Purchasing Specialist
Klauber Machine & Gear - Pacific, MO
Reports to: Production Control Manager
Salary Exempt
1st Shift, Full Time
M-F 8am - 4:30 pm
Manages Others: No
BENEFITS
Voluntary
- Medical insurance with 1st $500 expenses paid by the company
- Dental & Vision
- Life & AD&D
- Critical Care, Accident & Hospital Indemnity
- 401K / 401K ROTH
Benefits paid for by the company
- Short Term Disability
- Long Term Disability
- Basic Life Insurance 1x salary, $10K spouse, $5K each child (age limits apply)
- 401K, 401K Roth Company Match
- 80 hours pro-rated Vacation 1st year plus an additional day each year at anniversary date
- 56 hours Paid Sick Leave
- 10 Paid holidays!
JOB PURPOSEThe Purchasing Specialist is responsible for sourcing and procuring the materials, supplies, equipment, and services required to support Klauber Machine & Gear Company’s production schedules, operational goals, and cost objectives. This role plays a critical part in ensuring a reliable supply chain by making strategic purchasing decisions that balance cost, quality, delivery, and manufacturing priorities.
The Purchasing Specialist negotiates with suppliers, develops and maintains strong supplier relationships, and proactively resolves supply, delivery, and quality issues in collaboration with internal departments. This position also coordinates and expedites the procurement of inventory and production components to ensure manufacturing requirements are met and production schedules remain on track.
As a highly visible role within the organization, the Purchasing Specialist has the opportunity to make a direct impact on operational performance, contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, and grow professionally within the company.
Work Location: This is an on-site only role that requires daily interaction and collaboration with multiple departments to ensure effective communication, timely decision-making, and operational efficiency.
JOB RESPONSIBILITY SUMMARY
General Responsibilities:
- Negotiate with suppliers for materials, components, and services to secure competitive pricing, favorable terms, and reliable service while maintaining strong vendor relationships
- Manage MRO purchasing activities and inventory replenishment to ensure uninterrupted material availability and support production requirements
- Coordinate subcontracted services, including heat treating, plating, and other outside processing requirements
- Oversee inbound domestic and international shipments by working closely with freight forwarders, customs brokers, and transportation providers
- Solicit and evaluate supplier quotations (RFQs), analyzing cost, lead time, risk, and quality factors to identify cost-saving opportunities
- Address supplier quality issues by communicating nonconforming material concerns and driving corrective action
- Monitor market trends, pricing fluctuations, manufacturing processes, and engineering developments to support strategic purchasing decisions
- Review ERP/MRP-generated material requirements daily and manage purchasing actions to meet production and engineering demands
- Create and maintain purchase orders, amendments, and sourcing documentation while collaborating with Engineering and Production to ensure timely procurement
- Expedite and adjust supplier deliveries to prevent production disruptions and material shortages
- Identify, qualify, and develop new suppliers to improve supply chain performance and mitigate sourcing risks
- Support sustainability initiatives by identifying opportunities to reuse, recycle, and reduce material waste
- Evaluate supplier performance based on quality, delivery, service, and cost metrics, and implement improvement strategies where necessary
- Conduct supplier meetings to review performance, communicate forecasts, and discuss business requirements
- Establish new suppliers within the ERP system, including vendor setup, credit applications, and payment terms administration
- Maintain accurate purchasing records, supplier documentation, and compliance-related files
- Provide cross-functional support and serve as a backup for office personnel when required
- Ensure compliance with company safety policies, procedures, and workplace standards
- Collaborate with team members to achieve departmental and organizational objectives
- Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned
NOTE: The proceeding examples are representative of the assignments and responsibilities performed by this position and are not intended to be all-inclusive.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES
(To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and ability required.)
Education/ Licensure/ Credential
Required: High school diploma or equivalent
Preferred: Associate’s degree or equivalent related experience, APICS certification is a plus
Experience
Required: 3 years’ relevant purchasing and/or materials control experience in a manufacturing environment
Preferred: 5 years’ progressively responsible purchasing and materials control experience in a manufacturing environment
Special Knowledge/Skills
Required:
- Proficient use of Microsoft Office Suite and basic office tools and equipment
- Must have good time management skills, be highly motivated to problem solve, detail oriented, and able to establish priorities
- Strong organizational skills, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, customer service focus, technical capacity, as well as the ability to work well in a team environment
Preferred:
- Infor Visual MRP experience and negotiation skills
- Instinctively sees opportunity for improvement
Physical Demands Required:
- The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation can be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Standing, walking, and sitting for a majority of the time
- Use of hands and arms to touch, lift, and reach, etc.
- Talking and hearing for a majority of the time
- Typing for portion of time
- Lifting and/or exerting up to 10 lbs. of weight/force occasionally and up to 50 lbs. of weight /force occasionally
- Occasionally exposed to production floor elements such as noise, dust, fumes, odors, and heat
- Occasionally working on production floor without climate control
- Must be capable of remembering, imagining, logical, numerical, and verbal reasoning, perceiving, problem solving, and providing output that users can act upon
- Cognitive requirements include ability to learn quickly, handle multiple complex tasks simultaneously, demonstrate strong attention to detail, and be highly productive without need for much supervision
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
As required in various production work areas including safety eyewear, gloves, safety shoes
