Buyer

Kingspan; Winchester (VA); On-site; USD 59,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

KINGSAPAN Insulation is seeking a Purchasing Specialist in Winchester, VA to handle procurement of raw materials, services, and equipment. You will manage SAP-based purchasing, lead-time planning, and supplier communications to meet production needs and optimize working capital.

The role emphasizes hands-on purchasing execution, PO creation, supplier negotiation, and cross‑functional collaboration with planning and sales teams to forecast demand and maintain stock levels.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with purchasing experience.
• Proven negotiation skills with cost savings.
• Proficiency in MS Word and Excel; SAP/ERP experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Create purchase orders for raw materials and services and distribute them to vendors.
• Expedite orders, liaise with vendors and freight forwarders, update SAP and schedules.
• Maintain SAP data, track lead times, and manage MRP parameters and stock levels.
• Ensure POs are properly approved, matched to invoices, and accurately delivered.

Skills

Negotiation

Vendor relations

Forecasting

MS Word

MS Excel

English proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

SAP

Job description

Kingspan Insulation, is a leading manufacturer in energy efficiency and moisture management products, offering high performance insulation, building wraps and pre–insulated HVAC ductwork. The vast product range includes optimum, premium, and high-performance rigid insulation products which have many advantages over traditional insulation materials. Kingspan’s products are among the most thermally efficient and technically advanced insulation materials available.

Under the supervision of the Purchasing Manager and direction of the Director of Purchasing, performs duties related to the purchasing of Raw Materials, Services, Supplies, and Equipment in accordance with established policies and regulations for our Winchester, VA site. Working with the planning and sales teams across the division with forecasting for Raw Materials, House Wrap, Ancillaries, Packaging, and Consumables provides guidelines for the procurement of said products to meet the organisation's needs.

This position researches, evaluates and purchases materials, services, supplies and equipment based on price, service, quality, and warranty to meet the needs of Kingspan; handles the purchasing process, analyzes bid results and makes recommendations. Maintains relevant information within SAP and other systems. Manages stock to reduce total spend and working capital yet meet the on time in full requirements of a successful manufacturing organization.

Experience the advantages of a multinational corporation while enjoying the close-knit ambiance and personal relationships found in smaller businesses. At Kingspan Insulation, our vibrant and welcoming culture, couples with our impressive growth trajectory and exceptional employee benefits, will make you eager to build a long and rewarding career with us.

Hourly Range: $43.00-$48.00

Essential duties are interpreted as being descriptive and not restrictive in nature. Other duties may be assigned.

• Creates purchase orders for raw materials and other products and services. Distributes the purchase orders to vendors.
• Converts approved purchase requisitions and creates the purchase orders, then distributes both internally and externally, as appropriate.
• Expedites orders, is a liaison with vendors, freight forwarders and transport; maintains the information on SAP. Updates and distributes shipping schedules where appropriate.
• Creates inbounds in SAP to allow the correct receipting of raw materials and products on to the system.
• Working with AP to ensure the efficient processing of invoices.
• Maintenance and upkeep of purchase and stock information in SAP. Updating PIR with suppliers and prices, maintaining standard costs within SAP.
• Maintains MRP information for raw materials within SAP. Setting reorder levels and lead times to allow for the placing of purchase orders and the successful running of MRP.
• Manages and maintains stock levels in accordance with the organization’s goals.
• Hands‑on purchasing execution: Remain actively involved in day‑to‑day purchasing, including purchase requisition review, purchase‑order placement, order confirmations, expedites, shortages, late orders, substitutions, supplier communication, invoice discrepancies, and issue resolution.
• SAP and MRP ownership: Own purchasing execution through SAP and ensure MRP is used as the primary driver of material requirements and purchase‑order activity. Establish routines to review MRP exceptions, reschedule messages, shortages, past‑due orders, forecast consumption, and inventory risks.
• Single source of truth: Drive adoption of SAP as the single source of truth for suppliers, lead times, pricing, minimum order quantities, lot sizes, source lists, purchasing information records, contracts, open purchase orders, delivery dates, and material planning parameters. Reduce reliance on offline trackers and uncontrolled spreadsheets.
• Automation and process efficiency: Identify, prioritize, and implement SAP, workflow, reporting, and purchasing automation opportunities that reduce manual effort, improve control, accelerate decision‑making, and increase data accuracy.
• Supplier management: Establish and maintain strong supplier relationships. Monitor delivery, quality, responsiveness, capacity, risk, and commercial performance using structured scorecards and regular business reviews.
• Inventory and working capital: Balance material availability with working‑capital requirements. Review excess, obsolete, slow‑moving, and at‑risk inventory and lead actions to prevent accumulation, improve turns, and manage supplier commitments.
• Purchase‑order and control discipline: Ensure all purchases are supported by approved purchase orders, correct pricing, appropriate quantities, valid approvals, and accurate delivery dates. Establish controls for confirmations, changes, blanket orders, spot buys, and invoice matching.
• Communicates with vendors any problems and issues arising from the supply and invoicing of raw materials, services, products, and equipment. Maintains and gathers possible claim information as necessary. Providing appropriate information and documentation for returns.
• Forecasting for Raw Materials, House Wrap, Ancillaries, Packaging, and Consumables providing guidelines for the procurement of said products to meet the organisation's needs.
• Identifies new suppliers and sourcing of materials and services to meet the organization’s requirements.
• Participates in site and organisational meetings representing purchasing, exchanging knowledge and providing updates.
• Meets with suppliers both at our facilities and externally to negotiate supply, prices where required.
• Targets various non‑stock areas for cost savings. (e.g. Stationary, PPE)
• Contact for vending machines and other services such as: janitorial, waste, and Cintas, placing service calls and overseeing usage.
• Takes part and assists in stock inventories.

