Parts & Procurement Specialist

Central Power Systems & Services•Tracy, MO

17d•Onsite

About The Position

Central Power Systems & Services is seeking a Parts & Procurement Specialist to support their Generator Manufacturing Division. This role is crucial for maintaining production flow by ensuring the timely availability of raw materials, fabricated parts, and other necessary components. The company values individuals who are humble, hungry, and smart, emphasizing learning, ownership, problem-solving, and collaboration. The Parts & Procurement Specialist will be responsible for supporting the purchasing and material needs of the division, developing and releasing purchase orders, monitoring orders, and resolving material issues that could affect production schedules. This position requires close collaboration with vendors, Production, Engineering, Warehouse, and Procurement leadership to ensure material availability, responsible inventory management, and cost-effective production. The ideal candidate is a quick learner, highly organized, possesses knowledge of steel commodities, and can source hard-to-find materials. They must be able to make sound purchasing decisions balancing price, quality, availability, lead time, inventory, and production needs, with a primary focus on keeping production moving.

Requirements

Previous purchasing, procurement, material planning, inventory, or related manufacturing experience.
Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, production-driven environment.
Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Ability to communicate effectively with vendors and internal departments.
Strong computer skills and ability to learn and navigate ERP/MRP systems.
Ability to research products, materials, vendors, pricing, and availability independently.
Ability to work collaboratively while also taking ownership of individual responsibilities.

Nice To Haves

Experience purchasing steel, metal, fabricated components, or other manufacturing materials.
Experience working within a manufacturing environment.
Experience with an ERP/MRP system.
Knowledge of conventional steel sizes, grades, and material specifications.
Experience with subcontracted manufacturing processes such as powder coating, fabrication, or other outsourced services.
Experience with material planning, production scheduling, or inventory control.
Previous experience expediting materials or managing vendor lead times.

Responsibilities

Develop and release purchase orders based on material requirements, production schedules, inventory levels, and established purchasing processes.
Work closely with vendors to ensure raw materials, purchased components, and other required items are available and delivered according to schedule.
Coordinate with subcontract vendors for powder coating, fabricated parts, and other outsourced production requirements.
Research vendor websites, databases, catalogs, and other resources to identify sources, pricing, availability, and product information.
Convert material requirements into purchase orders based on conventional sizes, quantities, specifications, and production needs.
Schedule deliveries based on production forecasts and required production dates.
Compare suppliers and purchasing options to obtain the best overall value while meeting quality and delivery requirements.
Identify difficult-to-source materials and develop solutions to support production requirements.
Maintain accurate purchasing records, supplier information, and supporting documentation.
Monitor material requirements and determine when additional supplies may need to be ordered due to production requirements, material rejections, shortages, or engineering changes.
Retrieve, enter, and maintain material and purchasing information within the company's Material Requirements Planning (MRP)/ERP system.
Monitor open and planned orders to ensure materials are completed and delivered according to promised dates.
Proactively expedite orders and communicate issues that could impact production.
Escalate and assist in resolving material shortages, vendor delays, quality issues, and other concerns that could prevent timely production.
Work closely with Production, Engineering, Warehouse, and the Procurement Manager regarding priorities, production holds, throughput, capacity issues, part shortages, and engineering changes affecting released orders.
Identify and research parts and materials using engineering software, drawings, specifications, and related systems.
Work closely with production and warehouse personnel to ensure materials are available when needed.
Support effective inventory management and material availability.
Assist with resolving vendor and material-related issues that could impact production schedules or customer commitments.
Understand purchasing and pricing principles, including volume pricing, discounts, surcharges, market fluctuations, and their impact on total cost.
Identify opportunities to reduce purchasing costs while maintaining quality, availability, and delivery requirements.
Compare suppliers, pricing, lead times, and purchasing options to ensure the company receives the best overall value.
Document purchasing cost savings and cost-avoidance opportunities.
Monitor market conditions and material pricing trends that may affect purchasing decisions.
Help maintain strong control of raw-material and purchased-item inventory.
Monitor inventory levels and anticipate future material requirements.
Help establish and maintain appropriate inventory levels to support production without creating unnecessary excess inventory.
Monitor material usage and identify potential shortages or excess inventory.
Coordinate with Production, Warehouse, and Procurement to ensure material requirements are aligned with production needs.
Assist with inventory-related research, reconciliation, and problem resolution as needed.
Develop and maintain strong, professional working relationships with vendors and internal departments.
Communicate clearly and consistently regarding order status, delivery requirements, material availability, and potential issues.
Hold vendors accountable to agreed-upon pricing, quality, and delivery expectations.
Partner with internal teams to understand changing production priorities and respond accordingly.
Provide timely updates regarding material shortages, delays, and other issues affecting production.
Assist other team members as needed to ensure production and customer needs are met.
Identify opportunities to improve procurement processes, material availability, vendor performance, inventory management, and overall efficiency.
Recommend and implement process improvements that support production and reduce cost or waste.
Look for opportunities to improve supplier relationships, lead times, purchasing practices, and material flow.
Take ownership of problems and work proactively toward practical solutions.
Perform other duties as assigned.