Purchasing Coordinator

ZA Railroad Services, founded in 2010 in Brandon, Mississippi, has grown from a two-person operation serving a single mainline railroad into a nationwide contractor with over 500 employees. The company now supports the entire railroad industry, including mainline and short line railroads, as well as private sector clients. With a specialized fleet of more than 500 industry-specific vehicles and pieces of equipment, ZA Construction delivers comprehensive field services across the United States. The organization is committed to earning and maintaining customer trust by consistently meeting and striving to exceed expectations. Team members join a culture focused on quality, efficiency, and effective solutions to complex operational challenges.

The Purchasing Coordinator is a full-time role based in Mendenhall, MS. This role is responsible for coordinating day-to-day purchasing activities, including creating and managing purchase orders, tracking order status, and ensuring timely delivery of materials, supplies, and services. The Purchasing Coordinator will work closely with project managers, field supervisors, and vendors to confirm specifications, pricing, and delivery dates, and to resolve discrepancies or delays. Daily tasks include maintaining accurate purchasing records, updating vendor information, monitoring inventory levels, and assisting with cost comparisons and budget tracking. The role also involves supporting procurement process improvements, ensuring compliance with company policies, and contributing to a reliable, cost-effective supply chain.

Salary is commensurate with experience.

• Source, price, and purchase parts, supplies, equipment, materials, and services in accordance with ZA Railroad Services needs and purchasing procedures.
• Create, review, and manage purchase orders, including verifying quantities, costs, and delivery terms.
• Work with vendors to obtain quotes, compare pricing, negotiate terms, and ensure timely delivery of purchased items.
• Monitor in-house and off-site inventory levels, stock counts, reorder points, and high-use parts to ensure needed items are available when required.
• Maintain accurate purchasing records, purchase orders, invoices, vendor information, pricing history, and delivery documentation.
• Coordinate deliveries, shipments, returns, warranty issues, backorders, and vendor follow-up as needed.
• Support job costing and cost control by ensuring purchases are properly documented, coded, and approved.
• Communicate professionally with vendors, employees, supervisors, and management regarding inventory levels, purchasing needs, purchasing status, delays, substitutions, and cost concerns.
• Follow ZA Railroad Services policies, safety procedures, approval processes, and applicable purchasing requirements.

• Hands-on experience in purchasing and procurement, preferably in construction, industrial services, or a related field.
• Previous experience in purchasing, procurement, parts management, inventory control, or a related role required.
• Ability to understand part numbers, equipment needs, supply requirements, pricing, substitutions, and delivery timelines.
• Computer savvy and comfortable using email, spreadsheets, purchasing systems, inventory software, vendor portals, and Microsoft Office programs.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple purchase requests, deadlines, and priorities simultaneously.
• Good communication, negotiation, and follow-up skills are required.
• Associate degree, technical training, or coursework in business, supply chain, procurement, or inventory management preferred.
• Previous experience in a coordinating, administrative, or logistics role is preferred; railroad or construction industry experience is beneficial.

This position may require work in an office, warehouse, shop, yard, or field environment depending on business needs. The Purchasing Agent must be able to travel periodically to vendors, suppliers, job sites, and ZA Railroad Services locations. Occasional lifting, standing, walking, or inspecting parts and materials may be required.

ZA Railroad Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.