Job Description

Quanex is looking for a Lumber Buyer to join our team located onsite in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

As the Lumber Buyer for hardwood and softwood lumber, you’ll be responsible for leading all lumber procurement activities for assigned areas to ensure manufacturing plants have the proper species, grades, and quantities of lumber to maintain the planned inventory goals. You are the key contact for lumber suppliers and will be accountable for initiating lumber purchases designed to provide the best price and quality while delivering the greatest yield efficiency for production.

Salary: $85,000 - $100,000 annually, with bonus potential. Starting salary varies based on your experience.

Work Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm. Weekly, same day travel is required.

We Offer You!

• Medical, dental & vision start the 1st of the month after hire
• Medical coverage featuring wellness incentives that may significantly reduce employee premiums
• PTO, ESST, paid holidays & paid training — starts right away
• 401(k) with company match & vesting
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Life insurance provided
• Tuition assistance
• Wellness resources & onsite physical therapist
• Free fountain drinks and coffee during shifts

What’s attractive about the Lumber Buyer role?

• Ability to make an immediate impact on the business.
• Utilize expertise for critical business function.
• Supportive and collaborative culture.
• World Class Safety records.

What Success Looks Like:

• Purchase lumber from sawmills and concentration yards according to company-wide inventory plans.
• Develop new lumber suppliers to maintain a diversified supplier base.
• Assist in monitoring the quality of incoming lumber and provide feedback to the suppliers regarding quality. Settle any lumber grade discrepancies when necessary.
• Communicate planned purchases and information that may affect the outcome of plant goals.
• Keep plant management informed of conditions in the supplier base which may affect the production goal.
• Issue purchase orders, maintain, and update purchase order system. Monitor lumber invoices to ensure prompt payment.
• Visit lumber suppliers, attend Lumber Association meetings such as IHLA, etc. to meet the business needs.
• Develop and maintain a high level of technical expertise in lumber handling systems and pre-dryer and kiln operations.
• Communicate with supplier to establish an even flow of lumber per week.
• Assist in coordinating lumber transfer between plants.
• Compute and analyze monetary differences between the companies’ grading tally vs. supplier invoice.
• Ability to relate to and communicate with small business owners.
• Monitor and address obsolete and slow-moving inventory.
• Must be willing to travel up to 10% overnight and 30% same day.

Your Credentials:

• Bachelor degree in Forestry or equivalent sawmill operations experience.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in lumber buying or equivalent experience.
• Working knowledge of NHLA grading rules.
• Strong math, leadership and organizational skills.
• Hardwood and softwood lumber purchasing and inventory management experience.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office applications including Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.

About Quanex, A Part of Something Bigger

Quanex (NYSE: NX) is a global, publicly traded manufacturing company primarily serving OEMs in the fenestration, cabinetry, solar, refrigeration and outdoor products markets. We are A Part of Something Bigger by improving the performance and aesthetics of end products through continuous innovation, helping customers achieve greater production efficiencies, dedication to giving back to communities where we operate, producing shareholder value and helping our employees learn, grow, and thrive. Learn more at Quanex.com.