Position Summary Sourcing, purchasing, and coordinating the timely delivery of materials, components, services, and supplies required to support manufacturing operations. This position works closely with Production, Engineering, Quality, Inventory, and suppliers to ensure materials are purchased at competitive costs, meet required specifications, and arrive on schedule. The ideal candidate has experience in a sheet metal fabrication or manufacturing environment and understands the purchasing requirements associated with steel, stainless steel, aluminum, hardware, fasteners, outside processing, and production supplies. Essential Duties and Responsibilities - Source and procure raw materials, components, hardware, tooling, and production supplies.
- Purchase steel, stainless steel, aluminum, galvanized sheet, plate, and other sheet metal materials based on production requirements.
- Obtain and evaluate supplier quotations for price, quality, lead time, and availability.
- Create and issue purchase orders in accordance with company procedures.
- Review purchase requisitions, material requirements, drawings, specifications, and inventory levels.
- Monitor open purchase orders and follow up with suppliers to ensure on-time delivery.
- Communicate material status and potential delays to Production, Planning, and Management.
- Coordinate purchasing of outside services such as powder coating, plating, anodizing, heat treating, laser cutting, machining, welding, and other subcontract operations as applicable.
- Develop and maintain relationships with qualified suppliers and subcontractors.
- Negotiate pricing, lead times, payment terms, and other commercial conditions.
- Identify alternative suppliers and materials to improve cost, quality, and availability.
- Review supplier acknowledgments and resolve discrepancies involving quantities, pricing, specifications, and delivery dates.
- Assist in resolving material shortages and expedite critical orders when necessary.
- Work with Quality to address supplier quality issues, nonconforming materials, and corrective actions.
- Maintain accurate supplier, purchasing, pricing, and purchase-order records in the ERP/MRP system.
- Monitor material costs and assist with cost-reduction and supplier-improvement initiatives.
- Support inventory control by balancing material availability with appropriate inventory levels.
- Assist with supplier qualification, evaluation, and performance monitoring.
- Ensure purchasing activities comply with customer requirements and company quality procedures.
- Maintain professional communication with suppliers and internal departments.
Qualifications - 2+ years of purchasing, procurement, or supply-chain experience, preferably in manufacturing.
- Experience with sheet metal, metal fabrication, contract manufacturing, or industrial production strongly preferred.
- Knowledge of steel, stainless steel, aluminum, hardware, fasteners, and other manufacturing materials.
- Experience purchasing outside processing and subcontract manufacturing services is a plus.
- Familiarity with ERP/MRP purchasing systems.
- Strong Microsoft Excel and computer skills.
- Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
- Strong attention to detail and follow-through.
- Ability to manage multiple purchase orders and priorities simultaneously.
- Strong negotiation and supplier-management skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively with Production, Engineering, Quality, Inventory, and Accounting.
Education and Experience Required: - High school diploma or equivalent.
- Relevant purchasing, procurement, supply-chain, or manufacturing experience.
Preferred: - Associate's or bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Manufacturing, or a related field.
- Previous experience in sheet metal fabrication or metal manufacturing.
Work Environment The Procurement Agent primarily works in an office environment but will regularly interact with manufacturing personnel and may spend time on the production floor reviewing material requirements, inventory, and production schedules. Proper safety procedures and PPE must be followed when entering manufacturing areas.
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