Purchasing Manager

Shepard Steel•Hartford, CT

About The Position

Shepard Steel is seeking an experienced Purchasing Manager to oversee procurement of structural steel and related materials for company projects. The role is responsible for purchasing correct materials at competitive prices and within established project budgets, while ensuring delivery to the shop in line with project schedules. The Purchasing Manager works closely with project management, estimating, accounting, and shop operations to support efficient project execution and maintain customer expectations for quality and reliability. Shepard Steel is a structural steel and miscellaneous fabrication company serving customers throughout Southern New England and Eastern New York State. The company has operated for more than 65 years, has approximately 100 employees, fabricates approximately 12,000 tons of steel annually, and has recently invested in state-of-the-art fabrication equipment.

Requirements

10 or more years of purchasing experience preferred, ideally with a structural steel fabricator.
Experience purchasing structural steel directly from steel mills and steel warehouses or service centers.
Strong knowledge of structural steel shapes, sizes, grades, and material specifications, including wide flange beams, HSS/tube, channel, angle, and plate.
Familiarity with ASTM material grades and specifications, including Grade 50 wide flange material.
Experience with purchase orders, supplier negotiations, invoice approvals, and delivery coordination.
Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and purchasing, accounting, or ERP software.

Nice To Haves

Experience purchasing for a structural steel fabricator.

Responsibilities

Manage purchasing of structural steel and related materials for all projects while keeping purchases within established budgets.
Source and negotiate material purchases from steel mills, warehouses, and other suppliers to obtain competitive pricing and reliable delivery schedules.
Review project specifications and material requirements to ensure the correct shapes, sizes, grades, and quantities are ordered.
Prepare and issue purchase orders, track outstanding orders, and maintain accurate purchasing records.
Coordinate material deliveries with suppliers and shop personnel to support fabrication schedules.
Review and approve supplier invoices for submission to Accounts Payable, resolving pricing and quantity discrepancies as needed.
Develop and maintain supplier relationships and identify opportunities to reduce material costs and improve purchasing efficiency.
Communicate with project management, estimating, accounting, and shop operations about material costs, availability, and delivery schedules.