Technical Procurement Analyst — Water & Wastewater Infrastructure
Let’s get specific. Can you do the following?
Role context
Company: Thompson Pipe Group – Pressure | Location: Grand Prairie, TX 75050 | Department: Central Purchasing
Reporting line: Vice President of Purchasing | Team leadership: None (individual contributor)
**FLSA Status:
**Full-Time, Non-Exempt
Core challenges (yes/no?)
Yes to turning AWWA/ASTM/ANSI specifications and detailed engineering drawings into exact purchasing requirements for concrete, steel, and FRP pressure pipe projects?
Yes to evaluating alternates that fully meet technical/quality standards while improving cost, availability, and lead time?
Yes to sourcing and qualifying vendors for steel, cement, aggregate, resin, gaskets, coatings, and outsourced components—and maintaining an approved supplier base?
Yes to negotiating pricing, payment terms, lead times, and volume deals that protect schedules, cost targets, and margin objectives?
Yes to building supplier relationships, conducting performance reviews, and resolving disputes constructively?
Yes to supporting high-volume project purchasing across multiple plants?
Yes to reading engineering buyout lists, verifying against drawings, and fixing discrepancies between documents?
Yes to using ERP (IFS) and the Purchasing Tracker to analyze daily demand, identify shortages, and drive next actions?
Yes to coordinating with Production, Engineering, Receiving, and Project Management to eliminate material bottlenecks?
Yes to issuing POs, confirming acknowledgments, tracking supplier schedules, and ensuring on-time delivery?
Yes to watching commodity markets (steel, cement, resin, and more) and adjusting strategy accordingly?
Yes to maintaining accurate records, reporting cost savings, and improving purchasing processes?
What you’ll need to say “yes” confidently
Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and industry standards (AWWA/ASTM/ANSI) tied to pressure pipe manufacturing.
Proven negotiation skills for price, terms, and lead time optimization.
Experience qualifying alternative materials/suppliers and managing ongoing vendor relationships.
Analytical problem solver with attention to detail and strong organization.
Comfort operating in a fast-moving manufacturing environment with multiple priorities.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills across teams and levels.
Microsoft Office (especially Excel) proficiency; ERP exposure (IFS or similar) preferred.
Self-starter mentality with a collaborative mindset.
Knowledge of water/wastewater markets and commodities (steel, cement, resin, aggregate) is a plus.
Background that helps
Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Purchasing, Logistics, Business Administration, Engineering, or related field preferred.
2–3 years of purchasing/procurement work, ideally in manufacturing.