Procurement Specialist

Aston Carter • Lexington, KY

31d • $28 - $31 • Onsite

About The Position

The Procurement Specialist supports a growing manufacturing organization by leading strategic purchasing, supplier management, and cost-saving initiatives. The role ensures parts, materials, and components are available to meet production demands while achieving quality, delivery, and cost objectives. The specialist partners with cross-functional teams to optimize the supply chain and influence product quality, cost reduction, and production performance.

This is a fully onsite, office-based position at a manufacturing facility in Lexington, Kentucky. The employee primarily works in an office, with visits to the warehouse as needed to support inventory and production activities. The schedule is Monday through Friday, typically 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Occasional travel to supplier locations is required. The role is contract to hire, with a pay range of $28.00–$31.00 per hour.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in business, supply chain, or a related field.
• At least 3 years of purchasing or buying experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of procurement principles, supplier negotiations, and cost analysis.
• Demonstrated experience in procurement, purchasing, and purchase order management.
• Experience with supplier performance management, contract and vendor management, and negotiation.
• Experience with supply-chain processes, procurement analysis, strategic sourcing, and source selection.
• Working knowledge of import logistics and international sourcing practices.
• Experience with ERP systems and Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Ability to read blueprints, bills of materials, and engineering documentation.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with engineering, operations, quality, finance, and external suppliers.
• Willingness to travel periodically to supplier locations.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities.

Nice To Haves

• Understanding of import and export processes, raw material pricing, and manufacturing costs.
• Experience in a hands-on manufacturing environment with exposure to production operations.
• APICS/CPIM certification.
• Experience in cost analysis, value improvement, and supplier development initiatives.
• Ability to evaluate and qualify domestic and international suppliers.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced environment focused on inventory, sourcing, cost savings, and production support.
• Interest in career growth within a stable and growing manufacturing organization.

Responsibilities

• Procure parts, materials, and components to support manufacturing operations and production schedules.
• Manage supplier relationships, pricing negotiations, contract discussions, and supplier performance monitoring.
• Drive cost-reduction initiatives and identify strategic sourcing opportunities to improve value and reduce total cost.
• Coordinate purchasing activities with engineering, quality, finance, and operations teams.
• Monitor material levels to support inventory availability and resolve supplier quality concerns and invoice discrepancies.
• Manage engineering change notices, supplier communications, and requests for quotations to support timely implementation and accurate pricing.
• Evaluate and qualify new domestic and international suppliers to strengthen the supply base and mitigate risk.
• Analyze supplier costs, manufacturing processes, and value-improvement opportunities to improve supply-chain efficiency.
• Perform procurement analysis, source selection, and strategic sourcing activities to support production and business objectives.
• Monitor supplier on-time delivery, quality metrics, and responsiveness, and implement corrective actions when needed.
• Coordinate import logistics and related documentation for international sourcing activities.
• Maintain accurate purchase orders and procurement records in ERP systems and other tools.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders on continuous improvement initiatives in purchasing and supply-chain processes.
• Travel periodically to supplier locations to support evaluations, relationship management, and sourcing initiatives.
• Walk into the warehouse as needed to support inventory and production activities.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Critical illness, accident, and hospital coverage
• 401(k) retirement plan with pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions
• Voluntary life insurance and AD&D for the employee and dependents
• Short- and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time off/leave, including PTO, vacation, or sick leave; eligibility and terms apply

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level