Purchasing Specialist

About Us:

Drake Plastics is a high-tech manufacturing company headquartered in Cypress, Texas, serving industry-leading customers across aerospace, space, energy, semiconductor, defense, medical, and other demanding markets. We operate in a collaborative, supportive environment where employees are trained, valued, and empowered. As a growing organization, Drake offers meaningful opportunities for career development and professional growth. Our customers are central to everything we do, and we succeed by working together.

Position Summary:

The Purchasing Specialist is responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and procuring machined parts, specialty manufacturing services, raw materials, and MRO supplies to support production and operational needs. This role works closely with Engineering, Production, Quality, and Finance to ensure materials and services are delivered on time, meet quality requirements, and align with cost and inventory objectives. The ideal candidate brings hands-on experience in a manufacturing environment and a strong understanding of technical purchasing requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

Procurement & Supplier Management

• Source and purchase machined components, fabricated parts, specialty manufacturing services, raw materials, and MRO items
• Identify, evaluate, and maintain relationships with qualified suppliers and service providers
• Maintain ASL documentation per AS9100 requirements
• Request, analyze, and compare quotes; negotiate pricing, lead times, terms, and contracts
• Issue purchase orders and manage order acknowledgments, changes, and discrepancies
  
  

Manufacturing & Technical Support

• Collaborate with Sales, Engineering and Production to understand drawings, specifications, tolerances, and material requirements
• Support new product introductions, supplier qualifications, and cost-reduction initiatives
• Ensure suppliers meet quality, delivery, and compliance standards
  
  

Inventory & Cost Control

• Monitor inventory levels and usage trends to support production schedules and minimize stockouts or excess inventory
• Coordinate with Planning and Operations to align purchasing activities with demand forecasts
• Track cost variances and assist with continuous improvement and savings initiatives
  
  

MRO & Facility Support

• Procure maintenance, repair, and operations supplies to support equipment and facility needs
• Work with Maintenance and Facilities teams to ensure timely availability of critical items
  
  

Systems & Reporting

• Maintain accurate purchasing records within the ERP system
• Resolve invoice discrepancies and work with Accounts Payable as needed
• Manage and generate purchasing and supplier performance reports and KPIs as required
  
  

Qualifications & Requirements:

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience
• 3 years of experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment
• Experience sourcing raw materials, MRO supplies and buying or producing machined parts
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and technical specifications
• Strong negotiation, organizational, and communication skills.
• Thrifty by nature, good work ethic.
• Experience working in an ERP/MRP system. (Drake uses SAP Business 1).
  
  

Preferred

• Experience purchasing specialty manufacturing services (machining, fabrication, heat treating, coatings, etc.)
• Knowledge of plastics, metals, resins, and industrial consumables
• Knowledge and experience with machined plastic parts, drawings, tolerancing and GD&T
• Familiarity with supplier quality requirements and ISO-based environments
• Experience supporting cost-reduction and supplier development initiatives
  
  

Work Environment / Schedule: (as applicable):

Office-based role in a professional environment. Work schedule is Monday-Friday, 8:30 am – 5:30 pm, with flexibility as required for peak periods.

Qualified Internal Candidates encouraged to apply.

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