Senior Purchasing & Provisioning Specialist

THE TAYLOR GROUP INC•Louisville, MS

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Purchasing & Provisioning Specialist is responsible for sourcing, procuring, and provisioning critical materials, components, and services to support heavy fabrication, military modification, upfitting, and Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) operations. This role ensures that the right materials are purchased at the right time, at the right cost, and at the right quality to prevent production delays and maintain mission readiness. This position requires a driven, high-energy individual who thrives in a fast-paced, multi-project environment. The ideal candidate is a utility player, someone who can step in wherever needed, solve problems quickly, and work collaboratively to support our teams and our customers’ missions.

Requirements

5+ years of purchasing, procurement, or supply chain experience, preferably in defense manufacturing, heavy fabrication, or industrial equipment.
Strong understanding of BOM structures, engineering drawings, weldments, machining, and fabricated assemblies.
Experience supporting military or government programs (ILS, provisioning, FAR/DFARS knowledge a plus).
Proven negotiation skills and the ability to manage multiple vendors.
High level of energy with the ability to multitask and work under pressure.
Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Office (Excel required).
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
Ability to work cross-functionally and thrive in a collaborative, mission-driven environment.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with SLEP programs (RTCH, EBFL, cranes, tactical vehicles, etc.).
Understanding of military standards, packaging requirements, and provisioning data (PPLs, IPBs, SMR codes).
Experience expediting suppliers and working in rapidly changing production environments.
Strong problem-solving ability with a “whatever it takes” mindset.

Responsibilities

Source and procure raw materials, fabricated components, hardware, and specialized military-grade items required for heavy manufacturing and modification programs.
Prepare RFQs, analyze bids, and negotiate pricing, terms, and delivery schedules.
Issue purchase orders accurately and promptly, ensuring alignment with project schedules and contractual obligations.
Monitor open orders daily and proactively follow up with suppliers to ensure on-time delivery.
Develop and maintain provisioning data for government and defense programs, including parts lists, spares requirements, and support equipment.
Review engineering drawings, BOMs, and technical data to identify required materials and replacement parts.
Collaborate with Program Management and Engineering to ensure provisioning documentation supports customer and government requirements.
Build and maintain strong working relationships with key suppliers and subcontractors.
Evaluate vendor performance using quality, delivery, and cost criteria.
Identify alternate suppliers and mitigate single-source risks.
Work with vendors to resolve shortages, quality issues, and delivery delays.
Work closely with Operations, Production Planning, Engineering, Quality, and Program Management to ensure material availability and readiness for each project.
Act as the supply-chain point of contact for assigned programs, ensuring alignment between purchasing activities and production priorities.
Support material expediting and gap-filling tasks when urgent issues arise.
Identify opportunities to optimize supply chain efficiency, reduce lead times, and improve cost competitiveness.
Assist in implementing supply chain best practices, KPIs, and procurement policies.
Support inventory control efforts, including safety stock analysis and reduction of excess/obsolete materials.