Purchasing Specialist

Purchasing Specialist

Service Steel Aerospace (SSA) is a leading global distributor of high-performance aerospace metals, including stainless steel, titanium, and specialty alloys. With 50 years of experience, SSA supports the aerospace, defense, and advanced manufacturing industries with quality materials and reliable service.

We are committed to delivering excellence through strong customer partnerships, technical expertise, and a focus on safety and continuous improvement. Join a stable, growing company where your work directly supports critical industries worldwide.

We are looking for an experienced Purchasing Specialist to join our SSA Team!

The Purchasing Specialist is responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies for assigned commodities to ensure a reliable, cost-effective, and high-quality supply of materials and services that support the Company's operational and strategic objectives. This position serves as the subject matter expert for assigned product categories, leading supplier selection, contract negotiations, cost reduction initiatives, inventory optimization, and supplier performance management. The Purchasing Specialist collaborates cross-functionally with Sales, Operations, Quality, Finance, and Engineering to align purchasing strategies with business goals while mitigating supply chain risk.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing & Commodity Management

• Develop and implement sourcing strategies for assigned commodity categories to optimize cost, quality, delivery, and supply continuity.
• Monitor commodity markets, pricing trends, and supply chain risks to proactively identify opportunities and mitigate potential disruptions.
• Evaluate supplier capabilities, capacity, financial stability, and overall performance to support strategic sourcing decisions.
• Lead competitive sourcing activities, including Requests for Quote (RFQs), Requests for Proposal (RFPs), and supplier evaluations.
• Identify opportunities to consolidate suppliers, standardize materials, and leverage purchasing volume.

Supplier Relationship Management

• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with key suppliers.
• Lead contract negotiations, including pricing, payment terms, lead times, service levels, and long-term supply agreements.
• Conduct regular supplier business reviews to evaluate quality, delivery, responsiveness, and cost performance.
• Establish supplier performance metrics and corrective action plans when performance expectations are not achieved.
• Collaborate with suppliers to identify continuous improvement and innovation opportunities.

Procurement & Inventory Management

• Ensure timely procurement of materials and services required to support manufacturing and customer requirements.
• Monitor inventory levels, demand forecasts, and consumption trends to maintain appropriate inventory while minimizing carrying costs.
• Work closely with Operations and Planning to support production schedules and customer delivery commitments.
• Resolve purchasing issues related to shortages, quality concerns, returns, and supplier discrepancies.

Cost Management & Process Improvement

• Identify and implement cost reduction initiatives through strategic sourcing, value analysis, supplier negotiations, and process improvements.
• Track purchasing performance against cost savings objectives and departmental metrics.
• Recommend improvements to procurement processes, systems, and supplier management practices.
• Support ERP and purchasing system enhancements to improve operational efficiency.

Contracts & Compliance

• Negotiate supplier agreements and commercial terms in collaboration with Legal and Company leadership.
• Ensure supplier contracts comply with Company policies and applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
• Interpret contractual terms and conditions and recommend modifications to reduce risk and improve commercial outcomes.
• Maintain accurate purchasing documentation and ensure compliance with internal controls and audit requirements.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Sales, Operations, Quality, Engineering, and Finance to align sourcing strategies with business objectives.
• Provide guidance and expertise regarding supplier capabilities, market conditions, and material availability.
• Support new product introductions, customer requirements, and strategic business initiatives.

Professional Responsibilities

• Exercise sound judgment, discretion, and independent decision-making in supplier and sourcing decisions.
• Protect confidential business, supplier, and financial information.
• Maintain compliance with Company policies, safety procedures, and ethical business standards.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Physical Requirements

Stand or Sit (Stationary position), Walk (Move, Traverse), Use hand/fingers to handle or feel (Operate, Activate, Use, Prepare, Inspect, Place, Detect, Position), Climb (stairs/ladders) or balance (Ascend/Descend, Work atop, Traverse), Talk/hear (Communicate, Detect, Converse with, Discern, Convey, Express oneself, Exchange information), See (Detect, Determine, Perceive, Identify, Recognize, Judge, Observe, Inspect, Estimate, Assess), Repetitive Motion

Function in the Job

Sedentary Work- Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Required Skills

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Purchasing, Operations Management, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Five to eight years of progressive procurement, strategic sourcing, or commodity management experience in manufacturing, aerospace, metals distribution, or industrial environments.
• Demonstrated success negotiating complex supplier agreements and achieving measurable cost savings.
• Strong understanding of supply chain management, inventory planning, commodity markets, and supplier performance management.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems and advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Excellent analytical, negotiation, communication, and project management skills.
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams and build collaborative supplier relationships.

Success in this role requires the ability to navigate ambiguity, exercise sound business judgment, and make informed decisions in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

The ideal candidate is comfortable developing practical solutions when processes are not fully defined and can effectively balance competing priorities while driving results.

What We Offer

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage with affordable employee contribution rates.
• 401(k) plan with company match up to 4%.
• Life and AD&D insurance, short- and long-term disability coverage.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP), including counseling, legal, and financial support.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and 8 paid holidays.
• Flexible Spending Accounts for healthcare and dependent care.
• Wellness incentives and access to LiveHealth Online.
• Employee discount program with over 30,000 deals.
• Community engagement and volunteer opportunities.

EEO/Disabled/Veterans

Service Steel Aerospace provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.

Service Steel Aerospace is a Reliance Family of Companies.

Compensation Range

The anticipated compensation for this position is USD $91,458.00/Yr. - USD $105,000.00/Yr. depending on experience, qualifications, and location.

EEO Statement

Reliance, Inc. IS A DRUG-FREE WORK ENVIRONMENT EEO/DISABILITY/VETERAN