Manufacturing Buyer / Purchasing Specialist
About The Position
Kooks Headers & Exhaust is seeking an experienced Manufacturing Buyer / Purchasing Specialist to support our fast-paced manufacturing operation. This position is responsible for sourcing and purchasing raw materials, fabricated components, and operational supplies necessary to support production. The ideal candidate will have experience purchasing stainless steel materials, fabrication components, and manufacturing supplies in industries such as automotive, motorsports, metal fabrication, chassis building, exhaust manufacturing, or industrial manufacturing. The successful candidate must be highly organized, detail-oriented, able to work within an ERP-driven environment, and capable of managing vendor relationships, inventory demands, and production timelines. Experience with Infor Visual ERP is strongly preferred.
Requirements
- 3+ years of purchasing or procurement experience in a manufacturing environment required
- ERP system experience required
- Strong organizational and multitasking abilities
- Proven ability to manage vendors, negotiate pricing, and meet deadlines
- Self-motivated with the ability to take direction and work independently
- Strong communication and problem-solving skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and standard business software
- Proven history of reliability, accountability, and consistent performance
Nice To Haves
- Experience purchasing stainless steel materials, fabrication components, or industrial/manufacturing supplies strongly preferred
- Working knowledge of materials used in automotive, motorsports, chassis building, exhaust manufacturing, or metal fabrication industries preferred
- Infor Visual experience strongly preferred
- Automotive or motorsports manufacturing
- Metal fabrication or tube manufacturing
- Lean manufacturing, JIT inventory, or Kanban systems
- Freight logistics and supply chain coordination
- Understanding of material lead times, tariffs, and sourcing challenges
Responsibilities
- Purchase raw materials including stainless steel tubing, sheet, flanges, bends, hardware, fabrication materials, and MRO supplies
- Monitor inventory levels and proactively purchase materials to support production schedules
- Work closely with production, engineering, warehouse, and management teams to forecast material needs
- Maintain supplier relationships while negotiating pricing, delivery schedules, and lead times
- Expedite orders and resolve material shortages to avoid production downtime
- Track purchase orders, backorders, invoice discrepancies, and vendor performance
- Maintain accurate purchasing records within ERP system
- Assist with inventory control and continuous improvement initiatives
- Source new suppliers and evaluate cost-saving opportunities
- Support manufacturing operations in a deadline-driven environment
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
