Sourcing and Event Project Specialist

Ferguson; Fort Wayne (IN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Ferguson is seeking an experienced Sourcing & Event Project Specialist to support agency-wide sourcing and growth of our Event Services practice. This hands-on role moves between sourcing and project execution, managing vendor bids, production, and live events for dealer and corporate meetings.

You'll coordinate timelines, budgets, and logistics, maintain vendor relations, and ensure delivery from estimate to invoice, with occasional travel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, Communications, Procurement or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in sourcing, purchasing, print production or related field.
• Experience supporting corporate meetings or live events preferred.

Responsibilities

• Source and purchase print, promo items, apparel, signage and event materials.
• Develop specs and solicit competitive bids from qualified vendors.
• Evaluate proposals based on price, capabilities, quality, timing.
• Manage vendor partners from kickoff through delivery and invoicing.
• Serve as project manager for dealer, corporate, customer, and internal events.

Skills

Sourcing

Project management

Vendor negotiations

Budget management

Vendor relations

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Business, Communications, Procurement, or related field

Tools

Workamajig

Trello

Asana

Job description

Ferguson is looking for an experienced, highly organized Sourcing & Event Project Specialist to support both agency-wide sourcing needs and the continued growth of our Event Services practice.

This is a hands‑on role for someone who can move comfortably between sourcing and project execution. On the sourcing side, this person will identify vendors, secure competitive pricing, purchase products and services, and manage production from estimate through invoice. On the Event Services side, this person will serve as a project manager for dealer meetings, corporate meetings, customer events, internal events and other live experiences outside of Ferguson’s traditional trade show work.

The right person is equal parts sourcing expert, project manager, organizer and creative problem solver. They know how to keep details moving, anticipate what needs to happen next and find smart solutions when a project doesn’t have an obvious path forward.

This position may be located at our office in either Fort Wayne, IN or Indianapolis, IN.

Key Responsibilities

• Source and purchase commercial print, promotional products, apparel, signage, graphics, specialty fabrication, event materials and other client‑requested products and services.
• Develop specifications and solicit competitive bids from qualified vendors.
• Evaluate vendor proposals based on price, capabilities, quality, timing and overall project requirements.
• Recommend sourcing and production approaches that improve quality, speed, cost or execution.
• Award work and manage vendor partners from project kickoff through delivery and invoicing.
• Maintain accurate records of estimates, bids, purchase orders, project costs and vendor documentation.
• Review vendor invoices for accuracy and coordinate timely processing.
• Maintain and strengthen relationships with existing vendor partners.
• Continuously identify and evaluate new vendors, production methods, materials and capabilities.
• Develop alternative sourcing solutions when budgets, schedules or production challenges require a different approach.

Event Project Management

• Serve as a project manager for dealer meetings, corporate meetings, customer events, internal events and other Ferguson‑produced experiences.
• Translate client and internal team needs into clear project plans, timelines, budgets and deliverables.
• Coordinate vendors, venues, production partners, transportation, signage, décor, audiovisual, food and beverage and other event elements as needed.
• Maintain project schedules and ensure deadlines, approvals and dependencies stay on track.
• Track budgets, estimates, purchase commitments and event‑related expenses.
• Coordinate closely with account teams, creative teams, Event Services leadership and external partners.
• Manage event logistics and documentation before, during and after events.
• Anticipate potential issues and develop solutions before they affect the client experience.
• Provide onsite project support when needed to help ensure smooth event execution.
• Support post‑event reconciliation, vendor invoicing and project closeout.
• Assist the Event Services team with warehouse assets, event materials and field operations as needed.
• Strong attention to detail, particularly with specifications, pricing, quantities, schedules and invoices.
• Comfortable working in a fast‑moving agency environment with multiple stakeholders and shifting priorities.
• Clear, professional communicator who can build productive relationships with both internal teams and external vendor partners.
• Able to work independently, take ownership of projects and follow through without requiring extensive oversight.
• Exceptional organizational skills and the ability to manage numerous projects, bids, vendors, deadlines and details simultaneously.
• Strong negotiating skills and sound judgment when evaluating cost, quality and vendor capabilities.
• Resourceful and curious, with a natural instinct to ask, “Is there a better way to do this?”
• Creative problem‑solving skills and the ability to develop solutions when a project does not have an obvious sourcing path.
• Ability to anticipate challenges and address them proactively.
• Skilled in managing complex workflows and ensuring no detail is overlooked.
• Experience managing multiple projects, vendors, budgets, schedules and deadlines simultaneously.
• Comfortable with occasional travel and onsite event support.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Business, Communications, Procurement, or a related field required. Experience in lieu of degree may be considered.
• 5 or more years of experience in sourcing, purchasing, print production, promotional products, agency production or a related field.
• Strong working knowledge of commercial print and familiarity with areas such as signage, promotional products, apparel, branded environments and specialty production is required.
• Previous Experience supporting corporate meetings, dealer events, conferences, customer events or other live experiences is strongly preferred.
• Previous experience and familiarity with project management processes and tools such as Workamajig, Trello, Asana, or similar systems helpful.

Physical Demands

• Must be able to perform prolonged periods of sitting and working at a computer, as well as standing and walking for extended periods during events and tradeshows.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and/or pull up to 40 pounds occasionally, including event materials, displays, supplies, and equipment.
• Must be able to bend, reach, stoop, and perform other physical activities associated with event setup and teardown.
• Travel to/from and navigate event and tradeshow venues, which may involve significant walking and varying work environments. Travel is estimated at 15% annually, but is subject to change based upon agency need.
• Ability to work occasional extended or nontraditional hours associated with event schedules, setup, and teardown.