Purchasing Agent

Thompson Pipe Group is one of the largest providers of pressure and gravity pipe solutions in North America, serving water, drainage, sewage, storm water, hydroelectric, and industrial applications. Privately owned, the company operates multiple production plants across the U.S. and supports projects with an extensive transportation, technical, and field service network of over 1,000 team members. Thompson Pipe Group offers a broad range of products including reinforced concrete pipe, precast structures, steel pressure pipe, FRP pipe, and trenchless pipe solutions. The organization is committed to using advanced technologies and high-quality materials to deliver reliable, value-driven solutions backed by trusted engineering and on-site support. The company also promotes a professional, respectful community, encouraging direct contact for customer concerns and constructive engagement. Position Summary The Buyer supports high-volume procurement for a manufacturer of engineered concrete, steel, and FRP pressure pipe products serving the water and wastewater industry. This role reads and interprets technical engineering specifications and drawings, evaluates alternative materials and sourcing options, and negotiates price, lead time, and terms with suppliers to keep production and customer projects on schedule. The Buyer builds and manages vendor relationships and works closely with Engineering, Operations, Project Management, Receiving, and Production to ensure materials are purchased accurately, cost-effectively, and delivered on time to meet project specifications. Key Responsibilities Read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and project documentation — including AWWA, ASTM, ANSI, and customer-specific standards for concrete, steel, and FRP pressure pipe — to determine accurate purchasing requirements. Evaluate alternative materials, components, and sourcing options that meet technical and quality specifications while optimizing cost, availability, and lead time. Source, qualify, and onboard suppliers for raw materials (e.g., steel, cement, aggregate, resin, gaskets, coatings) and outsourced components; maintain and develop the approved vendor base. Negotiate pricing, payment terms, lead times, and volume agreements with suppliers to support project schedules, cost targets, and margin objectives. Build and manage ongoing vendor relationships, including periodic performance reviews of quality, delivery, and responsiveness, and resolution of supplier disputes. Support high-volume project purchasing activities across multiple manufacturing facilities. Review, interpret, and execute purchasing requirements based on Engineering buyout lists and project documentation. Analyze daily purchasing requirements and material shortages using the Purchasing Tracker and ERP (IFS) system. Coordinate with Production, Engineering, Receiving, and Project Management to resolve material shortages and purchasing issues. Verify purchase requirements against engineering drawings and investigate discrepancies between buyout lists and project documentation. Issue purchase orders and monitor supplier acknowledgments, production schedules, and delivery commitments. Follow up with suppliers to ensure on-time delivery and proactively resolve potential delays. Monitor market and commodity trends (steel, cement, resin, and related inputs) to anticipate cost and lead-time changes and inform purchasing strategy. Maintain accurate purchasing records and documentation within the ERP (IFS) system. Track and document individual cost savings using the Purchasing Tracker. Identify opportunities to improve purchasing processes, reduce costs, and increase operational efficiency. Perform special projects and other duties as assigned. Qualifications Required Skills Ability to read and interpret technical engineering drawings, specifications, and industry standards (AWWA, ASTM, ANSI) applicable to concrete, steel, and FRP pipe manufacturing. Demonstrated negotiation skills, with the ability to secure favorable pricing, lead times, and terms. Experience evaluating and qualifying alternative materials and suppliers, and managing ongoing vendor relationships. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify root causes and implement effective solutions. Excellent organizational skills with strong attention to detail. Ability to prioritize multiple projects in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively across departments. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel. Experience working with ERP (IFS) or comparable purchasing management systems. Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment. Working knowledge of the water and wastewater industry, and the raw material and commodity markets (steel, cement, resin, aggregate) that affect it, is a plus. Education & Experience Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Purchasing, Logistics, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field preferred. 2–3 years of purchasing or procurement experience, including experience in a manufacturing environment. Experience purchasing engineered concrete, steel, or FRP pipe products — or comparable capital/industrial products — strongly preferred. Familiarity with reading engineering drawings and specifications and with pipeline/pressure pipe industry terminology is a plus. Work Hours Monday through Friday, generally 7:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m. depending on facility. After hours work required as business needs dictate. Occasional Saturday work may be required. #J-18808-Ljbffr