Purchasing Agent

Cepedaassociates; Louisville, Northern (KY, KY); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Cepedaassociates in Louisville, KY is seeking a skilled purchasing professional to support the Purchasing Manager, Production Manager, Contract Administrator, and Engineering. You will procure materials, monitor inventory, and drive cost reductions while ensuring quality and on-time delivery.

The role requires strong knowledge of supply chain concepts, BOMs, and ability to read blueprints/SOWs. You will work closely with engineering, operations, and production teams in a manufacturing setting.

Qualifications

• 5–10 years estimating/purchasing and manufacturing experience.
• Strong understanding of supply chain concepts and inventory management.
• Ability to quote and procure metals/raw materials by demand planning.
• Advanced knowledge of manufacturing and engineering processes.
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong organizational, multitasking and documentation skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Advanced analytical skills
• High-level mathematical skills
• Ability to read drawings and build a BOM
• Experience with an MRP system a plus
• Knowledge of government requirements is a plus

Responsibilities

• Purchase goods and services needed while ensuring quality and cost efficiency.
• Monitor inventory levels and anticipate demand to prevent shortages and excess.
• Identify cost drivers and drive cost reductions.
• Prepare, review, and track quotes and POs for on-time delivery.
• Develop and manage supplier relationships.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, quality, contract admin, and production teams to align with schedules.
• Read blueprints, specs, and SOWs to prepare estimates for complex equipment.
• Analyze supplier quotations to understand cost elements.
• Use MS Office, Excel, and an MRP system in daily work.
• Be detail-oriented and manage multiple tasks concurrently.
• Participate in Six Sigma and continuous improvement activities.
• Learn new MRP systems as needed

Skills

Estimating

Purchasing

Supply chain

Cost analysis

MS Office

Tools

MRP system

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

The position is to support the Purchasing Manager, Production Manager, Contract Administrator, and the Engineering Department, by procuring the appropriate material or parts in accordance with specified customer requirements and government regulations.

Reports to Purchasing Manager

Responsibilities & Duties

Purchase goods and services needed while ensuring quality standards are met and are cost efficient

Monitor inventory levels and anticipate demand to ensure adequate stock levels are maintained without accruing excess inventory

Identify factors affecting costs, such as production time, materials and labor and drive cost reductions

Prepare, review, and track quotes and PO’s and ensure on-time delivery

Develop and manage supplier relationships

Work closely with the engineering team, operations, quality, contract administrator, and production team to ensure alignment with production schedules

Ability to read blueprints, technical specifications, and SOWs to prepare estimates for complex equipment is preferred

Analysis of supplier quotations/proposals to perform price/cost analysis and understand elements of cost

Use computer software/MRP, Excel, and Outlook

Be attentive to detail and possess the ability to handle multiple situations at a time

Take part in Six Sigma and continuous improvement activities

Flexibility with understanding and learning new MRP system

Skills/Training/Qualifications Required

A minimum of 5-10 years of estimating/purchasing and manufacturing experience required

Strong understanding of supply chain concepts and inventory management

Ability to quote and procure metals/raw materials by demand planning

Advanced knowledge of manufacturing and engineering processes

Ability to meet deadlines

Strong organizational, multitasking and documentation skills

Strong attention to detail

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Advanced analytical skills

High-level mathematical skills

Ability to read drawings and build a bill of materials (BOMs)

Ability to multitask, plan, organize, prioritize work, and meet deadlines

Ability to follow detailed instructions and follow instructions and procedures from management

Experience with a MRP system a plus

Knowledge of government requirements is a plus

Physical Requirements

Sedentary work (typical office requirements)

Intent and Function of Job Descriptions

Job descriptions assist organizations in ensuring that the hiring process is fairly administered and that qualified employees are selected. They are also essential to an effective appraisal system and related promotion, transfer, layoff, and termination decisions. Well-constructed job descriptions are an integral part of any effective compensation system.

All descriptions have been reviewed to ensure that only essential functions and basic duties have been included. Peripheral tasks, only incidentally related to each position, have been excluded. Requirements, skills, and abilities included have been determined to be the minimal standards required to successfully perform the positions. In no instance, however, should the duties, responsibilities, and requirements delineated be interpreted as all-inclusive. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate.

We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or any other status protected by law or regulation. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions be based on job‑related factors.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is possible that requirements may be modified to reasonably accommodate disabled individuals. However, no accommodations will be made which may pose serious health or safety risks to the employee or others or which impose undue hardships on the organization.

Job descriptions are not intended as and does not create employment contracts. The organization maintains its status as an at‑willing employer. Employees can be terminated for any reason not prohibited by law.