Purchasing Specialist

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Purchasing Specialist to support purchasing and sourcing activities for our manufacturing operations. This role is responsible for sourcing materials, supplies, MRO items, and services; negotiating pricing and commercial terms; managing supplier relationships; and ensuring materials are available to support production requirements.

The ideal candidate brings hands-on purchasing experience within a manufacturing environment, including experience with MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Operations) purchasing, supplier negotiations, purchase order management, and inventory planning. This individual should be comfortable working directly with vendors, comparing sourcing options, challenging costs, and proactively identifying opportunities to improve pricing, lead times, availability, and supplier performance.

This is a hands-on purchasing role requiring strong commercial judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to balance cost, quality, inventory, and production requirements in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

Purchasing & Supplier Management

• Manage day-to-day purchasing activities for raw materials, components, packaging, supplies, MRO materials, equipment, and services required to support manufacturing operations.
• Negotiate with suppliers on pricing, discounts, payment terms, lead times, freight, minimum order quantities, and other commercial terms.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities through competitive bidding, supplier negotiations, alternate sourcing, volume consolidation, and improved purchasing terms.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with existing suppliers while identifying and qualifying new suppliers as needed.
• Obtain and evaluate supplier quotes based on total cost, quality, lead time, availability, and business requirements.
• Support supplier selection and sourcing strategies for existing products, operational requirements, and new product launches.
• Monitor supplier performance and address issues related to pricing, quality, delivery, availability, and service.
• Partner with suppliers and internal stakeholders to resolve quality or delivery issues and minimize disruption to production.

Manufacturing & MRO Purchasing

• Purchase MRO materials and services necessary to support facility, equipment, and production operations, including maintenance parts, tools, supplies, replacement components, and other operational requirements.
• Work closely with Maintenance, Operations, Production, Quality, and Supply Chain teams to understand purchasing priorities and anticipate upcoming material needs.
• Source urgent or hard-to-find parts and supplies to minimize equipment downtime and production interruptions.
• Maintain appropriate inventory levels for critical MRO and non-inventory items while balancing availability against excess inventory and carrying costs.
• Establish and maintain reorder point (ROP) processes for frequently used supplies and critical operational items.

Purchase Order & Inventory Management

• Prepare and issue purchase orders based on demand, inventory levels, vendor pricing, lead times, minimum order quantities, and production requirements.
• Track open purchase orders and proactively follow up with suppliers to ensure materials arrive according to production schedules.
• Expedite, push out, cancel, or modify purchase orders as business requirements change.
• Maintain accurate supplier, item, pricing, lead-time, minimum-order, and purchasing information within Fishbowl.
• Maintain and reconcile Monday inventory counts in Fishbowl and investigate discrepancies as needed.
• Review inventory levels and purchasing trends to anticipate future supply requirements and help prevent shortages or excess inventory.
• Request samples, specifications, certifications, and other supplier documentation required by Operations, Quality, Product Integrity, or other departments.
• Resolve three-way matching discrepancies between purchase orders, receipts, and supplier invoices.

Cross-Functional Support

• Partner with Production, Maintenance, Quality, Supply Chain, Finance, and other departments to align purchasing activities with operational needs.
• Communicate potential shortages, supplier delays, pricing changes, and other supply risks to appropriate stakeholders.
• Support new product introductions and operational projects by identifying suppliers, obtaining quotes, negotiating pricing, and coordinating material availability.
• Maintain accurate purchasing documentation and supplier records.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives related to purchasing processes, inventory management, supplier performance, and cost reduction.
• Take on special projects and other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• 3+ years of purchasing, procurement, sourcing, or buyer experience, preferably within a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated experience negotiating supplier pricing and commercial terms.
• Experience purchasing MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Operations) materials, parts, supplies, and/or services in support of manufacturing operations.
• Working knowledge of purchase orders, inventory management, supplier management, lead times, reorder points, and manufacturing supply requirements.
• Experience sourcing and evaluating suppliers and comparing quotes based on price, quality, lead time, and service.
• Experience working with ERP, MRP, or inventory management systems; Fishbowl experience is a plus.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Strong analytical, organizational, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work effectively with suppliers and cross-functional teams.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and respond quickly to changing production and operational requirements.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a team.
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant purchasing and manufacturing experience will also be considered.

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

• Ability to occasionally lift, push, or carry items weighing up to 25 lbs.
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods.
• Ability to perform activities that may include bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, climbing, handling, and inspecting materials or equipment.
• Ability to effectively communicate with employees, suppliers, and other business partners.
• This position operates within a manufacturing environment and may occasionally be exposed to noise, vibration, mechanical or electrical equipment, fumes, odors, and other conditions typical of a production facility.

Benefits

• 401(k) with company matching
• Health, dental, and vision insurance to keep you covered
• Life insurance
• Flexible spending and health savings accounts to manage your healthcare costs
• Paid time off to recharge when you need it
• Join a fun, dynamic and creative industry—working with toys and games brings its own rewards