Purchasing Agent - Fabric Buyer

Design Foundry•Hickory, NC

52d

About The Position

The Purchasing Agent / Fabric Buyer is responsible for sourcing, procuring, and maintaining adequate inventory levels of fabrics and related materials used in upholstered furniture manufacturing. This role ensures the right materials are available at the right time, at the right quality and price, driving operational excellence and production flow. The ideal candidate builds strong supplier partnerships, analyzes inventory data, communicates cross-functionally, and upholds our commitment to quality, cost stewardship, and service. This person plays a critical role in supporting production schedules, minimizing material shortages, and contributing to customer satisfaction through timely order fulfillment.

Requirements

Purchasing or sourcing experience in manufacturing (upholstery, textiles, furniture, or related field preferred).
Strong negotiation, communication, and supplier-relationship skills.
Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems, spreadsheets, and data analysis.
Excellent attention to detail, organization, and follow-up.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities.
Strong problem-solving skills with a proactive mindset.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of fabrics, textiles, or upholstery materials is a plus.

Responsibilities

Source, purchase, and track all fabric and related materials needed for production.
Develop fabric forecasts and maintain adequate stock levels based on sales orders, forecasts, and production needs.
Monitor vendor performance: pricing, lead times, quality, and reliability.
Review fabric usage, scrap trends, and purchase frequency to optimize costs and reduce waste.
Process purchase orders accurately in Cruze system and reconcile confirmations.
Follow up on open orders, lead times, backorders, and delivery schedules.
Work closely with team to align planning and scheduling to ensure production is never disrupted due to fabric shortages.
Communicate with suppliers regarding pricing, availability, substitutions, quality concerns, and logistics.
Assist in fabric testing, approval processes, and sample acquisition.
Coordinate with Receiving/Shipping Manager to schedule deliveries and resolve receiving discrepancies.
Support inventory audits and cycle counts related to fabrics.
Maintain fabric database: costs, SKUs, vendor details, specifications, and replacements.
Provide input into BOM updates, cost analyses, and margin reviews as needed.
Participate in vendor reviews and strategic sourcing initiatives under the direction of the Purchasing Manager.