Purchasing & Procurement Specialist

Pro Signs•Downingtown, PA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a strategic and detail-oriented Purchasing & Procurement Specialist to lead our procurement department. In this critical role, you will be responsible for sourcing high-quality raw materials, machinery, and services essential to our manufacturing operations. You will act as the primary link between our production and project management teams to our supplier network; ensuring that we maintain a lean, cost-effective, and reliable supply chain. The ideal candidate is a skilled negotiator with a thorough understanding of manufacturing workflows and a proven track record of optimizing procurement costs without compromising quality or production schedules.

Requirements

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or a related field.
Experience: 3+ years of procurement experience, specifically within a manufacturing environment.
Technical Skills: Proficiency in ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, or Microsoft Dynamics) and advanced Excel skills for data analysis.
Negotiation: Proven ability to manage high-stakes negotiations and build long-term strategic partnerships.
Analytical Thinking: Strong ability to interpret complex data, forecast trends, and make data-driven decisions.

Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing: Identify, evaluate, and onboard reliable suppliers that align with our quality standards and production needs.
Negotiation & Contract Management: Lead negotiations for favorable pricing, payment terms, and delivery schedules. Draft and manage vendor contracts to ensure compliance and mitigate risk.
Production Alignment: Work closely with the Production and Inventory teams to forecast demand and ensure the timely arrival of materials to prevent assembly line downtime.
Cost Management: Implement cost-reduction strategies and conduct regular price analysis to ensure the company achieves the best "total cost of ownership" for all purchases.
Supplier Performance: Develop and monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for vendors, conducting regular audits to ensure quality and reliability.
Inventory Oversight: Collaborate with warehouse management to optimize stock levels, minimize waste, and manage ordering needs.
Market Intelligence: Stay informed on commodity price fluctuations, industry trends, and new manufacturing technologies that could provide a competitive advantage.
Production Scheduling and Audits: Work with departmental managers to ensure scheduling is in line.
Job Release and P.O. Creation: Issue P.O.’s and Release work orders to production following review.