Purchasing Agent - Steel

Purchasing Agent – Steel Are you a detail-oriented procurement professional who thrives in a fast-paced construction or manufacturing environment? We are seeking a Purchasing Agent to play a critical role in ensuring our projects and operations have the materials, equipment, and services they need—when they need them. In this position, you will manage the full purchasing lifecycle, from sourcing and vendor negotiations to purchase order management and delivery coordination, while balancing cost, quality, and schedule requirements. The ideal candidate is a proactive problem solver with strong organizational and analytical skills who enjoys collaborating with project teams, suppliers, and internal stakeholders to deliver exceptional results. Experience with structural steel materials, fabrication processes, or construction-related procurement is highly valued. If you are passionate about building strong supplier relationships, driving cost savings, and supporting successful project execution through efficient procurement practices, we invite you to join our team. Position Summary As a Purchasing Agent, you will evaluate competitive vendor pricing, service, and product availability to procure material and equipment as required. You will procure the required material and equipment for all projects and shop operations in an ethical, value-conscious, timely and organized fashion. Primary Responsibilities Execute end-to-end purchasing activities, from requisition through purchase order issuance, to support project schedules and operations timelines. Source materials, equipment, rough-in items, services as requested for projects and operations while ensuring compliance with approved vendors and buying agreements. Obtain competitive pricing through multiple bids and negotiate cost, lead times, rebates, and purchasing terms to achieve best overall value. Collaborate with project teams to align purchases with specifications, budgets, schedules, and job cost codes. Coordinate deliveries to job sites, fabrication shops, yards, manufacturing facilities, and tool facilities; track back orders and expedite critical materials as needed. Optimize inventory levels by utilizing existing yard stock, negotiating product returns at project completion, or other means to support the goal of minimal long-term inventory. Analyze pricing, usage, and purchasing trends to support cost control and informed sourcing decisions. Maintain accurate purchase order, vendor, and item master data within company systems; verify pricing changes and request new part numbers when required. Review structural drawings, bills of material, and fabrication documentation to accurately procure structural steel materials, connection hardware, and related fabrication services. Support Accounts Payable with PO-to-invoice validation and resolution of discrepancies. Proactively communicate and resolve supply chain risks, shortages, or delivery issues. Where applicable, support project teams with submittals and contract compliance packages. Perform other duties as assigned. Structural Steel Knowledge and Technical Competencies (Preferred) Working knowledge of structural steel materials, including wide flange beams, channels, angles, plate, tubing (HSS), pipe, bar, grating, decking, and miscellaneous steel products. Ability to read and interpret structural steel drawings, fabrication drawings, erection drawings, and material takeoffs to support purchasing activities. Familiarity with structural steel specifications, ASTM material grades (such as A36, A572, A992, A500, A588), and applicable industry standards. Understanding of steel processing requirements, including cutting, drilling, coping, cambering, rolling, galvanizing, painting, and other value-added services. Knowledge of structural steel fasteners, anchor rods, welding consumables, connection materials, and related hardware. Ability to review bills of material (BOMs), shop drawings, and fabrication schedules to ensure procurement aligns with production and project requirements. Familiarity with mill lead times, service center capabilities, and domestic versus imported steel sourcing considerations. Understanding of material traceability requirements, mill test reports (MTRs), and quality documentation for structural steel products. Ability to coordinate material deliveries with fabrication shop production schedules and field erection sequencing. Knowledge of estimating, fabrication, or construction processes related to structural steel is preferred. Preferred Qualifications Strong organizational, follow-up, and communication skills Strong proficiency in Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, formulas). Experience working in purchasing or ERP systems (IFS and/or Vista by Viewpoint a plus). Accountability Comply with all company policies and procedures. All employees are accountable for safety and health and are empowered to stop work if an unsafe condition is present. Employees should immediately notify their supervisor so that the hazard may be corrected. RK employees and subcontractors are required to implement and maintain all safety and health systems practices including, where appropriate, specific training requirements of RK Business Units. Primary Career Level Works under general supervision, exercising independent judgment in day-to-day purchasing decisions; consults with supervisor on complex or non-routine matters. Receives guidance primarily on overall objectives, priorities, and policy-related issues. Acts as a liaison with internal teams and external partners, independently managing matters related to assigned purchasing responsibilities. Bachelor’s degree with 3+ years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education, skills, and experience. Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to present data in a clear, actionable manner. Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities with strong attention to detail. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (e.g., pivot tables, formulas, lookup functions) preferred. #J-18808-Ljbffr RK Mechanical, Inc.