Manufacturing Buyer / Purchasing Specialist

Manufacturing Buyer / Purchasing Specialist

Founded in 1962 by George "Papa Kook" Kook Sr., Kooks Headers & Exhaust has been a leader in the high-performance exhaust industry for over 60 years. Based in Statesville, North Carolina, Kooks designs and manufactures premium headers, exhaust systems, and fabricated components for performance vehicles, race applications, and OEM programs. Our reputation is built on craftsmanship, innovation, and performance.

Kooks Headers & Exhaust is seeking an experienced Manufacturing Buyer / Purchasing Specialist to support our fast-paced manufacturing operation.

This position is responsible for sourcing and purchasing raw materials, fabricated components, and operational supplies necessary to support production. The ideal candidate will have experience purchasing stainless steel materials, fabrication components, and manufacturing supplies in industries such as automotive, motorsports, metal fabrication, chassis building, exhaust manufacturing, or industrial manufacturing.

The successful candidate must be highly organized, detail-oriented, able to work within an ERP-driven environment, and capable of managing vendor relationships, inventory demands, and production timelines.

Experience with Infor Visual ERP is strongly preferred.

Key Responsibilities:

• Purchase raw materials including stainless steel tubing, sheet, flanges, bends, hardware, fabrication materials, and MRO supplies
• Monitor inventory levels and proactively purchase materials to support production schedules
• Work closely with production, engineering, warehouse, and management teams to forecast material needs
• Maintain supplier relationships while negotiating pricing, delivery schedules, and lead times
• Expedite orders and resolve material shortages to avoid production downtime
• Track purchase orders, backorders, invoice discrepancies, and vendor performance
• Maintain accurate purchasing records within ERP system
• Assist with inventory control and continuous improvement initiatives
• Source new suppliers and evaluate cost-saving opportunities
• Support manufacturing operations in a deadline-driven environment

Qualifications:

• 3+ years of purchasing or procurement experience in a manufacturing environment required
• Experience purchasing stainless steel materials, fabrication components, or industrial/manufacturing supplies strongly preferred
• Working knowledge of materials used in automotive, motorsports, chassis building, exhaust manufacturing, or metal fabrication industries preferred
• ERP system experience required; Infor Visual experience strongly preferred
• Strong organizational and multitasking abilities
• Proven ability to manage vendors, negotiate pricing, and meet deadlines
• Self-motivated with the ability to take direction and work independently
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and standard business software
• Proven history of reliability, accountability, and consistent performance

Preferred Experience:

• Automotive or motorsports manufacturing
• Metal fabrication or tube manufacturing
• Lean manufacturing, JIT inventory, or Kanban systems
• Freight logistics and supply chain coordination
• Understanding of material lead times, tariffs, and sourcing challenges

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 15 pounds
• Ability to access and move throughout manufacturing facility as needed