We are a steel fabrication and manufacturing company seeking a resourceful and detail-oriented technical Purchaser to support our engineering, production and project teams.
This position is ideal for someone who enjoys researching products, solving sourcing problems and working with technical personnel to determine exactly what needs to be purchased.
The successful candidate does not need to know every product we purchase on day one. More importantly, they must be able to learn from our engineers and production personnel, understand technical purchasing requirements, ask the right questions, research products and suppliers, and follow through until the correct material or component is sourced and delivered.
Key Responsibilities
- Work directly with engineers, project personnel and production staff to understand purchasing requirements and technical specifications.
- Research products, materials, components, equipment and suppliers when a purchasing requirement is unfamiliar.
- Interpret information from drawings, bills of materials, specifications, part numbers, data sheets and manufacturer literature as applicable to purchasing.
- Obtain and compare quotations based on technical compliance, price, availability, lead time and delivery requirements.
- Identify alternative products or suppliers when requested items are unavailable or have unacceptable lead times, and obtain technical approval before substitutions are purchased.
- Source steel and fabrication materials, mechanical components, valves, fittings, fasteners, consumables, tools, equipment and other manufacturing requirements.
- Prepare and issue purchase orders and ensure descriptions, quantities, specifications, pricing and delivery information are accurate.
- Follow up with suppliers regarding order confirmations, production status, backorders and delivery dates.
- Expedite critical materials when required to support production and project schedules.
- Communicate purchasing or delivery problems to engineering, production and project personnel before they affect the work.
- Develop and maintain relationships with existing suppliers while researching and qualifying new sources.
- Maintain accurate purchasing records, quotations, supplier information and related documentation.
- Coordinate with receiving personnel when there are discrepancies involving quantities, damaged goods, incorrect materials or documentation.
- Assist with inventory and purchasing planning for commonly used materials and consumables.
- Look for opportunities to improve pricing, lead times, supplier performance and purchasing efficiency.
What We Are Looking For:
- Previous purchasing, procurement, sourcing or supply-chain experience, preferably in a manufacturing, fabrication, industrial or engineering environment.
- Strong ability to research unfamiliar products and locate appropriate suppliers.
- Comfortable working with engineers and technical personnel to clarify specifications and purchasing requirements.
- Able to compare products and quotations beyond price alone and recognize when technical clarification is required.
- Able to read and understand part numbers, product specifications, technical data sheets and basic information contained in drawings or bills of materials.
- Strong internet and supplier research skills.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple purchasing requirements, prioritize constantly, and track orders/requests meticulously.
- Persistent with supplier follow-up and comfortable obtaining information when answers are not immediately available.
- Good written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong attention to detail, particularly when dealing with specifications, quantities, dimensions, grades, materials and part numbers.
- Comfortable using Microsoft Office and computerized purchasing/ERP systems.
- Experience purchasing steel, industrial components or fabricated-product materials would be an asset.
The ideal candidate will be someone who will investigate rather than simply place an order. When given an unfamiliar purchasing requirement, you should be comfortable asking technical questions, researching manufacturers and suppliers, comparing options and working with our engineering team to determine the appropriate product.
Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.