Purchasing Associate

Mainz Brady Group; Fort Worth (TX); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Mainz Brady Group is seeking a Purchasing Associate who will manage technology and AV equipment procurement across projects. The role requires strong vendor management, purchasing, inventory control, and negotiation, with cross-functional coordination to meet project timelines.

The successful candidate will ensure cost-effective purchases, maintain vendor relationships, and track orders to ensure on-time delivery, while supporting budgets and procurement efficiency.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of purchasing or procurement experience within the technology equipment industry.
• Experience sourcing, negotiating, and purchasing equipment from multiple vendors.
• Strong proficiency with QuickBooks Desktop.
• Advanced working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and Teams.
• Experience with purchase order management, vendor pricing, inventory tracking, and cost control.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated initiative, problem solving, and follow-through on commitments.
• Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and time management.
• Ability to maintain positive relationships with vendors, customers, and internal teams.

Responsibilities

• Manage equipment purchasing to meet project deadlines.
• Source products from multiple vendors for competitive pricing.
• Negotiate discounts beyond standard vendor pricing.
• Maintain relationships with vendors and suppliers.
• Verify model numbers, specifications, pricing, and availability.
• Track purchase orders and deliveries to meet required dates.
• Maximize vendor incentives, rebates, and discounts.
• Collaborate with Design, Sales, Operations, and warehouse teams to coordinate purchasing.

Skills

Vendor management

Negotiation

Procurement

Inventory control

Cross-functional collaboration

Project coordination

Attention to detail

Time management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or related field

4+ years of equivalent professional experience

Tools

QuickBooks Desktop

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Teams

Job description

Department: General Administration

Reports To: Controller

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Purchasing Associate to manage the procurement of technology and audiovisual (AV) equipment for multiple projects. This individual will ensure equipment and materials are purchased cost-effectively and delivered on time to support project schedules.

The ideal candidate will have strong vendor management, purchasing, inventory control, and negotiation skills, along with the ability to coordinate across multiple departments in a fast-paced, project-driven environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage equipment purchasing activities to ensure all project deadlines and schedules are met.
• Source products and equipment from multiple vendors to identify competitive pricing, favorable terms, and reliable suppliers.
• Negotiate additional discounts beyond standard vendor pricing to maximize cost savings.
• Maintain strong relationships with vendors and suppliers.
• Verify product model numbers, specifications, pricing, and availability for each project.
• Track purchase orders and product deliveries to ensure equipment arrives by required dates.
• Maximize available vendor incentives, rebates, and purchasing discounts.

Inventory & Cost Control

• Maintain accurate vendor pricing within estimating software and remove end-of-life (EOL) and discontinued products.
• Ensure equipment purchases remain within approved project budgets, excluding applicable quick-pay discounts.
• Maintain appropriate inventory levels of regularly stocked warehouse materials, including wire and other supplies.
• Partner with Design and Sales teams to monitor and minimize excess or nonstandard warehouse inventory.
• Develop corrective action plans when nonstandard inventory increases by 10% or more compared to the previous fiscal year.
• Identify opportunities to improve procurement efficiency and reduce overall purchasing costs.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Collaborate with Design and Sales teams to identify equipment requirements and coordinate purchasing activities.
• Work closely with Operations Managers, Project Managers, and warehouse personnel to ensure equipment availability.
• Coordinate with Engineering and Production teams to support project schedules and deadlines.
• Communicate purchasing updates, delivery timelines, and potential delays to internal stakeholders.
• Organize vendor Lunch-and-Learn sessions and product training events for Sales and Design teams.
• Partner with the Controller and CFO to support cash flow management and purchasing priorities.
• Escalate purchasing or project-related issues to leadership when necessary.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of purchasing or procurement experience within the technology equipment industry.
• Experience sourcing, negotiating, and purchasing equipment from multiple vendors.
• Strong proficiency with QuickBooks Desktop.
• Advanced working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and Teams.
• Experience with purchase order management, vendor pricing, inventory tracking, and cost control.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative, resolve problems independently, and follow through on commitments.
• Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and time management.
• Ability to maintain positive, professional relationships with vendors, customers, and internal teams.
• Dependable, punctual, and able to work effectively in a deadline-driven environment.

Education & Additional Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or a related field, or 4+ years of equivalent professional experience.
• Knowledge of audiovisual (AV) equipment, technology products, and related procurement processes.
• Commitment to continuing education and professional development in AV equipment and emerging technologies.

Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate is a proactive, organized purchasing professional who understands technology equipment procurement and takes ownership of ensuring products are sourced competitively, purchased accurately, and delivered on schedule. This individual thrives in a collaborative environment, builds strong vendor relationships, and consistently identifies opportunities to improve purchasing efficiency and control costs.