Technical Purchasing Specialist – Industrial Manufacturing
Position Summary
The Technical Purchasing Specialist supports industrial manufacturing operations by sourcing technical materials, components, equipment, and services. This mid-level role is responsible for supplier sourcing, vendor negotiation, purchase order management, cost control, and ensuring the timely availability of materials needed for production.
The ideal candidate has experience in industrial procurement, understands technical specifications and manufacturing requirements, and can build strong supplier relationships while balancing quality, cost, lead time, and operational needs.
Responsibilities
- Identify, evaluate, and qualify suppliers for industrial components, raw materials, equipment, maintenance supplies, and technical services.
- Lead supplier sourcing activities, including market research, supplier outreach, and competitive bid analysis.
- Negotiate pricing, payment terms, lead times, minimum order quantities, warranties, and delivery conditions with vendors.
- Prepare, issue, and manage requests for quotation (RFQs), purchase orders, and supplier agreements.
- Review technical drawings, bills of materials, specifications, and engineering requirements to ensure accurate purchasing decisions.
- Collaborate with engineering, production, quality, maintenance, and inventory teams to support manufacturing requirements.
- Monitor open purchase orders and follow up with suppliers to prevent material shortages or production delays.
- Evaluate supplier performance based on quality, delivery, cost, responsiveness, and service.
- Identify cost-reduction opportunities through supplier consolidation, alternative sourcing, value analysis, and contract negotiation.
- Maintain accurate purchasing records, supplier documentation, pricing data, and procurement reports.
- Support inventory planning and help maintain appropriate stock levels for critical materials.
- Resolve supplier issues involving pricing discrepancies, late deliveries, damaged goods, quality concerns, and invoice exceptions.
- Assist with supplier relationship management and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Ensure purchasing activities comply with internal policies, quality standards, and applicable manufacturing requirements.
Qualifications
- Associate or bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, business, engineering, manufacturing, or a related field preferred.
- Mid-level professional experience in purchasing, procurement, strategic sourcing, or supply chain operations.
- Experience purchasing technical materials, industrial parts, machinery, tooling, or manufacturing-related services.
- Strong knowledge of supplier negotiation, quotation analysis, purchase order management, and vendor evaluation.
- Ability to interpret technical specifications, bills of materials, drawings, and product requirements.
- Familiarity with ERP systems, purchasing software, inventory systems, or material requirements planning tools.
- Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, supplier deadlines, and changing production requirements.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and other business productivity tools.
- Knowledge of manufacturing processes, quality requirements, and supply chain principles.
- Professional purchasing or supply chain certification, such as CPSM, CPIM, or CSCP, is a plus.
Preferred Skills
- Industrial manufacturing procurement
- Vendor management
- Contract negotiation
- Cost analysis
- Supply chain management
- Material requirements planning
- Inventory control
- Technical sourcing
- Supplier performance management
- Purchase order administration
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Company Description
Hiring Transparency & AI Disclosure Statement
In compliance with applicable Canadian employment regulations, we confirm that this job posting represents a current, active vacancy within our organization.
We do not use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to screen, assess, rank, or make hiring decisions. All applications are reviewed and evaluated by human recruiters and hiring managers.
If our hiring practices change in the future to include AI-assisted tools, appropriate disclosure will be provided in accordance with applicable laws.