Purchasing Specialist

Position Overview

The Purchasing Specialist is responsible for sourcing, purchasing, and managing materials, components, and services necessary for Alliance Automation’s operations. This role ensures cost-effectiveness, quality, and timely delivery while maintaining strong relationships with suppliers and internal teams. Additionally, this position supports cost control by analyzing market trends and maintaining database integrity to ensure accurate procurement data.

Top 5 Responsibilities

• Procurement and Supplier Management
• Source and purchase materials, parts, and equipment based on project and operational requirements.
• Evaluate and negotiate with suppliers to secure competitive pricing and contract terms.
• Maintain and develop relationships with vendors to ensure reliability and quality.
• Monitor supplier performance and address any quality or delivery issues.
• Ensure on-time delivery of materials and components to meet project and production schedules.
• Inventory, Cost Control & Data Integrity
• Track inventory levels to prevent shortages or overstocking.
• Work with internal teams to forecast material needs and adjust purchasing strategies accordingly.
• Support cost control by analyzing market trends and identifying cost-saving opportunities.
• Ensure database integrity by maintaining accurate purchasing records, contracts, and vendor agreements within the ERP/MRP system.
• Order Processing & Documentation
• Issue purchase orders and confirm order details with suppliers.
• Track and expedite orders to ensure timely delivery.
• Manage and resolve discrepancies related to pricing, quantity, and quality.
• Cross-Department Collaboration
• Work closely with engineering, production, and project management teams to understand material specifications and lead times.
• Assist in developing purchasing strategies aligned with company goals.
• Support process improvements and cost-saving initiatives related to procurement.
• Meet Department Savings Goal
  

Additional Responsibilities / Duties

• Supplier Relations: managing all facets of supplier onboarding, supplier templates, and ACH payment requirements, work with senior leadership to ensure business partnerships are aligned.
• Sourcing strategies: Elevate when OTD is in jeopardy and work to find an alternate solution
• Negotiation: Adhere to department policies when OTD is in jeopardy
• Meet cost reduction team goal objectives
• Risk management: Anticipating business risks and driving mitigating strategies as well as developing distressed suppliers when corporate core values are aligned, working with co-departments to identify alternate components when budget, timing, or availability is limited, support auditing of department audits, elevate appropriately OTD metric is in danger, and adhering to Procurement policies and standards
• Procurement policies: Work with Materials Group to develop, execute, and maintain a cancellation / return policy including approval requirements, hold co-departments accountable to department standards, and possess a comfort level holding oneself and others accountable and elevating appropriately.
• Ability to work closely with and mentor other Procurement team members
• Travel when necessary to suppliers and / or trade shows to enhance benchmarking (each trip will require a report summary: 0-5%)
• Order office supplies
• Manage supplier calendar including a weekly newsletter blast of upcoming visits
• Manage ASL savings to report quarterly
• Support weekly scheduling meetings
• Manage TWC (Trade Working Capital) goal to adhere to annual goal by working with suppliers to extend payment terms
• Support as needed to the Strategic Sourcing Manager
  
  

Minimum Qualifications/Experience

Education and Experience

• Required: Associate’s degree in supply chain, business, or a related field.
• Preferred: Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, business, or a related field.
• 2 years of purchasing experience in a manufacturing, automation, or industrial setting preferred.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems (e.g., NetSuite) is a plus.
  
  

Skills and Competencies

• Negotiation and vendor management experience.
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to analyze data, trends, and cost structures.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook).
• Strong communication and problem-solving abilities.
  
  

What We Offer

Alliance Automation benefits include, but not limited to:

• Salary/Hourly wage based on experience
• Paid vacation
• Personal time
• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life/Disability
• 401k & Company Match
• Parental Leave
• Optional remote work
• We provide our employees with a safe, clean climate-controlled work environment.