Procurement / Purchasing Specialist

Reliable Electric & Lighting; Saranac (MI); On-site; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

Life insurance (company-paid)

Disability insurance

SIMPLE IRA with 3% match

Paid time off

Paid sick leave

Paid holidays

Professional growth opportunities

Job summary

Reliable Electric and Lighting is seeking an organized Procurement / Purchasing Specialist to join our Saranac, Michigan headquarters. This on-site role supports nationwide operations by ensuring timely, cost-effective purchasing of electrical materials, equipment and supplies.

The ideal candidate will manage multiple requests, negotiate with vendors, track orders, and collaborate with Service Managers, Project Managers, and field technicians to keep projects and service calls on schedule.

Qualifications

• Experience in purchasing, procurement, inventory management, or related administrative roles.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Excel, and other business applications.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work independently.
• Demonstrated ability to follow through on assigned responsibilities.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and manage outstanding orders effectively.

Responsibilities

• Process purchase requests for electrical materials, lighting products, equipment, and supplies.
• Obtain competitive pricing and negotiate with vendors for cost-effective purchasing.
• Place purchase orders accurately and promptly based on operational needs.
• Verify product availability, pricing, lead times, and delivery schedules.
• Identify alternative suppliers and products when materials are unavailable.
• Maintain strong relationships with vendors, distributors, and manufacturers.
• Ensure purchases comply with company procedures and purchasing requirements.
• Actively monitor outstanding purchase orders and follow up with vendors.
• Track shipments, backorders, and delivery confirmations.
• Identify potential delays and communicate concerns before they impact operations.
• Maintain purchasing records, order confirmations, and vendor communications.
• Resolve discrepancies involving pricing, quantities, damaged products, or incorrect shipments.
• Ensure purchasing requests are completed without delays.
• Maintain an organized system for tracking emails, open requests, and pending orders.
• Work closely with the Service Manager, Project Managers, Customer Service Representatives, and field technicians.
• Coordinate material requirements with appropriate operational personnel.
• Communicate purchasing updates clearly and professionally.
• Provide timely responses to internal requests and questions.
• Assist in resolving material availability issues that could delay service or projects.
• Maintain positive, professional relationships across departments.
• Assist with inventory control and material availability.
• Identify opportunities to reduce purchasing costs.
• Evaluate vendor pricing and purchasing trends.
• Help improve procurement processes and operational efficiency.
• Coordinate with warehouse personnel regarding incoming materials and inventory needs.

Skills

Purchasing

Procurement

Inventory management

Vendor relations

Communication

Organization

Microsoft Excel

Tools

Microsoft Outlook

Excel

Job description

Description

Job Type: Full-Time | Monday–Friday
Work Location: On-Site required, Saranac, Michigan

About Reliable Electric and Lighting

Reliable Electric and Lighting is a nationally recognized commercial electrical service and lighting contractor with nearly 30 years of experience providing dependable electrical solutions to customers across the United States.

Our services include commercial electrical maintenance and repairs, lighting retrofits, preventative maintenance, emergency electrical services, and electrical installations.

Our success is built on strong customer relationships, responsive service, and a team committed to delivering quality results.

We are looking for an experienced, organized, and motivated Procurement / Purchasing Specialist to join our team at our Saranac, Michigan headquarters.

Position Overview

The Procurement Specialist plays an important role in supporting our nationwide electrical service operations by ensuring materials, equipment, and supplies are purchased accurately, competitively, and delivered when needed.

This position requires someone who is highly organized, detail-oriented, and proactive in managing multiple purchasing requests simultaneously.

We are looking for someone who takes ownership of their responsibilities, follows through on commitments, and understands that timely purchasing directly impacts our field technicians, customers, and overall operations.

The ideal candidate is comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, communicating with vendors, tracking outstanding orders, and collaborating with internal departments to ensure projects and service calls stay on schedule.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities

Purchasing and Procurement

• Process purchase requests for electrical materials, lighting products, equipment, and supplies.
• Obtain competitive pricing and negotiate with vendors to ensure cost-effective purchasing.
• Place purchase orders accurately and promptly based on operational requirements.
• Verify product availability, pricing, lead times, and delivery schedules.
• Identify alternative suppliers and products when materials are unavailable.
• Maintain strong relationships with vendors, distributors, and manufacturers.
• Ensure purchases comply with company procedures and purchasing requirements.

Order Management and Follow-Up

• Actively monitor outstanding purchase orders and follow up with vendors regarding order status.
• Track shipments, backorders, and delivery confirmations.
• Proactively identify potential delays and communicate concerns before they affect operations.
• Maintain accurate purchasing records, order confirmations, and vendor communications.
• Resolve discrepancies involving pricing, quantities, damaged products, or incorrect shipments.
• Ensure purchasing requests are completed without unnecessary delays.
• Maintain an organized system for tracking emails, open requests, and pending orders.

Internal Communication and Coordination

• Work closely with the Service Manager, Project Managers, Customer Service Representatives, and field technicians.
• Coordinate material requirements with appropriate operational personnel.
• Communicate purchasing updates clearly and professionally.
• Provide timely responses to internal requests and questions.
• Assist in resolving material availability issues that could delay customer service or project completion.
• Maintain positive, professional working relationships across departments.

Inventory and Cost Management

• Assist with inventory control and material availability.
• Identify opportunities to reduce purchasing costs.
• Evaluate vendor pricing and purchasing trends.
• Help improve procurement processes and operational efficiency.
• Coordinate with warehouse personnel regarding incoming materials and inventory needs.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Previous experience in purchasing, procurement, inventory management, or a related administrative role.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Excel, and other business applications.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work independently.
• Demonstrated ability to follow through on assigned responsibilities.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and manage outstanding orders effectively.

Preferred Qualifications

• Purchasing experience within the electrical, construction, HVAC, plumbing, or skilled trades industries.
• Familiarity with electrical materials, lighting products, and commercial electrical equipment.
• Experience working with electrical distributors and material suppliers.
• Knowledge of purchase order systems and inventory management software.
• Experience negotiating pricing and managing vendor relationships.

Compensation and Benefits

Reliable Electric and Lighting offers competitive compensation based on experience and qualifications.

Our benefits package includes:

• Medical insurance
• Dental and vision insurance
• Company-paid and voluntary life insurance options
• Short-term and long-term disability benefits
• SIMPLE IRA retirement plan with a 3% company match, subject to eligibility requirements
• Paid time off
• Paid sick leave
• Paid holidays
• Opportunities for professional growth and development

Why Join Reliable Electric and Lighting?

At Reliable Electric and Lighting, we believe our employees are essential to our success.

We value reliability, commitment, integrity, respect, and passion in everything we do.

As a Procurement Specialist, you will play a meaningful role in supporting our nationwide operations and helping our service teams deliver dependable solutions to customers.

If you are organized, dependable, proactive, and enjoy working in a collaborative environment where your contributions make a difference, we encourage you to apply.

Reliable Electric and Lighting, Inc.

REAL Partners. REAL Solutions.

Reliable Electric and Lighting is an equal opportunity employer.