Purchasing Specialist – Electric Distribution Grid Portfolio

Location: Fairburn, GA
Job Type: Full-Time

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Purchasing Specialist to support a large-scale electric distribution grid portfolio in Fairburn, Georgia. This role is responsible for managing an annual procurement portfolio of approximately $15 million, securing highly engineered utility equipment and high-volume consumable materials essential to distribution grid operations.

The ideal candidate will possess strong procurement, inventory management, logistics coordination, and supplier relationship management experience within utility, infrastructure, construction, or industrial environments. This position plays a critical role in ensuring material availability for field operations while optimizing inventory levels and controlling working capital.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Procurement

• Manage the complete sourcing, bidding, negotiation, and purchasing process for utility-grade equipment and consumable materials.
• Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships to ensure competitive pricing, quality, and delivery performance.
• Evaluate supplier capabilities and support contract negotiations to achieve favorable commercial terms.

Inventory Management

• Monitor inventory levels and analyze material demand to establish and maintain appropriate reorder points and safety stock levels.
• Balance material availability with inventory carrying costs and working capital objectives.
• Conduct inventory analysis to prevent stockouts while minimizing excess inventory.

Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Oversight

• Provide operational oversight of third-party logistics providers responsible for warehousing, receiving, inventory control, and material distribution.
• Monitor logistics performance and ensure compliance with established service-level agreements.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives to enhance material tracking accuracy and warehouse efficiency.

Field Subcontractor Coordination

• Serve as the primary supply chain contact for multiple active field subcontractors.
• Coordinate material allocation, staging, and delivery to support project schedules and field operations.
• Resolve material shortages, delivery challenges, and logistics issues to minimize project disruptions.

Financial & Supply Chain Performance Management

• Manage an annual procurement spend of approximately $15 million.
• Identify and implement cost-saving and cost-avoidance opportunities.
• Develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for suppliers, logistics providers, and subcontractors.
• Ensure accountability, contract compliance, and continuous performance improvement across the supply chain.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive procurement and supply chain experience.
• Experience supporting utility infrastructure, electric distribution systems, heavy industrial operations, or engineered equipment procurement.
• Strong background in inventory planning, lead-time management, reorder point calculations, and safety stock optimization.
• Experience managing third-party logistics providers and coordinating with multiple contractors or subcontractors.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including advanced Excel skills.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, communication, and organizational abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of utility industry regulations and standards, including familiarity with FERC, NERC, and state utility commission requirements.
• Experience using IBM Maximo Asset Management or similar ERP/asset management systems.
• Professional certifications such as:
  • Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM)
  • Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)
• Experience supporting electric utility distribution, transmission, or grid modernization projects.

Desired Skills

• Strategic sourcing and supplier management
• Inventory optimization and demand planning
• Supply chain analytics and reporting
• Contract negotiation and administration
• Logistics and warehouse operations oversight
• Utility materials and equipment procurement
• ERP and asset management systems
• Cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management

Additional Information

This position offers the opportunity to play a key role in supporting critical electric utility infrastructure projects. The successful candidate will help ensure the timely delivery of essential materials while driving supply chain efficiency, cost control, and operational excellence across a complex field construction environment.

No third-party recruiters or C2C firms, please.