Outside Services Purchasing Coordinator

The Outside Services Purchasing Coordinator is responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and managing subcontracted manufacturing services that support production operations. This role ensures cost-effective, high-quality, and on-time delivery of outsourced processes such as finishing, coating, heat treating, machining, and specialized fabrication across both plastic and metal components.

This position plays a critical role in maintaining production flow, optimizing supplier performance, and protecting margin in a high-mix, low-to-medium volume job shop environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Supplier Sourcing & Management

• Identify, qualify, and onboard suppliers for outside services (e.g., anodizing, powder coating, plating, heat treating, laser cutting, CNC overflow, injection molding support).

• Develop and maintain a strong, reliable supplier network with redundancy in key processes.

• Conduct regular supplier performance reviews (quality, delivery, cost competitiveness).

Purchasing & Cost Control

• Solicit and evaluate quotes for outside services; negotiate pricing, lead times, and terms.

• Issue and manage purchase orders for subcontracted work.

• Drive cost reduction initiatives through vendor consolidation, negotiation, and process optimization.

• Monitor market pricing trends for key processes and materials.

Production Coordination

• Work closely with production planning, engineering, and sales teams to align outsourcing decisions with delivery commitments.

• Ensure timely movement of parts to and from outside vendors.

• Expedite critical orders and resolve supply chain disruptions proactively.

Quality & Compliance

• Partner with Quality to ensure suppliers meet specifications and standards.

• Address non-conformance issues, including root cause analysis and corrective actions.

• Ensure compliance with customer requirements, certifications, and industry standards.

Process Optimization

• Evaluate make vs. buy decisions based on capacity, cost, and strategic priorities.

• Identify opportunities to bring processes in-house or outsource more efficiently.

• Improve workflows related to outside processing (tracking, communication, logistics).

Data & Systems Management

• Maintain accurate records in ERP/MRP systems (pricing, lead times, supplier data).

• Track KPIs such as on-time delivery, cost savings, supplier quality, and turnaround times.

• Generate reports to support operations and executive decision-making.

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5 years of purchasing or supply chain experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience managing subcontracted or outside processing services.
• Strong negotiation and supplier management skills.
• Familiarity with plastics and/or metals manufacturing processes and GD&T.

Preferred

• Experience in a job shop or high-mix, low-volume production environment.
• Knowledge of finishing processes (anodizing, plating, painting, heat treating, etc.).
• Lean manufacturing or continuous improvement background.

Key Competencies

• Commercial acumen and cost discipline
• Urgency and problem-solving in a fast-paced environment
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration
• Attention to detail with ability to manage multiple priorities
• Supplier relationship management and negotiation

Performance Metrics

• On-time delivery from outside vendors
• Cost savings and margin improvement
• Supplier quality (PPM, rework rates)
• Lead time reduction
• Supplier base strength and redundancy

Work Environment

• Combination of office and shop floor interaction
• Frequent communication with vendors and internal teams
• Occasional travel to supplier facilities