Purchasing Specialist

Wall Colmonoy Limited; Chambersburg (Franklin County); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Wall Colmonoy Limited is seeking a Purchasing Specialist to coordinate and execute purchasing activities ensuring timely availability of materials, tooling, and services for foundry operations. You will work with Production, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, and approved suppliers to support schedules and control costs.

The ideal candidate is organized, proactive, and capable of managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; further education in supply chain or procurement preferred.
• 2+ years purchasing/procurement/inventory experience, ideally in manufacturing.
• Experience using ERP, purchasing software, or inventory systems.
• Proficient with Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and standard business apps.
• Strong organization, communication, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to compare quotes, interpret documents, track multiple orders, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively with suppliers, production, and internal teams.
• Knowledge of foundry materials, tooling, or outside processing is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Process purchase requisitions and prepare purchase orders for materials, tooling, and services.
• Obtain and compare supplier quotations to evaluate price, quality, lead times and delivery.
• Negotiate routine pricing and terms within guidelines and authorization limits.
• Monitor open POs and follow up on confirmations, delays, backorders, and shortages.
• Identify alternate suppliers to maintain production continuity.
• Ensure purchases comply with policies, supplier requirements, and budgets.
• Coordinate with production and other departments to identify material requirements and priorities.
• Monitor material availability and communicate potential shortages or delays.
• Support inventory control by reviewing stock levels and replenishment needs.
• Assist with outside processing, subcontracted services, and tooling purchases.
• Help prevent excess inventory, expedite costs, and production interruptions.
• Maintain supplier relationships, communicate expectations, and address performance concerns.
• Escalate significant supplier issues to management as needed.
• Enter and maintain POs, supplier data, pricing, and dates in ERP; prepare reports.
• Maintain documentation and resolve discrepancies with Accounting.
• Identify opportunities to reduce costs and improve supplier reliability.
• Collaborate across departments for better communication and planning.
• Support safety, quality, confidentiality, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Strong organizational

Communication

Analytical

Problem-solving

Time management

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Background in supply chain management / procurement preferred

Tools

ERP system

Purchasing software

Inventory management system

Microsoft Excel / Outlook

Job description

The Purchasing Specialist is responsible for coordinating and executing purchasing activities to ensure the timely availability of materials, supplies, equipment, and services necessary to support foundry operations. This position works closely with Production, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, Accounting, and approved suppliers to maintain production schedules, control costs, and support efficient operations.

The ideal candidate is organized, detail-oriented, proactive, and capable of managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Process purchase requisitions and prepare purchase orders for raw materials, foundry supplies, tooling, maintenance parts, equipment, and outside services.
• Obtain and compare supplier quotations to evaluate pricing, quality, lead times, and delivery requirements.
• Negotiate routine pricing and delivery terms within established company guidelines and authorization limits.
• Monitor open purchase orders and follow up on order confirmations, delayed shipments, backorders, and shortages.
• Identify alternative suppliers and purchasing options when necessary to maintain production continuity.
• Ensure purchases comply with company policies, approved supplier requirements, and budgetary guidelines.

Production and Inventory Support

• Coordinate with Production, Engineering, Maintenance, and other departments to identify material requirements and purchasing priorities.
• Monitor material availability and communicate potential shortages or delivery delays that could affect production schedules.
• Support inventory control by reviewing stock levels, usage, reorder points, and replenishment needs.
• Assist with coordinating outside processing, subcontracted services, tooling, and other production-related purchases.
• Help prevent unnecessary inventory accumulation, expedite costs, and production interruptions.

Supplier and Vendor Management

• Maintain professional working relationships with suppliers and service providers.
• Communicate delivery expectations, resolve routine order discrepancies, and address supplier performance concerns.
• Assist in evaluating supplier quality, reliability, pricing, and delivery performance.
• Escalate significant supplier issues, quality concerns, or supply disruptions to management.

Systems, Documentation, and Reporting

• Enter and maintain accurate purchase orders, supplier information, pricing, delivery dates, and purchasing records within the company's ERP system.
• Maintain organized purchasing documentation and support the resolution of discrepancies involving purchase orders, receiving records, and invoices in coordination with Accounting.
• Prepare purchasing reports, open-order summaries, and cost comparisons as requested.
• Ensure purchasing records are accurate, complete, and maintained in accordance with company procedures.

Continuous Improvement and Teamwork

• Identify opportunities to improve purchasing procedures, reduce costs, and increase supplier reliability.
• Collaborate across departments to improve communication, planning, and material availability.
• Support company safety, quality, confidentiality, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; additional education in supply chain management, business, or procurement preferred.
• Two or more years of purchasing, procurement, inventory, or supply chain experience preferred, ideally in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience using an ERP system, purchasing software, or inventory management system.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and other standard business applications.
• Strong organizational, communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to compare quotations, interpret purchasing documentation, track multiple orders, and prioritize competing deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively with suppliers, production personnel, and internal departments.
• Knowledge of manufacturing materials, foundry supplies, machining, tooling, or outside processing is a plus.

Key Competencies

• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Vendor communication and relationship management
• Cost awareness and sound judgment
• Follow-through and accountability
• Time management and prioritization
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Initiative and problem-solving

Working Conditions

This position primarily works in an office environment within a manufacturing facility and may require periodic visits to the production floor to understand material requirements, coordinate with operating departments, and support purchasing priorities. Compliance with applicable facility safety requirements is required.

Performance Expectations

Performance may be evaluated based on:

• Timely availability of materials and supplies needed for production.
• Purchase order accuracy and timely processing.
• Supplier delivery performance and responsiveness.
• Competitive pricing and documented cost-saving opportunities.
• Effective management of open orders and purchasing priorities.
• Accuracy of purchasing records and coordination with Accounting.
• Communication and support provided to internal departments.

Wall Colmonoy and Franklin Precision Castings are equal opportunity employers committed to an inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates. Accommodations are available upon request throughout the recruitment process.

For U.S.-based positions, we are affirmative action employers of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.

The Company assumes no financial or contractual obligation for resumes submitted by recruitment agencies without a prior written agreement, including when a submitted candidate is subsequently hired.