Jobs › Silgan

Procurement Parts Buyer

Silgan · Brookfield, WI · Full time

Posted Jul 16, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 5, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a supplier negotiation where you saved money without hurting quality.

What they are checking: Whether they negotiate with an eye on total cost, quality and reliability.

Tell me about a time you had to work with Finance on a budget or cost issue.

What they are checking: Whether they can explain purchasing decisions in financial terms and meet cost goals.

What would you do

A critical part fails on a 24/7 line and the OEM says it's six weeks out. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they can find alternatives, expedite and work with maintenance to protect plant uptime.

Maintenance wants an expensive OEM part, but you find a cheaper equivalent. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they work with engineering on equivalency instead of overriding the people who use the part.

How do you handle an urgent request at night or on the weekend for a plant that never stops?

What they are checking: Whether they have a plan for emergencies in a nonstop manufacturing environment.

What do you do when the parts you receive don't match what you ordered?

What they are checking: Whether they fix supplier errors fast and prevent repeats through clear feedback.

About the work

How do you read an engineering drawing to make sure you're ordering the right part?

What they are checking: Whether they can interpret specs and catch mismatches before a wrong part is ordered.

How do you decide how many spare parts to keep in stock?

What they are checking: Whether they balance downtime risk against inventory carrying cost using usage data.

What ERP systems have you used for purchasing, and how do you keep records clean?

What they are checking: Whether they use the system accurately so finance and maintenance can trust the data.

How do you measure and manage supplier performance?

What they are checking: Whether they track on-time delivery, quality and pricing and act on poor performers.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Silgan.

Silgan Containers is hiring a full‑time, fully on‑site Procurement Parts Buyer / Manufacturing Buyer / MRO Buyer in Waukesha, WI, to support continuous, high‑volume manufacturing operations by sourcing and procuring spare parts, OEM components, production equipment parts, tooling, and MRO supplies. This role partners with Plant Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, and Finance to ensure plant uptime, manage supplier performance, execute inventory management and cost control, and support 24/7 manufacturing environments, making it well suited for candidates with experience in manufacturing procurement, industrial purchasing, MRO supply chain management, ERP systems, supplier negotiations, and technical part specifications. Why Join Silgan • Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability coverage. • 401k retirement plan with company match. • Paid vacation and holidays. • Tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities. • A culture built on safety, quality, teamwork, and continuous improvement. What You’ll Do • Source and procure spare parts, OEM components, engineered tooling, and MRO materials to facilitate continuous manufacturing operations. • Interpret technical specifications, engineering drawings, and equipment documentation to ensure accurate and compliant purchasing. • Manage purchase orders, monitor lead times, and proactively expedite deliveries to avoid production downtime. • Execute strategic sourcing and cost‑reduction initiatives, including supplier negotiations and agreement management. • Optimize inventory levels and MRO supply chains, maintain accurate data and planning parameters in ERP/MRP systems. • Monitor supplier performance related to quality, delivery, and service, and resolve issues as needed. • Partner with operations, maintenance, engineering, and receiving teams to back production reliability. • Track and report procurement KPIs such as cost savings, fill rate, and inventory turns; assist with invoice discrepancies. • Participate in on‑call rotations. What You’ll Need • Associate degree in Industrial Maintenance, Manufacturing Technology, Mechanical, or Tooling Technology preferred; equivalent experience (technical training, apprenticeship, or military) considered • 3 or more years of purchasing or procurement experience in a manufacturing environment • Experience with spare parts, OEM components, tooling, and MRO procurement • Background partnering with Operations, Maintenance, and Engineering teams • Exposure to metalworking, machining, or tooling environments a plus • Proficiency with ERP systems and Microsoft Office (JD Edwards/JDE preferred) • Ability to read blueprints, technical drawings, and equipment documentation • Proven success in supplier negotiation, inventory management, and cost savings • Strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment • CMRP certification (or progress toward certification) preferred Who We Are: • A global Fortune 500 packaging company with 109 manufacturing facilities across North and South America, Europe, and Asia. • A supplier of sustainable metal and plastic packaging solutions for food, beverage, healthcare, home, personal care, and beauty products. • A company that strives toward sustainability by reducing our carbon footprint, selecting like-minded suppliers, and providing recyclable products. Take The Next Step Apply today to join Silgan Containers as a Procurement Parts Buyer / Manufacturing Buyer in Waukesha, WI. LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the position. All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State Laws. Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment remains on an “at-will” basis. Silgan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, or the presence of a disability, which would not prevent the performance of essential job duties with, or without reasonable accommodation of any other protective status. Silgan is a drug-free workplace. LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State Laws. Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment remains on an “at-will” basis. Silgan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, or the presence of a disability, which would not prevent the performance of essential job duties with, or without reasonable accommodation of any other protective status. Silgan is a drug-free workplace.

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