Purchasing Specialist – Material Procurement

Pro Staff; Lenexa (KS); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Pro Staff in Lenexa, KS seeks a detail-oriented Purchasing Specialist to source products, manage supplier relationships, and oversee procurement activities for high-volume components across the supply chain.

The role centers on negotiating pricing, maintaining inventory levels, coordinating with Sales, Customer Service, and Operations, and ensuring timely deliveries and compliance with USMCA where applicable.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or higher required; degree in Supply Chain, Business, Procurement or related field preferred.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook).
• Proven experience in procurement, sourcing, supplier negotiation, and supplier relationship management.
• Strong analytical, multitasking and problem-solving abilities with the capacity to handle large volumes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; team-oriented in a fast-paced environment.
• Prior exposure to MRP/ERP systems such as Microsoft Dynamics is preferred.
• Background in industrial components or fastener distribution is a plus.
• Familiarity with APQP processes is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Source products based on requests and forecasts from Customer Service and Sales.
• Develop product knowledge to negotiate pricing and identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Run forecasts to prevent shortages, manage safety stock, and issue POs per procedures.
• Coordinate external procurement for secondary processing; issue RFQs and track delivery.
• Collaborate with suppliers to minimize obsolete inventory during changes or cancellations.
• Partner with Operations, Sales, Customer Service, and clients to disposition dead stock and launch savings projects.
• Maintain strong supplier relationships through regular communication and performance reviews.
• Lead cross-department inventory meetings and treat internal teams as partners.
• Process shipping claims with carriers and coordinate with QA for resolutions.
• Issue POs for office and warehouse supplies according to thresholds.
• Negotiate freight, broker fees, and customs pricing; coordinate USMCA documentation.

Skills

Procurement

Sourcing

Negotiation

Forecasting

MRP/ERP

Education

Associate degree

Tools

Excel

Microsoft Dynamics

Job description

Position Title: Purchasing Specialist – Material Procurement

Location: Lenexa, KS

Classification: Exempt / Salaried

Work Schedules: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (60-minutedaily meal break)

Summary:

A premier international supply chain and industrial fastenerdistributor is seeking a detail-oriented Purchasing Specialist to join theirteam. This organization specializes in high-volume component procurement,logistics, and inventory management solutions for global industrial andautomotive clients. The Purchasing Specialist plays a vital role in sourcingproducts, negotiating pricing, managing supplier relationships, and ensuringseamless supply chain flow in accordance with customer demand and internalsales requirements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limitedto:

• Source products based on requests, forecasts, and RFQ indications received fromthe Customer Service and Sales departments.


• Develop deep product knowledge to negotiate competitive pricing, identifycost-saving initiatives, and optimize purchasing decisions.


• Runforecast modules at scheduled intervals to prevent inventory shortages, managesafety stock, and issue purchase orders following standard purchasingprocedures.


• Initiate APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning) protocols when required,including during engineering change notices or new product rollouts.


• Coordinate external procurement for secondary processing, including issuingRFQs, generating purchase orders, and tracking status and delivery timelines.


• Collaboratewith suppliers to establish break-point schedules and minimize obsoleteinventory during engineering modifications or component cancellations.


• Partner with Operations, Sales, Customer Service, and end clients todisposition dead or slow-moving inventory and launch supplier cost-reductionprojects.


• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships through regular communication,performance evaluation, and potential vendor site visits.


• Facilitateclear, cross-departmental communication, leading periodic inventory managementmeetings and treating internal teams as operational partners.


• Fileshipping claims with carriers for damaged or short shipments and coordinateresolutions with the Quality Assurance team as necessary.


• Issue purchase orders for office and warehouse operational supplies accordingto management approval thresholds.


• Negotiatefreight charges, broker fees, and customs clearance pricing while coordinatingUSMCA compliance documentation.


• Perform additional duties and support special projects as assigned byoperational leadership.

Qualifications:

• Associate degree, college diploma, or higher required. Degree in Supply Chain,Business, Procurement, or a related field preferred.


• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook).


• Provenexperience in material acquisition, procurement, or supply chain management.Demonstrated capability in sourcing, supplier negotiation, carrier claimsmanagement, and trade compliance (including USMCA guidelines).


• Strong analytical, multitasking, and problem-solving capabilities with a highcapacity to handle large work volumes under tight deadlines.


• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; proven ability to workeffectively in a team-centric, fast-paced environment.


• Prior hands-on experience or exposure within an MRP/ERP-driven inventoryenvironment such as Microsoft Dynamics (preferred).


• Background in industrial component or fastener distribution (preferred).


• Familiarity with APQP processes (preferred).