What are the responsibilities and job description for the Procurement Specialist position at Tailored Adhesives?
Company Description Tailored Adhesives, founded in 1977 and headquartered in Hickory, North Carolina, is the largest family-owned, privately held adhesive manufacturer in the United States, serving customers across North and Central America. The company specializes in custom-formulated adhesive solutions designed to meet exact application requirements and keep production lines running at peak performance. Its portfolio includes hot melt and water-based adhesives, emulsion polymers, mastics, resins, and other engineered formulations for industries such as furniture, automotive, packaging, construction, and textiles. Tailored Adhesives combines technical expertise, vertically integrated production, and close collaboration between sales and chemists to deliver consistent, efficient, and application-focused solutions. As a family-owned organization, it emphasizes long-term relationships, stability, and responsive support for customers whose operations depend on reliable adhesive performance.
Role Description The Procurement Specialist is a full-time, on-site role based in Hickory, NC. This position is responsible for managing the end-to-end procurement process, including creating and processing purchase orders, evaluating suppliers, and supporting contract negotiations to ensure cost-effective and reliable supply. Day-to-day activities include monitoring inventory levels, coordinating with production, R&D, and logistics teams to anticipate material needs, and maintaining accurate purchasing records. The role involves analyzing procurement data, tracking supplier performance, and identifying opportunities to improve quality, lead times, and pricing. The Procurement Specialist will collaborate with internal stakeholders to align purchasing decisions with operational requirements and company standards, while adhering to compliance, safety, and sustainability expectations.
Qualifications
Role Description The Procurement Specialist is a full-time, on-site role based in Hickory, NC. This position is responsible for managing the end-to-end procurement process, including creating and processing purchase orders, evaluating suppliers, and supporting contract negotiations to ensure cost-effective and reliable supply. Day-to-day activities include monitoring inventory levels, coordinating with production, R&D, and logistics teams to anticipate material needs, and maintaining accurate purchasing records. The role involves analyzing procurement data, tracking supplier performance, and identifying opportunities to improve quality, lead times, and pricing. The Procurement Specialist will collaborate with internal stakeholders to align purchasing decisions with operational requirements and company standards, while adhering to compliance, safety, and sustainability expectations.
Qualifications
- Strong procurement and purchasing skills, including experience with Procurement processes and Purchase Orders.
- Demonstrated ability in Supplier Evaluation and vendor management to ensure quality, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.
- Experience with Contract Negotiation, including terms, pricing, and service-level agreements.
- Solid Analytical Skills for interpreting data, comparing bids, forecasting demand, and optimizing costs.
- Experience in manufacturing, chemicals, or industrial supply chains is highly beneficial.
- Proficiency with ERP or procurement software and Microsoft Office (especially Excel).
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong attention to detail and organization.
- Ability to work on-site, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
- Professional certifications in procurement or supply chain (e.g., CPSM, CPIM) are a plus.