What are the responsibilities and job description for the Purchasing/Procurement Specialist position at Vaco by Highspring?
We are a growing manufacturing organization committed to operational excellence, quality, and continuous improvement. We are seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Purchasing/Procurement Specialist to support our supply chain operations by sourcing materials, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring uninterrupted production through effective inventory and purchasing strategies.
Position SummaryThe Purchasing/Procurement Specialist is responsible for sourcing raw materials, components, supplies, and services required to support manufacturing operations. This individual will work closely with suppliers, operations, production planning, engineering, and finance teams to maintain inventory levels, optimize costs, and ensure on-time delivery of materials.
Key Responsibilities- Source and procure materials, components, equipment, and services to support manufacturing operations.
- Issue and manage purchase orders, ensuring accuracy and timely delivery of materials.
- Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships while monitoring performance related to quality, cost, and delivery.
- Negotiate pricing, terms, and contracts to achieve cost savings and improve supplier performance.
- Analyze inventory levels, demand forecasts, and production schedules to ensure adequate material availability.
- Monitor supplier lead times and proactively address potential shortages or delivery issues.
- Collaborate with production, engineering, quality, and logistics teams to support operational goals.
- Maintain accurate purchasing, inventory, and supplier data within ERP systems.
- Support RFQ, RFP, and supplier selection processes.
- Identify opportunities for process improvements, cost reductions, and supply chain efficiencies.
- Generate purchasing and procurement performance reports and KPIs.
- Ensure compliance with company policies, ethical sourcing standards, and procurement procedures.
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, or related field preferred.
- 3 years of purchasing, procurement, or supply chain experience in a manufacturing environment.
- Strong understanding of inventory management, production planning, and supplier management.
- Experience with ERP/MRP systems such as SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, JD Edwards, or similar platforms.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including data analysis and reporting.
- Strong negotiation, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
- Experience with strategic sourcing and supplier contract negotiations.
- Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, or Six Sigma concepts.
- Professional certifications such as CPM, CPSM, or APICS are a plus.
- Experience supporting multi-site manufacturing operations.
Vaco by Highspring is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by federal, state or local law.
Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact HR@vaco.com.
Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal.
By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. You also agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal.
For residents of Ontario, Canada: Based on Highspring's discussions with its Client, Highspring's understanding is that this position for employment is a current vacancy (either through Highspring as a contractor or with the client directly).
Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries ("we," "our," or "Vaco by Highspring") respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies.
- California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here.
- Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here.
- Residents of all other states may access our policies here.
- Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here.
- Residents of countries governed by GDPR may access our policies here.
Additionally, submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. More details about Vaco by Highspring's use of AI can be found here (https://www.highspring.com/ai-use-notices/). Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase will be conducted by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco by Highspring does not know and cannot opine on if its client's use of AI products in hiring.
Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to:
- the individual's skill sets, experience and training;
- licensure and certification requirements;
- office location and other geographic considerations;
- other business and organizational needs.
With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses.