PURCHASING MANAGER

SELECT EVENT GROUP INC•Laurel, MD

2d•$60,000 - $70,000

About The Position

Select Event Group considers all Management and Director level employees to be a part of the Company’s Leadership Team. As such, the expectations include not only area-specific responsibilities but also a strong emphasis on collaboration and leadership. While each manager has accountability to the management of their direct reports and the success of their area of oversight, each manager shares in the accountability of company-wide success. This demands peer-to-peer accountability and a “help-first” mentality at all times. Each individual must support and employ the company’s Core Values and must operate with the following philosophies: I want to surround myself with people stronger than me in their areas of experience/expertise. I want to be a part of a team that is open and honest with one another, respectfully. I am open-minded to new perspectives and opinions because I want to learn and improve my understanding every day. Assumptions can divide teams and lead to poor decision making so I ask questions even when I think I have all the information. I am not afraid to admit when I, or one of my direct reports, have made a mistake. Mistakes allow for learning and growth. My feeling of achievement comes from seeing my peers and direct reports succeed more than from my own success. Working closely with all the areas of Select Event Group, the Purchasing Manager will work closely with internal teams to oversee and coordinate purchasing needs for our core operational functions. This includes coordination with internal teams, accounting, and external suppliers to manage orders, monitoring of inventory levels, and provide administrative support, specifically focused on the purchasing invoices, reporting related to cost analysis, and other duties that require a high attention to detail. Ideal candidates will be detail-oriented, responsive, reliable, can prioritize various tasks and will enjoy working in a fast-paced environment. Adherence to deadlines and great planning/follow through is a must. The ability to work well within a team is fundamental to this role. It is critical that the Purchasing Administrator can communicate clearly and concisely orally and in writing, while providing top-notch customer interactions.

Requirements

Prior experience working in the event industry, such as: Event Rental Company Caterer Production, Staging, Lighting, or Sound Company Venue or live event operations team
Event rental experience and/or Point of Rental (POR) system experience strongly preferred
Purchasing experience is beneficial but not required; candidates with strong event operations experience and the ability to learn purchasing systems will be prioritized.
Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent professional experience within the event industry
Proven ability to manage multiple projects at a time while paying strict attention to details in fast-paced, event-driven environment
High-level customer support and service experience preferred
Comfortable interacting with all levels of the company (President, Management, Foreman, Helpers, etc.)
Detail oriented and comfortable with a fast-paced, high-performance environment
Ability to assess situations and make decisions based on urgency and risk
Ability to set priorities, determine strategies and solve problems
Experience with Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Microsoft Excel and demonstrated experience using AI tools (e.g., Microsoft Copilot or similar AI assisted productivity tools) in a professional work environment
Required: Comfort and prior experience working with AI tools to support daily work, analysis, and decision making. Candidates without prior exposure to AI enabled tools will not be considered for this role
Excellent listening, verbal, and written communication skills
Motivated and Ambitious
Critical thinking skills
Self-Starter, Takes Initiative
Teamwork/collaboration
Interpersonal skills
All prospective employees must pass a background check.
All prospective employees must take an excel skill test.
Must have a reliable vehicle.

Nice To Haves

Event rental experience and/or Point of Rental (POR) system experience strongly preferred
Purchasing experience is beneficial but not required; candidates with strong event operations experience and the ability to learn purchasing systems will be prioritized.
High-level customer support and service experience preferred

Responsibilities

Analyze inventory and purchasing data to determine replenishment needs and maintain appropriate stock levels within an event-driven, rental-based operating environment.
Monitor demand trends and collaborate with internal teams to forecast inventory requirements based on event schedules, seasonal volume, and rental utilization.
Track incoming inventory, delivery timelines, and key performance indicators to support operational efficiency for time-sensitive projects.
Prepare purchasing and inventory reports, including cost analysis, forecasting, and budget performance.
Research, evaluate, and recommend new inventory, including pricing, lead times, and availability.
Maintain accurate purchasing records, vendor information, and inventory documentation aligned with event rental workflows and Point of Rental (POR) processes.
Organize and manage supplier agreements, invoices, and related purchasing files.
Review specifications to ensure purchased items meet quality and operational requirements.
Coordinate purchase order placement and monitor order fulfillment for timely, accurate delivery to meet deadlines.
Verify purchase orders, packing slips, and receiving documentation, resolving discrepancies as needed.
Communicate with warehouse and operations teams regarding shipping schedules and handling requirements.
Review and process supplier invoices in compliance with company policies.
Maintain strong vendor relationships through regular communication and review of product offerings, while developing new business opportunities.
Negotiate pricing, terms, and conditions in alignment with company standards and budget guidelines.
Identify discontinued or unavailable items and source suitable replacements to ensure continuity.
Other duties as assigned.