Purchasing Agent

Responsibilities

• Procurement and Supplier Management
  • Sourcing materials and negotiating contracts.
  • Managing supplier relationships and monitoring performance.
  • Obtaining and comparing quotes from mills, service centers, and distributors.
  • Evaluating suppliers on price, availability, lead time, and quality.
  • Purchasing all materials to schedule, special requirements, location, and budget.
  • Reviewing material specifications to determine optimal nesting and purchase quantities.
  • Accurately processing purchase orders in a timely manner.
  • Staying knowledgeable on current market conditions and adjusting buying patterns accordingly.
• Inventory Control
  • Monitoring stock levels and forecasting demand.
  • Minimizing costs while preventing shortages or overstocking.
  • Coordinating with production to implement Just‑in‑Time (JIT) strategies as appropriate.
  • Tracking material usage and waste.
• Logistics and Delivery Coordination
  • Scheduling deliveries to align with fabrication timelines.
  • Arranging freight and transportation as needed.
  • Tracking shipments and resolving delays.
• Purchase Order (PO) Management
  • Creating and issuing purchase orders.
  • Verifying quantity specifications and delivery dates.
  • Ensuring compliance with specifications.
  • Reconciling and approving invoices against purchase orders and received materials.
• Coordination with Project Management, Production Planning, Production, and Field
  • Reviewing advanced bills of materials.
  • Clarifying material grades and certifications to meet ASTM standards.
  • Communicating lead times to internal departments.
  • Supporting change orders and material revisions.
  • Providing purchasing schedules for each project.
  • Offering technical assistance on specific products.
• Risk Management
  • Anticipating supply‑chain disruptions.
  • Developing backup suppliers for critical materials.
  • Managing contract risks and terms.
• Quality and Compliance
  • Ensuring materials meet required specifications.
  • Obtaining mill test reports (MTRs).
  • Resolving material discrepancies or defects with suppliers.
• Process Improvement
  • Analyzing supply‑chain data to identify bottlenecks.
  • Developing strategies to enhance efficiency and reduce costs.
  • Implementing new workflows for procurement, inventory, and logistics.
  • Optimizing the flow of goods and services from sourcing to delivery.
• Additional duties may be assigned as needed to meet business requirements.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five (5) years of directly related purchasing experience in the steel fabrication industry.
• High school diploma or equivalent; related procurement education or experience is acceptable.
• Core competencies:
  • Action oriented and energetic.
  • Timely decision making under pressure.
  • Effective time management and prioritization.
  • Integrity and trustworthiness.
  • Strong functional/technical knowledge of procurement processes.
  • Clear written communication skills.
  • Business acumen and awareness of market trends.
  • Conflict management and negotiation skills.
  • Customer focus and relationship building.
  • High decision quality based on analysis and judgment.
  • Planning and scheduling ability.
  • Priority setting and focus on critical tasks.
  • Problem‑solving using rigorous logic.

Specialized Knowledge

• Basic business and purchasing principles.
• Understanding of steel construction materials and requirements.
• Familiarity with advanced bills of materials, bills of lading, and purchase order processing.
• Strong knowledge of raw materials, steel mills, and distribution partners.
• Complete understanding of mill buying parameters and SOX‑related buying requirements.
• Awareness of LEED/EPD standards where applicable.

Software & Technology

• Microsoft Windows, Word, Excel, Outlook.
• Bluebeam PDF software.
• Oracle (procurement/work environment).

Work Environment

This position is primarily indoor and may require sitting for extended periods (eight or more hours per day). Occasional standing and the ability to lift or move up to 40 lb are required. The role may demand long days, including evenings and weekends, to meet daily and weekly obligations.

Reasonable accommodations will be made for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.