Purchasing Agent Job Description
Sheet Metal Fabrication Job Shop
Position Title
Purchasing Agent
Reports To
Operations Manager / Supply Chain Manager / General Manager
Position Summary
The Purchasing Agent is responsible for sourcing, purchasing, and managing materials, supplies, subcontract services, and inventory required to support a custom sheet metal fabrication job shop. The role ensures that raw materials, hardware, consumables, and outside processing services are available on time, at competitive costs, and meet quality requirements. The Purchasing Agent works closely with production, engineering, estimating, inventory control, and suppliers to support efficient operations and customer satisfaction.
Key Responsibilities
Purchasing & Procurement
Source and purchase raw materials including sheet metal, plate, structural steel, aluminum, stainless steel, tubing, and hardware.
Procure fabrication consumables such as welding supplies, tooling, abrasives, gases, and safety equipment.
Obtain and evaluate vendor quotations to ensure the best combination of price, quality, delivery, and service.
Issue purchase orders and monitor supplier compliance with delivery schedules and specifications.
Negotiate pricing, payment terms, and contracts with suppliers.
Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships.
Material Planning & Inventory Management
Monitor inventory levels and replenish stock materials as needed.
Coordinate material requirements based on production schedules and customer orders.
Maintain appropriate inventory levels to balance material availability with carrying costs.
Track and manage shortages, backorders, and critical materials.
Conduct regular inventory reviews and assist with physical inventory counts.
Supplier Management
Evaluate supplier performance regarding quality, cost, delivery, and responsiveness.
Develop alternative sources for key materials and services to reduce supply risk.
Resolve supplier issues related to quality, delivery delays, and invoicing discrepancies.
Maintain approved supplier lists and vendor records.
Subcontract Services Management
Coordinate outside processing services such as powder coating, painting, plating, anodizing, heat treating, machining, and specialty fabrication.
Monitor subcontractor schedules to ensure customer delivery commitments are met.
Expedite outsourced services when production schedules require priority handling.
Verify subcontract services meet customer and quality requirements.
Cost Control & Continuous Improvement
Identify opportunities for cost reduction and process improvements.
Analyze purchasing trends and recommend strategies to improve material utilization and supplier performance.
Support value engineering initiatives and alternative sourcing opportunities.
Assist management with annual budgeting and forecasting activities.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Work closely with estimating to obtain accurate material and subcontract costs for customer quotations.
Coordinate with production to ensure materials are available to support manufacturing schedules.
Collaborate with engineering regarding material specifications and supplier capabilities.
Partner with accounting to reconcile invoices, pricing discrepancies, and vendor payments.
ERP System & Documentation
Maintain accurate purchasing records within the ERP/MRP system.
Process purchase orders, receipts, and supplier documentation.
Ensure proper recordkeeping of certifications, material test reports, and compliance documents.
Generate purchasing and inventory reports for management review.
Qualifications
Education
Associate's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Manufacturing, or a related field preferred.
Equivalent purchasing and manufacturing experience may be considered in lieu of formal education.
Experience
3-5 years of purchasing experience in a manufacturing environment.
Experience within sheet metal fabrication, metal manufacturing, or industrial production preferred.
Experience purchasing metals, hardware, fabricated components, and subcontract services is highly desirable.
Technical Knowledge
Understanding of sheet metal fabrication processes including laser cutting, punching, forming, welding, machining, assembly, and finishing.
Familiarity with metal grades, gauges, dimensions, and material specifications.
Experience with ERP/MRP systems and inventory control processes.
Ability to read engineering drawings and bills of material (BOMs).
Strong Microsoft Excel and data analysis skills.
Professional Skills
Strong negotiation and vendor management abilities.
Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Detail-oriented with a high degree of accuracy.
Physical Requirements
Ability to work in both office and manufacturing environments.
Occasional shop floor visits to verify inventory, production requirements, and supplier deliveries.
Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.
Ability to operate standard office equipment and computer systems.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Purchasing Performance
Material Cost Savings
Purchase Price Variance (PPV)
Supplier On-Time Delivery
Supplier Quality Performance
Purchase Order Accuracy
Inventory Performance
Inventory Accuracy
Inventory Turns
Stockout Frequency
Material Availability for Production
Operational Performance
On-Time Material Delivery
Expedite Costs
Supplier Lead Time Reduction
Outside Processing Turnaround Performance
ERP Data Accuracy
Success Profile
A successful Purchasing Agent proactively ensures materials and services are available when needed, develops strong supplier partnerships, controls costs, minimizes supply chain disruptions, and supports the fabrication shop's ability to deliver high-quality products on time and within budget. Their effectiveness directly contributes to production efficiency, customer satisfaction, and company profits.
Pay: $51,074.34 - $61,508.88 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
