Executive Summary & Role Purpose
W.G. Yates & Sons Construction Company is seeking a results-driven Buyer to join our Yates Industrial Division in Birmingham, Alabama.
The Buyer is responsible for managing end-to-end procurement and expediting activities for equipment packages, bulk materials, and specialized subcontracts supporting heavy industrial projects across the Pulp & Paper, Chemical Process, Industrial Power and Specialty Metals sectors.
This role requires deep competency in procuring raw materials, structural steel, process piping, valves, and bulk consumables for self-perform direct-hire craft teams, as well as negotiating and managing commercial agreements for specialty subcontracts.
Key Responsibilities & Principal Duties
A. Bulk & Material Procurement
- Procure major bulk material packages (structural steel, carbon/stainless/alloy process piping, valves, fittings, civil consumables, and electrical/instrumentation bulks).
- Source and secure process equipment, specialty tools, and heavy construction equipment.
- Interface with Yates Engineering and Project Controls to align Material Take-Offs (MTOs), "make-to-order" specifications, and bill-of-materials with project schedule milestones.
B. Subcontract Management & Commercial Agreements (20% Focus)
- Compile, issue, and evaluate RFQs for specialized subcontract packages (e.g., heavy rigging, refractory, specialized insulation, non-destructive testing/NDT, and heat treatment).
- Develop "Special Conditions of Purchase" and subcontracts that incorporate project-specific prime contract terms, flow-down clauses, and agreed qualifications.
- Negotiate best available pricing, commercial discounts, payment milestones, and progress payments aligned with key project deliverables.
C. Sourcing & Commercial Evaluations
- Pre-qualify suppliers and specialty subcontractors, utilizing approved vendor lists while identifying single-source justifications when necessary.
- Issue RFQs and coordinate bid clarifications via the Yates Supply Chain system.
- Develop comprehensive Commercial Bid Evaluations (CBEs) and partner with Engineering on Technical Bid Evaluations (TBEs) to support "Approved for Purchase" scopes.
- Host bid clarification meetings and negotiate terms and conditions, elevating risk qualifications to Supply Chain Management as required.
D. Expediting, Quality & Materials Control
- Conduct supplier kick-off meetings to confirm scope of supply, drawing/data submittal procedures, and production schedules.
- Expedite supplier submission of DDSR (Document Delivery Schedule & Requirements) documentation, drawings, and progress status reports to avoid manufacturing or jobsite delays.
- Coordinate with Quality Control (QC) to ensure regular shop inspections and compliance with tactical quality plans.
- Liaise with the site Materials Controller on shipping release notes, delivery schedules, and Over, Short, & Damaged (OSD) registers.
E. Financial Administration & Purchase Order Closeout
- Issue and manage Purchase Orders (POs) and change orders through the Yates Supply Chain system, managing cost and schedule variations.
- Ensure invoice compliance against PO milestones, bank guarantees, and delivery verification prior to approving payments.
- Manage the procurement lifecycle through point of delivery, documentation completion, invoice reconciliation, and commercial PO closeout.
Required Qualifications & Competencies
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management, Construction Management, Business, or Engineering preferred (or equivalent combination of formal education and heavy industrial procurement experience).
- 5+ years of direct purchasing and expediting experience in heavy industrial construction, process equipment, and bulk material.
- Demonstrated experience in heavy industrial sectors: Pulp & Paper, Chemical Processing, Power, or Specialty Metals.
- Proven understanding of direct-hire self-perform material logistics and subcontractor management models.
Technical Skills & Systems Competency
- Systems Proficiency: Hands-on experience with enterprise materials management systems, procurement tracking tools, and ERP platforms (YPS, Project Sight).
- Microsoft Office: Advanced proficiency in MS Excel (data modeling, cost tracking, lookup functions) and MS Word.
- Commercial T&Cs: Strong working knowledge of commercial terms, legal indemnities, warranties, and flow-down contract provisions.
Soft Skills & Core Values
- Strong negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving skills under tight jobsite schedules.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills for working with internal project discipline leads, craft superintendents, and external suppliers.
- Strict adherence to Yates Core Values, Principles, Code of Conduct, and Safety Responsibilities.
Work Location & Travel Expectations
- Primary Base: Yates Construction Industrial Division Office – Birmingham, Alabama.
- Travel Requirement: Occasional travel to job sites, manufacturing shop facilities, and vendor locations for pre-award audits or expediting reviews (approx. 10% – 15%).
Summary of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Schedule Adherence: On-time material and equipment delivery to site matching direct-hire craft schedules.
- Cost Savings & Commercial Terms: Realization of negotiated discounts, favorable payment terms, and minimization of change orders.
- OSD & Quality Resolution: Zero unresolved Over, Short, or Damaged reports and complete documentation turn-over prior to closeout.
- PO Closeout Compliance: Efficient invoice processing and commercial PO closeout upon final delivery.
Physical Demands/Essential Job Functions:
This job description reflects an assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. Physical requirements for this role may include but are not limited to walking, standing, operating tools/equipment, and lifting items (up to 25 lbs.). Tasks may also be carried out in varied weather conditions and environments as applicable to the position.
About Yates Construction
Ranked among the top commercial and industrial construction companies in the country by Engineering News-Record, Yates Construction is family-owned and provides a wide range of construction and building services. Incorporated in 1964 by William G. Yates Jr., we have steadily grown to become one of the top commercial and industrial construction companies in the nation. We are financially sound, with a significant bonding capacity and vast personnel and equipment resources.
Our portfolio includes commercial and industrial projects from various sectors, including arts and culture, civil, commercial, education, entertainment and gaming, federal, healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, municipal, retail, and technology. We work hard to understand our client’s business needs and continually look for opportunities to provide additional value to our clients and their projects.
Our client relationships are the foundation of our success, and our primary goal is to help each of our clients achieve their vision. We do this by carefully managing the details and complexities of each project and communicating constantly with all team members.
Yates Construction provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal and state law requirements.
Yates complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.