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

Education and/or Experience:

Minimum requirement of a Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent, with experience in purchasing. Prior experience in retail, customer service, or warehouse management is advantageous. Alternatively, a combination of education and experience that demonstrates the necessary skills, knowledge, and abilities is acceptable.

Demonstrated ability as an effective negotiator, consistently achieving cost savings.

The ideal candidate should possess self‑motivation and adaptability in their work approach. Proficiency in various Microsoft applications, particularly Word and Excel, is essential. Experience with SAP or a comparable enterprise resource planning (ERP) system is preferred.

Language Skills:

Proficiency in English communication, both oral and written. Capable of comprehending and following verbal and written instructions. Skilled in reading, analyzing, and interpreting general business publications and government regulations. Proficient in writing reports and business correspondence. Effective in presenting information and addressing inquiries from others.

Mathematical:

Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

Reasoning Skills:

Proficient in solving real‑world problems and handling diverse specific factors in situations with established standardization. Capable of comprehending and interpreting various instructions provided in written, verbal, diagrammatic, or scheduled formats.

Maintaining effectiveness when experiencing changes in work responsibilities or environment (e.g., people, processes, structure, or culture); adjusting effectively to change by exploring the benefits, trying new approaches, and collaborating with others to make the change successful. Adaptability supports our business driver of Driving Efficiency.

Customer Orientation

Placing the appropriate priority on the internal or external customer’s perspective when making decisions and taking action; implementing service practices that meet the customers’ and own organization’s needs. Customer Orientation supports our business driver of Increasing Financial Performance.

Decision Making

Identifying and understanding challenges and opportunities by gathering, analyzing, and interpreting quantitative and qualitative information; choosing the best course of action by establishing clear decision criteria, generating, and evaluating alternatives, and making timely decisions; taking action that is consistent with facts and optimizes probable consequences. Decision Making supports our business driver of Driving Efficiency.

Earning Trust (Establishes Credibility for Earning Trust)

Gaining others’ confidence by acting with integrity, communicating transparently, and following through on commitments; treating others and their ideas with respect and supporting them when faced with challenges. Earning Trust supports our business driver of Building a High‑Performance Culture.

Managing Work

Effectively managing one’s time and resources to ensure that work is completed efficiently. Managing Work supports our business drivers of Executing a Competitive Strategy and Driving Efficiency.

Teamwork

Working cooperatively in partnership with others to help a team or work group achieve its goals. Teamwork supports our business driver of Building a High‑Performance Culture.

Health & Safety

The ability to autonomously apply and adhere to health and safety protocols, contributing to the creation of a safe and secure work environment. Individuals with this competency are responsible for understanding, implementing, and promoting health and safety practices within their scope of work, ensuring compliance with regulations, and fostering a culture that prioritizes the well‑being of all employees.

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