Purchasing Specialist

Purchasing Specialist

We are looking for a Purchasing Specialist to oversee procurement activities for assigned product lines in Richmond, Virginia. This position plays a central role in maintaining material availability, strengthening supplier partnerships, and supporting production goals through effective sourcing and purchasing decisions. The ideal candidate brings strong commercial judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to work closely with cross-functional teams to improve cost, quality, and delivery performance.

Responsibilities:

• Manage purchasing activities for designated product categories, ensuring timely placement of orders to support manufacturing schedules and inventory needs.
• Build and maintain productive supplier relationships by monitoring service levels, quality results, delivery performance, and overall value.
• Prepare and review supplier quotes for engineering and operational needs, securing competitive pricing and appropriate commercial terms.
• Partner with production, engineering, and internal support teams to align material requirements, specifications, and lead times.
• Identify, evaluate, and establish new suppliers to strengthen supply continuity and expand sourcing options for assigned commodities.
• Negotiate pricing arrangements, contractual terms, and supply agreements to improve cost efficiency while protecting business needs.
• Address purchasing issues such as order discrepancies, delayed shipments, and supply interruptions with a proactive, solution-focused approach.
• Analyze demand signals and production plans to anticipate material needs and support effective forecasting and replenishment decisions.
• Contribute to continuous improvement efforts across procurement, receiving, and invoice-related workflows to increase efficiency and accuracy.
• Provide backup support for other purchasing team members and assist with supplier reviews, audits, and quality-focused initiatives as needed.