Purchasing Specialist

Job Summary

Purchasing Specialist Location: Houston, TX (Hybrid) Department: Operations Employment Type: Full-Time

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage supplier relationships to support inventory availability, service objectives, and customer confidence
• Procure inventory, non-stock items, and services in support of business operations and customer requirements
• Create, maintain, and expedite purchase orders to ensure timely delivery and continuity of supply
• Maintain inventory levels and purchasing requirements to maintain appropriate stock levels while supporting inventory management objectives
• Communicate with suppliers regarding pricing, lead times, order status, and delivery commitments
• Utilize SAP, Zendesk, and other business systems to manage purchasing activities, supplier communications, and order tracking
• Resolve supplier, product, and order-related issues through effective troubleshooting and cross-functional collaboration
• Partner with Sales, Customer Service, Warehouse, and Operations teams to support customer requirements and business priorities
• Analyze purchasing, inventory, and supplier performance data to identify trends and support decision-making
• Maintain accurate purchasing records, supplier information, and system data integrity
• Contribute to continuous improvement efforts by identifying process gaps, inefficiencies, and opportunities to improve service, quality, and cost performance
• Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and quality system requirements
• Support departmental goals related to service, inventory management, supplier performance, and operational excellence

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in a related field preferred, or equivalent experience
• Minimum 3 years of purchasing, buying, or procurement experience in a manufacturing or distribution environment
• Experience with ERP systems required (SAP preferred)
• Zendesk or similar ticketing system experience is a plus
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel

Required Skills and Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent organization and attention to detail
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Customer-focused mindset
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to work independently and make sound decisions
• Proven ability to build and maintain supplier relationships