Strategic Purchasing Specialist

NR Consulting; Ayer (MA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

NR Consulting is seeking an experienced Purchasing Specialist in Massachusetts to manage complex procurement activities, supplier relationships, and negotiations. You will identify and qualify suppliers, develop RFQs/RFPs, and drive continuous improvement while ensuring compliance with procurement requirements.

You will lead supplier performance reviews, manage purchase orders, and collaborate with cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related field preferred.
• 6+ years of progressive purchasing/procurement experience.
• Strong purchasing, sourcing, supplier management, and negotiation experience.
• Experience working in an MRP/manufacturing environment preferred.
• Knowledge of procurement regulations, contracts, and supplier requirements.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Experience with purchasing/materials systems, MRP, EDI, and standard business software.
• Ability to manage complex projects and work effectively with suppliers and cross-functional teams.
• CPM, CPIM, or APICS certification preferred but not required.
• LEAN, Six Sigma, or Green Belt experience is a plus.
• Aerospace/manufacturing industry experience is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Identify, evaluate, and select suppliers based on quality, cost, delivery, and capability.
• Develop RFQs/RFPs, statements of work, and bidder lists.
• Negotiate pricing, contracts, delivery schedules, quality, and terms.
• Issue and manage purchase orders and supplier agreements.
• Conduct supplier risk assessments, site visits, and performance reviews.
• Monitor supplier quality, delivery, capacity, and overall performance.
• Resolve supplier issues, shipment discrepancies, returns, claims, and delivery concerns.
• Drive supplier corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Analyze procurement data, trends, and supplier metrics; prepare reports.
• Support quarterly business reviews and supplier improvement activities.
• Ensure compliance with company, government, commercial, and industry procurement requirements.
• Work with cross-functional teams and provide guidance/mentoring to less experienced team members.

Skills

Purchasing

Supplier management

Negotiation

Analytical

Problem-solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related field

Tools

MRP

EDI

Purchasing systems

Job description

Position Summary:

We are seeking an experienced Purchasing Specialist to manage complex procurement activities, supplier relationships, negotiations, and purchasing requirements. This role will identify and qualify suppliers, negotiate pricing and terms, monitor supplier performance, and support continuous improvement initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Identify, evaluate, and select suppliers based on quality, cost, delivery, and capability.


• Develop RFQs/RFPs, statements of work, and bidder lists.


• Negotiate pricing, contracts, delivery schedules, quality, and terms.


• Issue and manage purchase orders and supplier agreements.


• Conduct supplier risk assessments, site visits, and performance reviews.


• Monitor supplier quality, delivery, capacity, and overall performance.


• Resolve supplier issues, shipment discrepancies, returns, claims, and delivery concerns.


• Drive supplier corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives.


• Analyze procurement data, trends, and supplier metrics; prepare reports.


• Support quarterly business reviews and supplier improvement activities.


• Ensure compliance with company, government, commercial, and industry procurement requirements.


• Work with cross-functional teams and provide guidance/mentoring to less experienced team members.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related field preferred.


• 6+ years of progressive purchasing/procurement experience.


• Strong purchasing, sourcing, supplier management, and negotiation experience.


• Experience working in an MRP/manufacturing environment preferred.


• Knowledge of procurement regulations, contracts, and supplier requirements.


• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and negotiation skills.


• Experience with purchasing/materials systems, MRP, EDI, and standard business software.


• Ability to manage complex projects and work effectively with suppliers and cross-functional teams.


• CPM, CPIM, or APICS certification preferred but not required.


• LEAN, Six Sigma, or Green Belt experience is a plus.


• Aerospace/manufacturing industry experience is highly preferred.