Purchasing Agent - Steel

RK Industries, LLC•Aurora, CO

9d•$75,000 - $90,000•Onsite

About The Position

RK is hiring an on-site Purchasing Agent in Aurora, Colorado, to manage sourcing and purchasing activities that keep construction and manufacturing projects supplied and on schedule. The role covers the purchasing process from requisitions and purchase orders through delivery coordination, balancing cost, quality, specifications, and timelines. The agent sources materials, equipment, rough-in items, and services; works with approved vendors and buying agreements; obtains bids and negotiates supplier terms; and coordinates deliveries to job sites and company facilities. The position also supports cost control and inventory optimization and maintains accurate purchase order, vendor, and item data in company systems. The role calls for working knowledge of structural steel materials, grades, specifications, and industry standards. The Purchasing Agent should be able to interpret structural steel, fabrication, and erection drawings, bills of materials, material takeoffs, and project schedules to inform procurement decisions. Familiarity with steel fabrication and processing, mill lead times, service center capabilities, domestic and imported sourcing, material traceability, mill test reports, and quality documentation is relevant. RK describes opportunities to contribute to sophisticated projects, influence project and operational practices, work across specialized business units and in-house fabrication and manufacturing capabilities, and develop through mentorship, hands-on learning, and RK University. The company is described as a second-generation, family-owned business.

Requirements

Strong organizational, follow-up, and communication skills.
Strong proficiency in Excel, including pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, and formulas.
Experience working in purchasing or ERP systems.
Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities with strong attention to detail.
Working knowledge of structural steel materials, products, grades, specifications, and applicable industry standards.
Ability to read and interpret structural steel drawings, fabrication drawings, erection drawings, bills of materials, material takeoffs, and project schedules.
Understanding of steel fabrication, processing, finishing, fastening, connection materials, and related value-added services.
Familiarity with mill lead times, service center capabilities, domestic and imported sourcing considerations, material traceability, mill test reports, and quality documentation.

Nice To Haves

Experience with IFS and/or Vista by Viewpoint purchasing or ERP systems.
Experience in construction or manufacturing procurement, especially involving structural steel, fabrication, or construction-related purchasing.

Responsibilities

Manage end-to-end purchasing activities, from requisitions and purchase orders through delivery coordination, to support project and operational timelines.
Source materials, equipment, rough-in items, and services in alignment with approved vendors, buying agreements, specifications, budgets, schedules, and job cost codes.
Obtain competitive bids and negotiate supplier pricing, lead times, rebates, purchasing terms, and overall value.
Coordinate deliveries to job sites, fabrication shops, yards, manufacturing facilities, and tool facilities; track back orders and expedite critical materials as needed.
Support cost control and inventory optimization by analyzing pricing, usage, and purchasing trends, utilizing existing stock, and coordinating returns when appropriate.
Maintain accurate purchase order, vendor, and item master data in company systems, including pricing updates and new part number requests.