St. Cloud Refrigeration is proud to be family owned and operated for over 60 years! We are the Midwest's leader in commercial refrigeration, HVAC, building automation, and food service design, installation, and maintenance. Family-owned and operated since 1957, SCR's multiple divisions serve all of Minnesota, parts of Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, and beyond. Our customer focus and commitment to quality are second to none!
At SCR, our employees are like family. We believe in providing opportunities for both personal and professional growth, based on the understanding that employee satisfaction directly impacts customer satisfaction. The result is the loyalty and longevity of employees who take great pride in their work, and a company our customers can count on.
Our Core Values:
Perseverance / Integrity / Family / Stability / Competency
Job Summary:
The Buyer plays a critical role in overseeing the purchasing function across the organization, with a focus on centralizing procurement processes and creating consistency across multiple locations. This role is responsible for sourcing HVAC/R equipment, tools, and materials, managing vendor relationships, and ensuring that procurement activities support project timelines, budget objectives, and operational needs. The Buyer also oversees bulk purchasing of high-volume commodities such as copper, steel, and refrigerant, working to secure competitive pricing and maintain reliable supply levels to support field operations.
In addition to handling day-to-day purchasing tasks such as issuing purchase orders and tracking deliveries, the Buyer is tasked with developing standardized protocols, analyzing inventory trends, forecasting demand, and maintaining optimal stock levels. The position requires strong collaboration with internal teams as well as external vendors, to ensure accurate, timely, and cost-effective purchasing.
Roles and Responsibilities:
- Develop and implement standardized, centralized purchasing processes to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and reduce costs across all company locations.
- Establish clear protocols, documentation, and training to ensure consistent adoption and continuous improvement.
- Identify, source, and procure HVAC/R equipment, components, tools, materials, and bulk supplies including copper, refrigerant, steel, and other critical commodities that align with project specifications, budget constraints, and delivery timelines.
- Generate and manage purchase orders, ensuring accuracy and alignment with procurement requirements.
- Monitor order status, coordinate with vendors, and proactively track deliveries to job sites or warehouse locations to ensure materials arrive on time and support uninterrupted project execution.
- Monitor and maintain optimal inventory levels of HVAC/R parts, tools, and materials by analyzing usage trends and project demands. Oversee restocking processes for frequently used items to ensure availability, minimize downtime, and support efficient field operations.
- Investigate and resolve discrepancies related to purchase orders, deliveries, and vendor invoices. Collaborate with suppliers and internal teams to reconcile issues promptly, ensuring accurate billing, timely payments, and continuity of supply.
- Stay current with HVAC/R industry trends, emerging technologies, and new product offerings. Leverage market insights to inform purchasing decisions, support operational efficiency, and recommend innovative solutions that enhance service delivery and cost-effectiveness.
- Forecast demand and develop strategic purchasing plans by analyzing inventory trends, historical usage data, sales projections, and seasonal demand cycles. Ensure timely procurement of materials to support project timelines, reduce excess inventory, and optimize operational efficiency.
- Negotiate contracts and terms by leading discussions with suppliers to secure the best pricing, payment terms, shipping schedules, and product specifications.
- Monitor supplier performance and evaluate vendor service, quality, delivery reliability, and responsiveness, and make changes as necessary.
- Collaborate with sales, merchandising, product development, and finance teams to align product availability and timing.
- Track purchase and product performance and analyze data on purchased goods (e.g., sales, returns, margins) to inform future buying decisions.
- Manage budgets and cost targets to stay within budget constraints and find opportunities to reduce costs or increase profitability through smart sourcing.
- Handle purchase lifecycle by overseeing the buying process from requisition to delivery, ensuring timeliness and accuracy.
- Approve samples and product specs through methods such as reviewing prototypes or samples to ensure alignment with quality and brand standards before bulk purchases.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Supervises:
Staff supporting various functions of the buying process (both direct and dotted-line reports).
Minimum Requirements:
- Associate or bachelor's degree in supply chain management, business, or a related field (or equivalent work experience).
- 5+ years of purchasing or procurement experience, preferably in the HVAC/R, construction, or mechanical services industry.
- Vaid driver's license.
- Understanding of supply chain principles, vendor relations, and purchasing best practices.
- Proficient in using procurement or ERP software (Sage, QuickBooks, SAP, or similar).
- Strong Microsoft Excel and general computer skills.
- Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.
- Strong negotiation and vendor management abilities.
- Ability to analyze inventory trends and forecast demand.
- Clear and professional communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Familiarity with HVAC/R systems, tools, materials, and related product lines is highly preferred.
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods of time.
- Occasional lifting, carrying, or moving of materials and packages up to 50lbs.
- Frequent use of hands for typing, data entry, and handling small tools or equipment.
- Visual acuity to read documents, use a computer, and inspect materials or equipment as needed.
- Occasional travel between company locations, warehouses, or vendor sites.
- Ability to work in a typical office setting as well as warehouse or shop environments with varying temperatures and noise levels.
Why You'll Love Working Here!
- Great Hours - No Nights or Weekends - enjoy a consistent daytime schedule that supports your personal life and well-being.
- Comprehensive Health Coverage - including a company-matched HSA to support your wellness and financial goals.
- Fully Paid Benefits - dental, life, and short-term disability insurance at no cost to you.
- Secure Your Future - with a 401(k) and profit-sharing opportunities to help you plan ahead.
- Work-Life Balance - paid vacation, holidays, and sick time so you can rest, recharge, and take care of what matters most.
- Supportive, Team-Oriented Culture - work alongside people who genuinely care about doing great work together.
- Family-Owned Values - you're not just a number; you're part of a respected team.
- Growth Opportunities - we believe in promoting from within and providing the tools you need to succeed.
- Low Turnover & Long-Term Stability - many of our team members have built lasting careers here.
EEO/AA/M/F/Vets/Disabled
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SCR
$65,000 - $80,000
sick time, 401(k)
Jul 11, 2025