Outside Services Purchasing Coordinator

Outside Services Purchasing Coordinator

The Outside Services Purchasing Coordinator is responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and managing subcontracted manufacturing services that support production operations. This role ensures cost-effective, high-quality, and on-time delivery of outsourced processes such as finishing, coating, heat treating, machining, and specialized fabrication across both plastic and metal components.

This position plays a critical role in maintaining production flow, optimizing supplier performance, and protecting margin in a high-mix, low-to-medium volume job shop environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Supplier Sourcing & Management
• Identify, qualify, and onboard suppliers for outside services (e.g., anodizing, powder coating, plating, heat treating, laser cutting, CNC overflow, injection molding support).
• Develop and maintain a strong, reliable supplier network with redundancy in key processes.
• Conduct regular supplier performance reviews (quality, delivery, cost competitiveness).
• Purchasing & Cost Control
• Solicit and evaluate quotes for outside services; negotiate pricing, lead times, and terms.
• Issue and manage purchase orders for subcontracted work.
• Drive cost reduction initiatives through vendor consolidation, negotiation, and process optimization.
• Monitor market pricing trends for key processes and materials.
• Production Coordination
• Work closely with production planning, engineering, and sales teams to align outsourcing decisions with delivery commitments.
• Ensure timely movement of parts to and from outside vendors.
• Expedite critical orders and resolve supply chain disruptions proactively.
• Quality & Compliance
• Partner with Quality to ensure suppliers meet specifications and standards.
• Address non-conformance issues, including root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Ensure compliance with customer requirements, certifications, and industry standards.
• Process Optimization
• Evaluate make vs. buy decisions based on capacity, cost, and strategic priorities.
• Identify opportunities to bring processes in-house or outsource more efficiently.
• Improve workflows related to outside processing (tracking, communication, logistics).
• Data & Systems Management
• Maintain accurate records in ERP/MRP systems (pricing, lead times, supplier data).
• Track KPIs such as on-time delivery, cost savings, supplier quality, and turnaround times.
• Generate reports to support operations and executive decision-making.

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5+ years of purchasing or supply chain experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience managing subcontracted or outside processing services.
• Strong negotiation and supplier management skills.
• Familiarity with plastics and/or metals manufacturing processes and GD&T.

Preferred

• Experience in a job shop or high-mix, low-volume production environment.
• Knowledge of finishing processes (anodizing, plating, painting, heat treating, etc.).
• Lean manufacturing or continuous improvement background.

Key Competencies

• Commercial acumen and cost discipline
• Urgency and problem-solving in a fast-paced environment
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration
• Attention to detail with ability to manage multiple priorities
• Supplier relationship management and negotiation

Performance Metrics

• On-time delivery from outside vendors
• Cost savings and margin improvement
• Supplier quality (PPM, rework rates)
• Lead time reduction
• Supplier base strength and redundancy

Work Environment

• Combination of office and shop floor interaction
• Frequent communication with vendors and internal teams
• Occasional travel to supplier facilities