Buyer

Southern Specialties; Tulsa (OK); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Specialties in Tulsa is seeking a strategic Buyer to maintain material availability, manage supplier relationships, and drive cost efficiency in metal fabrication and contract manufacturing. You\'ll source materials, negotiate terms, and collaborate across Production, Engineering, and Quality to keep operations running smoothly and customers satisfied.

You will monitor forecasts, optimize inventory, and drive supplier performance through data-driven decisions and strong partnerships.

Qualifications

• Manufacturing procurement experience; metal fabrication preferred.
• Strong negotiation and supplier management skills.
• Data-driven decisions with cost‑reduction focus.
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain or related field.
• APICS CPIM/CSCP certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Source raw materials and services for projects.
• Negotiate pricing, delivery, and service agreements.
• Monitor inventory, production schedules, and forecasts.
• Analyze purchasing data and supplier performance.
• Collaborate with Production, Engineering, Quality, Ops teams.
• Identify cost-reduction and quality-improvement opportunities.
• Manage supplier performance and reliability standards.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Procurement

Inventory management

Negotiation

Supplier relationships

Data analysis

Communication

Organizational skills

Problem solving

Cross-functional

Education

Bachelor's degree

APICS CPIM/CSCP certification

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Job description

Are you the kind of person who enjoys solving problems, building relationships, and finding creative ways to make things happen? At Southern Specialties, we're looking for an experienced Buyer who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and takes pride in keeping operations running smoothly.

As a Buyer, you'll play a critical role in our success by ensuring the right materials are available at the right time, at the right cost. You'll work closely with suppliers, production teams, and internal stakeholders to support our metal fabrication and contract manufacturing operations. Every day brings new challenges, opportunities to improve processes, and a chance to make a direct impact on our business.

Why You'll Love This Role

• You'll be a key player in keeping production moving and customers satisfied.
• You'll have the freedom to problem-solve, negotiate, and drive continuous improvement.
• You'll build strong partnerships with suppliers and internal teams.
• You'll work in an environment where initiative, curiosity, and new ideas are valued.

What You'll Do

• Source raw materials, components, and services to support metal fabrication and contract manufacturing projects.
• Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships while negotiating pricing, delivery, and service agreements.
• Monitor inventory levels, production schedules, and forecasts to ensure material availability.
• Analyze purchasing data, market trends, and supplier performance to make informed business decisions.
• Collaborate with Production, Engineering, Quality, and Operations teams to proactively resolve supply chain challenges.
• Identify opportunities to reduce costs, improve quality, and increase supply chain efficiency.
• Manage supplier performance and maintain high standards for quality, delivery, and reliability.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and help drive operational excellence across the organization.

What You Bring

• Experience purchasing materials and components in a manufacturing environment, preferably metal fabrication or contract manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of procurement, inventory management, and supply chain best practices.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong analytical abilities with experience using data to support decision-making.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
• A proactive mindset with the ability to anticipate challenges and develop solutions.
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• APICS certification (CPIM or CSCP).
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma principles.
• Experience working within ERP/MRP systems.
• Experience sourcing metals, fabricated components, or custom manufactured products.

The Ideal Candidate

You're naturally curious, highly organized, and enjoy balancing strategy with execution. You know how to build strong supplier partnerships, stay calm under pressure, and find solutions when obstacles arise. Most importantly, you understand that every purchasing decision impacts quality, cost, delivery, and ultimately our customers' success.