What are the responsibilities and job description for the Purchasing Agent position at Tarter Gate Company, LLC?
Job Title: Strategic Buyer / Procurement Specialist (On-Site – Manufacturing Environment)
Location: On-site (Manufacturing Floor Presence Required)
Company: Growth-focused manufacturing organization with strong internal career advancement opportunities
About the Role
We are seeking a highly motivated, analytical, and relationship-driven Strategic Buyer / Procurement Specialist to join our team. This is a hands-on, on-site role that requires regular presence on the manufacturing floor to build strong operational partnerships and ensure materials flow seamlessly to support production.
This position is ideal for a procurement professional who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, enjoys negotiating and solving complex supply challenges, and is eager to grow within an organization that values performance, development, and long-term career progression.
Key Responsibilities
Conduct market research to identify and evaluate potential vendors, making informed procurement decisions that reduce cost and improve delivery performance.
Build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with internal departments, vendors, and suppliers.
Initiate RFQs and RFPs as required and obtain comparative pricing to support strategic sourcing decisions.
Negotiate contracts and place purchase orders to secure the best pricing, terms, and service levels.
Resolve supplier performance issues including late deliveries, shortages, rejected materials, and service-related concerns.
Partner cross-functionally with operations, engineering, finance, and leadership to identify purchasing needs, budget impacts, and solutions.
Review material requirements and prepare purchase orders within the ERP system, ensuring accuracy of specifications and terms.
Manage delivery schedules for large or blanket purchase orders to maintain optimal inventory levels while minimizing cash outlay.
Maintain comprehensive records of transactions, quotes, negotiations, contracts, and issue resolutions.
Monitor vendor scorecards and proactively identify alternate or secondary sources when necessary.
Authorize payments for resolved discrepant deliveries.
Provide departmental backup support and complete additional duties as assigned.
Required Skills & Qualifications
Experience working with ERP systems within a manufacturing environment.
Strong working knowledge of MRP, supply chain management, production operations, and project engineering.
Demonstrated success in negotiation, vendor management, and contract execution.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to influence across functions.
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving capabilities.
Ability to perform effectively under pressure in a fast-paced production environment.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint).
Self-starter mindset with a proactive, ownership-driven approach.
Why Join Us
On-site role with direct impact on manufacturing performance and business results.
Clear career growth pathways within a growing organization.
Collaborative culture that values innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Opportunity to work closely with operations and leadership teams to drive strategic supply initiatives.