
• Essential to have at least two years of experience in raw material/parts supply chain.
• Previous international sourcing experience is required.
• Experience with supply chain regulations and compliance is an asset.
• Vendor negotiation, selection and performance management experience required.
• Working knowledge of ERP procurement systems including MRP and proficiency using Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Strong negotiations skills.
• Strong analytical skills with high attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with customer service focus.
• Ability to handle and prioritize multiple tasks while working in a fast-paced team environment
• Ability to travel globally for intercompany and supplier meetings.