Buyer​/Purchasing Agent

Houston, TX | Temp-to-Hire | $65,000–$70,000+ DOE
Lofton Staffing – Industrial Supply Opportunity

Lofton Staffing is hiring a Buyer / Purchasing Agent for a temp-to-hire industrial distribution role in Houston
. This position is responsible for purchasing MRO, industrial supply, and wholesale distribution products
, managing vendor relationships, and supporting inventory availability, pricing accuracy, and margin performance
.

This role is best suited for candidates with industrial distribution purchasing experience (not manufacturing procurement). Experience in SKU-heavy environments, fast-moving inventory, and vendor negotiation is strongly preferred.

Purchase industrial supply and MRO products in a high-SKU distribution environment

Manage purchase orders from issuance through delivery and receipt

Maintain optimal inventory levels based on demand, turns, and usage trends

Analyze pricing, cost changes, and product margins

Negotiate pricing, terms, and lead times with suppliers

Monitor vendor performance and resolve purchasing discrepancies

Expedite orders and manage backorders to ensure product availability

Work with ERP systems to maintain accurate purchasing and inventory data

Partner with sales, warehouse, and operations teams to support demand

Identify opportunities to improve inventory turns, cost savings, and profitability

Support continuous improvement in purchasing processes and vendor strategy

3+ years of experience as a Buyer, Purchasing Agent, or similar role

Industrial distribution / wholesale distribution experience strongly preferred

Background in MRO, fasteners, safety, electrical, PVF, or industrial supply products

Experience managing SKU-based inventory environments

Strong understanding of margins, pricing, and cost analysis

ERP system experience required (any major system)

Advanced Excel and analytical skills

Strong vendor communication and negotiation skills

Ability to thrive in a fast-paced distribution environment

Industrial supply distributors such as:

MRO supply

Safety/PPE distribution

Electrical supply distribution

Branch-based or warehouse-supported purchasing environment

Experience improving inventory turns and supplier performance

Exposure to pricing strategy or margin optimization