Purchasing Agent (Structural Steel)

Schuff Steel; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Schuff Steel Co. in Phoenix, AZ is seeking a Purchasing Agent to master the art of sourcing misc. steel materials, manage supplier relationships, and negotiate favorable contracts to support production.

You will evaluate quotes, monitor lead times, and ensure materials meet ASTM specs, including obtaining MTRs, while coordinating with production and logistics to keep operations running smoothly. This role requires 3–5 years of steel industry purchasing experience, proficiency in MS Office,

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• 3–5 years of purchasing agent/buyer experience in steel fabrication.
• Proficiency with MS Office, Excel, Bluebeam, and Oracle.

Responsibilities

• Source materials and negotiate contracts with suppliers.
• Manage supplier relationships and monitor performance.
• Coordinate inventory, forecast demand, and implement JIT where appropriate.
• Schedule deliveries to align with fabrication timelines and track shipments.
• Ensure materials meet specs and obtain mill test reports (MTRs).

Skills

Negotiation

Supplier management

Communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

MS Office

Excel

Bluebeam

Oracle

Job description

Overview

Purchasing Agents at Schuff Steel master the art of buying misc. steel materials by navigating competitive markets, high material costs, managing volatility, and ensuring uninterrupted production through strategic sourcing using the ERP/MRP system and other internal tools. Purchasing agents are also responsible for the outsourcing of all rolled, bent, cut and/or drilled plate as well as other produced material to fulfill production requirements. #LI-KF1

Responsibilities

• Procurement and Supplier Management
  • Sourcing materials
  • Negotiating contracts
  • Managing supplier relationships
  • Monitoring performance
  • Budget cost controls
  • Obtain and compare quotes from mills, service centers and distributors
  • Evaluate suppliers based on price, availability lead time and quality
  • Purchase all materials to schedule, special requirements, location, and budget
  • Review material and determine best nested requirement and buy materials
  • Accurately process purchase orders in a timely manner
  • Stays knowledgeable on all current market conditions and adjusts buying patterns accordingly.
• Inventory Control
  • Monitor stock
  • Forecast demand
  • Minimize costs
  • Coordinate with production to prevent shortages/overstocking
  • Implement Just-in-Time (JIT) strategies as appropriate
  • Track material usage and waste
• Logistics and Delivery Coordination
  • Schedule deliveries to align with fabrication timelines
  • Arrange freight and transportation as/if needed
  • Track shipments and resolve delays
• Coordination with Project Management, Production Planning, Production, and Field
  • Review advanced bill of materials
  • Clarify material grades and certifications meet ASTM standards
  • Communicate lead times to all internal departments
  • Support change orders and material revisions
  • Provide purchasing schedule for each project to internal departments
  • Offers technical assistance on specific product(s)
• Risk Management
  • Anticipate supply chain disruptions
  • Develop backup suppliers for critical materials
  • Manage contract risks and terms
• Quality and compliance
  • Ensure materials meet required specifications
  • Obtain mill test reports (MTRs)
  • Resolve material discrepancies or defects with suppliers
• Process Improvement
  • Analyze supply chain data, identify bottlenecks, and develop strategies to enhance efficiency and reduce costs
  • Develop and implement new strategies and workflows for procurement, inventory, and logistics
  • Optimize the entire flow of goods and services from sourcing to delivery

(This job description is not an exclusive or exhaustive list of all job responsibilities and functions that an employee in this position may be asked to perform. Above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed. Duties and responsibilities can be changed, expanded, reduced or delegated by management to meet the business needs of the company)

Qualifications

Education & Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Three to five (3-5) YOE in a Purchasing Agent/Buyer role within the steel fabrication or structural steel construction industry

Software & Technology:

• General understanding and knowledge MS Office, Excel, Bluebeam, and Oracle programs

Work Environment:

• Position requires as many hours needed to fulfill the daily and weekly obligations required to carry out the functions and generally performed inside a climate-controlled office environment
• This role may require employee to occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 lbs.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made upon request for those who have disabilities that qualify under the American with Disabilities Act.Schuff Steel Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer