Purchasing and Project Coordinator

Position: Purchasing and Project Coordinator 

Location: Erie, PA

Company: Curtze Food Service

Employment Type: Full-Time

About Curtze Food Service: Curtze Food Service is a leading provider of quality food products, delivering exceptional service and support to our customers. With over 145 years of experience in the industry, we are dedicated to helping our clients succeed by offering tailored solutions and innovative services.

Key Responsibilities

Procurement & Buying

• Manage the full purchasing lifecycle for commercial foodservice equipment, including vendor selection, quote solicitation, purchase order issuance, and order tracking.
• Source equipment and supplies from approved vendor lists; evaluate alternatives and substitutions as needed to meet project specifications and budget targets.
• Coordinate with vendors and manufacturers' representatives to confirm lead times, pricing, availability, and delivery schedules.
• Review and process special orders, ensuring accuracy of item specifications, pricing, and documentation prior to submission.
• Monitor open purchase orders and follow up on outstanding shipments, back-orders, and delivery discrepancies.
• Maintain vendor records and pricing files; assist in evaluating vendor performance and identifying cost-saving opportunities.

Project Coordination

• Support the project management team by overseeing project phases, ensuring timelines and milestones are met.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date project documentation, including schedules, submittal packages, reports, and communication logs.
• Facilitate effective communication between internal teams, contractors, vendors, and clients to ensure all parties are informed and aligned.
• Monitor project budgets and track expenses to ensure projects remain within scope.
• Identify and address potential project risks and issues, escalating them to the appropriate team members as necessary.
• Assist in preparing project status reports and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.

Customer & Vendor Interface

• Serve as a point of contact for customers regarding equipment orders, addressing inquiries and providing timely updates on order and project status.
• Prepare customer-facing documentation including proposals, order confirmations, and submittal packages.
• Coordinate with the field sales team to support equipment scoping, specification review, and order entry as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain, Project Management, or a related field; or equivalent work experience.
• Proven experience in purchasing, procurement coordination, or project coordination, preferably within the foodservice equipment, distribution, or construction/renovation industry.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and purchase orders simultaneously.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with vendors, contractors, and clients.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook); experience with AutoQuotes, Monday.com, or similar platforms a plus.
• Detail-oriented with strong problem-solving and follow-through abilities.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Familiarity with commercial foodservice equipment specifications, NSF standards, or distributor operations is a plus.

Why Curtze Food Service?

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.
• A collaborative and supportive work environment.
• The chance to work with a team passionate about delivering exceptional service and solutions to our clients.