What are the responsibilities and job description for the Purchasing Specialist position at CTech Manufacturing?
CTech Manufacturing
Location: Weston, WI
Department: Supply Chain / Operations
Employment Type: Full-Time
Position Overview
CTech Manufacturing is seeking a detail-oriented and analytical Purchasing Specialist to support our manufacturing operations through strategic sourcing, purchasing, supplier management, and cross-functional collaboration. This role is critical to ensuring production continuity, maintaining supplier performance, controlling costs, and supporting operational efficiency across the organization.
The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and brings strong technical aptitude, procurement experience, and the ability to work collaboratively with engineering, production, operations, and finance teams.
Key Responsibilities
Purchasing & Procurement Operations
Source and purchase raw materials, components, specialty products, equipment, operational supplies, and services to support manufacturing operations
Manage both commodity and non-commodity purchasing activities, including metals, engineered components, and production-related materials
Create, review, and manage purchase orders while ensuring accuracy in pricing, quantities, lead times, and delivery schedules
Monitor supplier performance and open purchase orders to ensure on-time delivery and uninterrupted production support
Evaluate supplier quotations and make purchasing decisions based on cost, quality, lead time, and operational requirements
Negotiate pricing, supplier terms, and lead times to support cost savings and operational efficiency
Proactively identify material shortages, supply risks, and urgent purchasing needs
Build and maintain strong supplier relationships that support reliability and continuous improvement initiatives
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner closely with engineering teams to support material requirements, design changes, and new product introductions
Read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, bills of materials (BOMs), and technical specifications to ensure accurate sourcing decisions
Collaborate with engineering, production, warehouse, operations, and finance teams to maintain material availability and production schedules
Support cost-reduction initiatives and alternative sourcing strategies without compromising quality or functionality
Communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders
Forecasting, Reporting & Data Analysis
Utilize ERP systems, purchasing software, and advanced Excel tools to forecast material requirements and support purchasing decisions
Analyze purchasing activity, supplier performance, material usage, and demand trends to identify risks and opportunities
Generate and maintain reports related to purchasing activity, forecasting, supplier metrics, and operational performance
Utilize advanced Excel functions including Pivot Tables, XLOOKUP, VLOOKUP, formulas, and data analysis tools
Write and interpret basic SQL queries to extract and validate purchasing and operational data
Maintain accurate purchasing and material data while improving reporting visibility and forecasting accuracy
Supplier & Vendor Management
Serve as the primary point of contact for suppliers regarding pricing, delivery schedules, order status, lead times, and performance expectations
Resolve supplier-related issues including shortages, late deliveries, quality concerns, freight issues, and invoice discrepancies
Participate in supplier performance reviews and continuous improvement initiatives focused on quality, responsiveness, delivery, and cost savings
Compliance & Documentation
Ensure all purchasing activities comply with company policies, procedures, and ethical sourcing standards
Maintain accurate purchasing records, supplier documentation, contracts, and supporting files
Review purchasing documentation for accuracy, completeness, and compliance
Requirements:Education
High school diploma or GED required
Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Procurement, Engineering, or related field preferred
Experience
2–4 years of purchasing, procurement, or supply chain experience in a manufacturing environment preferred
Experience purchasing commodity and non-commodity materials, including metals and engineered components
Experience using ERP systems, purchasing software, and Excel reporting tools
Experience supporting engineering-driven manufacturing environments preferred
Skills & Abilities
Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, BOMs, and technical specifications
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
Excellent communication, negotiation, and supplier relationship management abilities
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and data analysis tools
Basic SQL knowledge preferred
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
Additional Qualities
Self-motivated with a strong sense of accountability and ownership
Collaborative mindset with the ability to work effectively across departments
Adaptable and responsive to changing production and operational priorities
Continuous improvement mindset focused on operational efficiency and cost savings
Why Join CTech Manufacturing?
At CTech Manufacturing, we value innovation, teamwork, and operational excellence. We offer a collaborative work environment where employees can grow professionally while contributing to meaningful manufacturing solutions that support our customers and industry partners.
CTech Manufacturing is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in the workplace.