Procurement Specialist

Description

The Procurement Specialist is responsible for sourcing, purchasing, and managing materials, supplies, and services required to support manufacturing operations. This position works closely with Production, Inventory Control, Logistics, Quality, Accounting, and suppliers to ensure materials are available when needed while maintaining cost efficiency, quality standards, and supplier performance. The Procurement Specialist supports strategic sourcing initiatives, inventory optimization, and continuous improvement efforts.

• Source raw materials, packaging, supplies, equipment, and services.
• Issue purchase orders and maintain purchasing records within the ERP system.
• Monitor open purchase orders and expedite deliveries as necessary.
• Maintain adequate inventory levels while minimizing excess inventory.
• Coordinate material purchases based on production schedules and demand forecasts.
• Review purchase requisitions for completeness and accuracy.
• Ensure purchased materials meet quality, pricing, and delivery expectations.
• Maintain purchasing documentation and vendor files.

• Develop and maintain positive relationships with suppliers.
• Request and evaluate supplier quotations.
• Negotiate pricing, delivery schedules, payment terms, and service agreements.
• Monitor supplier performance related to quality, delivery, responsiveness, and cost.
• Assist with identifying and qualifying new suppliers.
• Coordinate supplier corrective actions when necessary.

• Work with Inventory Control to monitor stock levels.
• Review inventory reports and recommend replenishment strategies.
• Assist in reducing obsolete or excess inventory.
• Monitor safety stock levels.
• Support cycle counts and annual physical inventories.
• Coordinate emergency purchases when inventory shortages occur.

Collaborate with:

• Production
• Scheduling
• Customer Service
• Warehouse
• Logistics
• Accounting
• Quality Assurance
• Research & Development

• Identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Analyze pricing trends and market conditions.
• Support annual budgeting initiatives.
• Recommend alternative suppliers and materials.
• Monitor purchase price variances.

• Maintain accurate supplier and purchasing information within ERP systems.
• Generate purchasing reports and analyze procurement metrics.
• Review purchasing data for accuracy.
• Maintain electronic purchasing records and documentation.
• Support implementation of purchasing system improvements.

• Ensure compliance with company purchasing policies.
• Follow ethical sourcing and procurement practices.
• Support ISO Quality Management System requirements.
• Maintain confidentiality of supplier pricing and contracts.
• Comply with all company safety policies.

This position does not normally supervise employees but may assist with training new Purchasing personnel.

Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in:

• Supply Chain Management
• Business Administration
• Operations Management
• Purchasing
• Related field

Equivalent experience may be considered.

• 3+ years of purchasing or procurement experience.
• Manufacturing experience preferred.
• ERP purchasing experience required.
• Experience negotiating with suppliers.
• Inventory management experience preferred.

• Strong negotiation skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Vendor relationship management
• Organization and planning
• Analytical thinking
• Attention to detail
• Problem solving
• Time management
• Microsoft Excel proficiency
• ERP software experience (Dynamics GP, Sales Pad, SAP, Oracle, etc.)
• Ability to prioritize multiple purchasing activities

• Accountability
• Customer Focus (Internal &…