Purchasing Inventory Assistant Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

The Junior Product Manager plays a key role in supporting inventory planning, purchasing strategies, pricing decisions, and supplier relationships for our plate product line. This position is responsible for analyzing inventory trends, market conditions, and customer demand to help drive informed purchasing decisions across multiple regions.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working with data but also understands that numbers only tell part of the story. We are looking for a curious and analytical professional who notices trends, asks questions, challenges assumptions, and seeks to understand the factors driving business results. The successful candidate will combine critical thinking, strong communication skills, and sound business judgment to support both purchasing and sales initiatives.

Why Join Triple-S Steel?
At Triple-S Steel, you'll join a financially strong, family-owned company that has been an industry leader for more than 65 years. This role offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of purchasing, inventory management, sales support, and market analysis while helping shape decisions that impact our business across multiple regions.

What You'll Gain:

• Exposure to key business decisions involving inventory strategy, pricing, purchasing, and market trends
• The opportunity to develop expertise in product management, supply chain, and commercial decision-making
• Direct collaboration with branch leaders, suppliers, and sales teams
• Hands-on experience analyzing market data and translating insights into business recommendations
• A highly visible role where curiosity, initiative, and critical thinking are valued and encouraged
• Career growth opportunities within a growing national and global organization
• A collaborative, team-oriented culture focused on long-term success
• Competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package
• Profit-sharing program

What You'll Do

• Analyze inventory levels, purchasing activity, and sales trends to identify opportunities and potential risks.
• Forecast inventory requirements and assist in developing purchasing strategies to support business objectives.
• Collaborate with branch managers and sales teams to determine stocking needs and inventory priorities.
• Evaluate market conditions, pricing trends, freight costs, and other factors that impact purchasing decisions.
• Submit requests for quotations (RFQs), negotiate pricing, and execute purchase orders with suppliers.
• Respond to sales inquiries and provide guidance on replacement costs, pricing, and product availability.
• Review large customer opportunities and obtain vendor quotations as needed.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, internal stakeholders, and customers.
• Monitor contract pricing and assist in managing inventory transfers across locations.
• Partner with logistics and operations teams to coordinate material movement and ensure timely fulfillment.
• Identify changes, trends, or inconsistencies in data and investigate underlying causes to support informed decision-making.
• Present findings and recommendations with confidence, utilizing data and business insight to influence decisions.

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Economics, Finance, Marketing, or a related field.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills.
• Ability to interpret data, identify trends, and translate findings into actionable recommendations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to interact effectively across all levels of the organization.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to balance analytical work with relationship-building and collaborative decision-making.

Preferred

• 2-4 years of experience in purchasing, inventory management, pricing analysis, sales support, product management, or a related field.
• Experience working with ERP systems.
• Familiarity with forecasting, inventory planning, and market analysis.
• Experience in metals, manufacturing, distribution, or industrial markets is a plus.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus.

What Will Set You Apart

• Natural curiosity and a desire to understand the "why" behind the data.
• Confidence to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and offer recommendations.
• A blend of analytical thinking and strong interpersonal skills.
• Commercial awareness and the ability to balance data with practical business judgment.
• A proactive, self-driven approach to solving problems and identifying opportunities.

Additional Details

• Work location: Triple-S Steel Headquarters
  6000 Jensen Drive, Houston, TX 77026
• This position is 100% on-site.