Material Buyer/ Procurement Specialist (On-site)

Vaco; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 95,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Vaco in Hoover, AL is seeking a detail-oriented Material Buyer / Procurement Specialist to support purchasing and logistics operations. This on-site role involves identifying suppliers, negotiating pricing, and coordinating purchase orders and shipments to optimize inventory and throughput.

The ideal candidate will analyze market trends and freight costs to drive cost-saving decisions, manage supplier relationships, and work closely with leadership to improve profitability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in purchasing, procurement, buying, logistics, or supply chain operations preferred.
• Experience negotiating with suppliers and evaluating pricing, freight costs, or material costs is a plus.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to evaluate market conditions, pricing trends, and cost-saving opportunities.
• Strong negotiation, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to build productive working relationships with suppliers, transportation partners, and internal leadership.
• Financial acumen and an understanding of pricing structures, cost analysis, and profitability.
• Willingness to travel occasionally for supplier visits and industry events.

Responsibilities

• Research and identify qualified suppliers of raw materials and recyclable commodities.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with new and existing suppliers through consistent communication, collaboration, and negotiation.
• Negotiate competitive pricing based on market conditions, material quality, freight costs, and margin objectives.
• Collaborate with management and the purchasing team to coordinate orders and communicate order status.
• Monitor raw material inventory, order backlogs, and incoming shipments to identify opportunities to increase order volume and improve supply availability.
• Coordinate with suppliers and transportation partners to evaluate freight costs, arrange pickups, and develop efficient shipping strategies.
• Track orders and shipments to help ensure timely delivery and resolve potential delays or logistical issues.
• Analyze commodity market trends, pricing indicators, and industry developments to support informed purchasing decisions.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and recommend strategies to improve purchasing efficiency and profitability.
• Address nonconforming materials, investigate discrepancies, and coordinate resolutions with suppliers and management.
• Maintain accurate purchasing records, supplier information, pricing data, and order documentation within internal systems.
• Provide regular updates to management regarding supplier activity, purchasing trends, order status, and potential market changes.
• Travel occasionally to visit suppliers and attend industry trade shows, seminars, and related events.

Skills

Negotiation

Analytical thinking

Data analysis

Communication

Excel

PowerPoint

Problem-solving

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain management, logistics, finance, or a related field

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

Material Buyer / Procurement Specialist

Hoover, AL – (On-site)

$95,000-$105,000 (DOE) + bonus and benefits

Position Overview

Our client is seeking a driven, detail-oriented Material Buyer / Procurement Specialist to support purchasing and logistics operations. This individual will be responsible for identifying and developing supplier relationships, negotiating competitive pricing, coordinating purchase orders and shipments, and monitoring inventory and order activity.

The ideal candidate is analytical, proactive, and comfortable evaluating market trends, freight costs, and supplier pricing to make strategic purchasing decisions. This role offers the opportunity to directly impact cost management, operational efficiency, and overall profitability while working closely with suppliers and company leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Research and identify qualified suppliers of raw materials and recyclable commodities.


• Establish and maintain strong relationships with new and existing suppliers through consistent communication, collaboration, and negotiation.


• Negotiate competitive pricing based on market conditions, material quality, freight costs, and margin objectives.


• Collaborate with management and the purchasing team to coordinate orders and communicate order status.


• Monitor raw material inventory, order backlogs, and incoming shipments to identify opportunities to increase order volume and improve supply availability.


• Coordinate with suppliers and transportation partners to evaluate freight costs, arrange pickups, and develop efficient shipping strategies.


• Track orders and shipments to help ensure timely delivery and resolve potential delays or logistical issues.


• Analyze commodity market trends, pricing indicators, and industry developments to support informed purchasing decisions.


• Identify cost-saving opportunities and recommend strategies to improve purchasing efficiency and profitability.


• Address nonconforming materials, investigate discrepancies, and coordinate resolutions with suppliers and management.


• Maintain accurate purchasing records, supplier information, pricing data, and order documentation within internal systems.


• Provide regular updates to management regarding supplier activity, purchasing trends, order status, and potential market changes.


• Travel occasionally to visit suppliers and attend industry trade shows, seminars, and related events.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain management, logistics, finance, or a related field preferred.


• 10+ years of experience in purchasing, procurement, buying, logistics, or supply chain operations preferred.


• Experience negotiating with suppliers and evaluating pricing, freight costs, or material costs is a plus.


• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.


• Analytical mindset with the ability to evaluate market conditions, pricing trends, and cost-saving opportunities.


• Strong negotiation, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills.


• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.


• Highly organized with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.


• Ability to build productive working relationships with suppliers, transportation partners, and internal leadership.


• Financial acumen and an understanding of pricing structures, cost analysis, and profitability.


• Willingness to travel occasionally for supplier visits and industry events.

What We're Looking For

The ideal candidate is a motivated procurement professional who combines analytical thinking with strong relationship-building and negotiation skills. They can balance day-to-day purchasing responsibilities with a broader understanding of market conditions, supply availability, and transportation costs. This individual should be comfortable working in an office-based environment, communicating with leadership, and taking initiative to identify opportunities that support the company's purchasing and profitability goals.