Purchasing Agent - Structural Steel

Atlantic Constructors, Inc.; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Dental Insurance Plan

Vision Insurance Plan

401(K) Retirement Plan with Generous 2

Health Savings Plan with Generous Plan

Wellness Programs

$0.00 COST FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL, SHORT-

Job summary

Atlantic Constructors, Inc. is seeking a skilled Purchasing Agent to manage material procurement for commercial and industrial projects in the Richmond area. You will review drawings, estimate needs, and develop strategic sourcing with vendors to meet project timelines.

The role requires strong negotiation and communication skills, experience with ERP and procurement software, and the ability to coordinate with project teams and fabrication staff. Office-based with occasional site visits.

Qualifications

• Five years' purchasing/estimation/coordination experience.
• Knowledge of structural steel materials and supply chains.
• Ability to read construction drawings and material schedules.
• Experience with purchase order systems and procurement software.

Responsibilities

• Review drawings and bid documents to determine material procurement.
• Develop purchasing strategies for steel, metals, plumbing, HVAC components.
• Solicit and evaluate vendor quotes; verify pricing and lead times.
• Coordinate with project teams to review BOMs and delivery schedules.
• Monitor long-lead materials and communicate procurement risks.
• Organize vendor deliveries and maintain PO records.

Skills

Negotiation

Organizational skills

Communication

Problem solving

Tools

ERP systems

Inventory management

Procurement software

Job description

At ACI we build our company and our culture not by counting people, but by making our people count!
Atlantic Constructors is seeking dynamic, motivated, career minded individuals to join our expanding team! Atlantic Constructors has been recognized as an industry leader in the Mid-Atlantic Region for over 50 years.

Benefits

• $0.00 COST FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL, SHORT TERM DISABILITY & LIFE INSURANCE (EMPLOYEE ONLY) COVERAGE!
• Dental Insurance Plan
• Vision Insurance Plan
• 401(K) Retirement Plan with Generous Company Matching
• Health Savings Plan with Generous Company Matching
• Wellness Programs
  

Atlantic Constructors offers competitive benefits, for more information check out our comprehensive list on our website. ACIBuilds.com

Essential Duties

• Reviews drawings, specifications, and other bid documents for assigned projects to determine material procurement requirements.
• Reviews project estimates and scopes of work to develop purchasing strategies for structural steel, miscellaneous metals, plumbing, HVAC, and mechanical system components.
• Solicits and evaluates vendor and supplier quotations while reviewing purchase order acknowledgments to verify pricing, material quantities, lead times, delivery schedules, product availability, scope compliance, and adherence to project specifications.
• Purchases structural steel, miscellaneous metals, supports, equipment, and commodity materials required for commercial and industrial construction projects.
• Coordinates and collaborates with project management, estimating, VDC, fabrication, and field operations to review material selections, routing, layout requirements, code compliance, and Bills of Material (BOMs), ensuring materials are procured accurately and delivered on schedule.
• Tracks long-lead materials and proactively communicates potential procurement risks, shortages, or delays.
• Organizes deliveries from vendors through phone and e-mail communications to support fabrication schedules and field installation requirements.
• Maintains accurate records of purchase orders, vendor quotations, commitments, and procurement activities.
• Assists with maintaining logs of purchasing commitments, rebates, and special pricing agreements.
• Maintains relationships with structural steel fabricators, distributors, and mechanical trade suppliers.
• Works with vendors to negotiate pricing, freight terms, payment terms, and delivery schedules.
• Assists in evaluating vendor performance related to pricing, quality, stocking levels, delivery performance, and order accuracy.
• Collaborates with fabrication and warehouse personnel to optimize inventory utilization and reduce unnecessary purchases.
• Verifies inventory availability before issuing purchase orders for frequently used materials.
• Assists Accounting and Billing with purchase order and invoice reconciliations.
• Resolves material discrepancies, shipping issues, vendor claims, and invoice variances.
• Reviews purchase order claims and supplier contracts in accordance with company policies and procedures.
• Monitors market conditions, commodity pricing, and supply chain trends affecting structural steel and mechanical materials.
• Identifies opportunities to leverage corporate purchasing agreements, volume discounts, vendor rebates, and strategic sourcing initiatives.
• Issues and manages purchase orders in compliance with company purchasing procedures, approval requirements, safety standards, business ethics policies, and other corporate purchasing guidelines.
• Demonstrates a collaborative mindset and a willingness to support broader purchasing activities as needed, to ensure overall team success.
  

Required

• Five years' experience in purchasing, estimating, project coordination, mechanical contracting, structural steel procurement, or an equivalent combination of education, vocational training, and experience.
• Knowledge of structural steel materials, miscellaneous metals, fabrication processes, and construction supply chains.
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, specifications, submittals, and material schedules.
• Experience with purchase order systems, inventory management, and procurement software.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong organizational, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and procurement deadlines simultaneously.
  

Work Environment

• Primarily works in an office environment.
• May periodically visit fabrication facilities, warehouses, vendor locations, and construction sites.
• May work in areas with exposure to moderate to high noise levels.
• May be exposed to construction activities, dust, fumes, and airborne particles.
• Frequent interaction with vendors, suppliers, project teams, accounting personnel, fabrication staff, and field personnel.
  

Physical Demands

• Prolonged periods of sitting or standing if preferred and computer work.
• Frequent use of computers, phones, and standard office equipment.
• Ability to review material inventories and inspect delivered materials when required.
• Ability to move throughout office, warehouse, fabrication, and project site environments.
  

Travel

• May require local travel to supplier facilities, fabrication shops, warehouses, and project locations.
• Overnight travel is generally not required.
  

Preferred

• Experience with commercial and industrial construction.
• Experience purchasing structural steel, miscellaneous metals, pipe, valves, fittings, and mechanical equipment.
• Experience working with fabrication shops and steel fabricators.
• Familiarity with procurement software, ERP systems, and inventory management systems.
• Established relationships with mechanical and structural steel suppliers.
• Prior military experience (not required)
  

Final compensation will be determined based on experience, education, licensure, skills, and other relevant factors
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

PURCHASING AGENT