Purchasing Specialist
Automated Cutting Technologies, Inc. (ACT, Inc.)
Nicholasville, Kentucky | On-site
ACT, Inc., a leading manufacturer of custom retail store fixtures and displays, is seeking an experienced Purchasing Specialist to join our team in Nicholasville, Kentucky.
This position is ideal for a purchasing professional who understands the materials, components, suppliers, and lead times involved in custom manufacturing. The Purchasing Specialist will work closely with engineering, project management, production, accounting, and vendors to ensure materials and components are sourced accurately, competitively, and on schedule.
Preferred Industry Experience
We are especially interested in candidates with purchasing or sourcing experience involving:
- Retail store fixtures and displays
- Architectural millwork or commercial cabinetry
- Custom manufacturing
- Wood, metal, acrylic, laminate, glass, hardware, and other mixed materials
- Domestic and international suppliers
- Products, materials, or components sourced from Southeast Asia
- International freight, lead times, quality control, and import-related purchasing requirements
Responsibilities
- Source materials, components, hardware, and outside services
- Request and evaluate supplier quotations
- Negotiate pricing, lead times, payment terms, and delivery requirements
- Issue and manage purchase orders
- Track orders and communicate potential delays
- Coordinate material requirements with engineering, project management, and production
- Maintain accurate purchasing records and supplier information
- Develop and maintain strong vendor relationships
- Identify new domestic and international suppliers
- Assist with supplier evaluations, quality concerns, and corrective actions
- Support cost-reduction and supply-chain improvement initiatives
- Coordinate international sourcing, freight, and import-related purchasing activities
- Travel domestically and internationally when necessary
International travel may include trips to Southeast Asia to develop suppliers, evaluate manufacturing capabilities, resolve production issues, and support sourcing and quality initiatives.
Qualifications
- Minimum of 3–5 years of purchasing, procurement, or supply-chain experience
- Experience in retail fixtures, millwork, cabinetry, or mixed-material manufacturing strongly preferred
- Strong organizational, communication, and negotiation skills
- Ability to manage multiple projects, suppliers, and deadlines
- Strong attention to detail and follow-through
- Ability to read bills of materials, specifications, drawings, or related manufacturing documents
- Comfortable working closely with engineering, production, accounting, and project management
- Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally
- Experience sourcing from Southeast Asia is strongly preferred
- Experience working for a manufacturing company with annual revenue exceeding $20 million is preferred
Schedule
Monday–Friday
8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Work Location
Nicholasville, Kentucky
This is a full-time, on-site position.
Benefits
- Paid time off
- Profit sharing
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Life insurance
Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply and learn more about joining ACT, Inc.’s experienced custom manufacturing team.
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
