Purchasing Specialist

Why Work at Salem Metal?

· Our customers and our team members are the core of our business. We’re focused on the well-being of our team members, who utilize their skills every day to meet the needs of our customers. We serve many markets – Medical Equipment, Measurement & Test, Industrial, Electronics, Security, Manufacturing and more - with products that improve the human condition and quality of life.

· We accomplish our work with a people-first atmosphere, with a benefits and services package provided by our PEO (Professional Employer Organization), yet we operate with the agility and drive of a small company.

· Our company leadership is on site daily. SMI has been a proud supporter of our local community for more than 55 years.

· Our new custom-built 100,000 sf state-of-the art facility in Middleton, MA is a great working environment to be in, with ample room for growth. 5S and housekeeping are part of our culture of high-performance.

· SMI’s core values are Safety, Quality, Integrity, Accountability, Collaboration, and Continuous Improvement.

· We have top-quality equipment, machinery, and tools to work with. Build your skills, learn from our in-house experts and our partners, and advance your career.

· Company celebrations, recognition events, and an annual bonus are all part of the mix at Salem Metal, Inc. People make the difference on our team.

Job Overview:

We are seeking a detail-oriented and highly organized Purchasing Specialist to join our Salem Metal, Inc. team. The Purchasing Specialist will be responsible for managing the acquisition of materials, supplies, and services necessary for the smooth operation of our manufacturing processes, reporting directly to the Production Manager. This role will work closely with various internal departments and suppliers to ensure that materials are purchased at the best possible price, quality, and delivery time. The ideal candidate will have strong negotiation skills, an understanding of manufacturing needs, and the ability to manage supplier relationships effectively.

Key Responsibilities:

· Procurement Process Management:

o Identify, source, and purchase raw materials, components, supplies and tooling required for manufacturing.

o Manage purchase orders and track order progress to ensure timely delivery.

o Maintain accurate records of orders, vendor communications, and inventory levels.

o Ensure that all purchases are compliant with company policies and budgetary constraints.

· Supplier Relationship Management:

o Develop, maintain, and enhance strong relationships with existing strategic suppliers while identifying new suppliers to meet evolving business needs.

o Negotiate pricing, terms, and delivery schedules to achieve cost-effective purchasing agreements that are aligned with company strategic plans.

o Monitor supplier performance, addressing issues such as late deliveries or quality discrepancies.

· Inventory and Stock Management:

o Coordinate with inventory control to maintain optimal levels of raw materials, supplies, and finished goods.

o Monitor stock levels and place timely replenishment orders to avoid production delays.

o Track and reconcile inventory discrepancies.

· Cost Analysis and Budgeting:

o Analyze purchasing trends and market conditions to identify opportunities for cost savings.

o Create procurement strategies to review with the Leadership Team.

o Assist in preparing annual procurement budgets, ensuring purchases stay within allocated financial resources.

· Collaboration with Cross-Functional Teams:

o Work closely with the production, engineering, and logistics teams to forecast material needs and ensure the availability of critical supplies.

o Communicate effectively with internal stakeholders to ensure production schedules are met without disruption.

· Documentation and Reporting:

o Ensure that all purchasing activities are documented accurately and timely.

o Analyze purchase history and data to provide insights to management regarding supplier performance, cost-saving initiatives, and material usage trends.

Qualifications:

· Education:

o Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or a related field preferred. Relevant experience will be considered as an alternative.

o Relevant certifications (e.g., CPP, CPSM) are a plus.

· Experience:

o Minimum of 3 years of experience in procurement or purchasing within a manufacturing environment.

o Strong knowledge of supply chain management and procurement best practices.

· Skills:

o Excellent negotiation and communication skills.

o Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook).

o Experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, etc.) is required. Epicor experience would be a plus.

o Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.

Additional Information:

- Full-time on-site role. Core hours are M-F 7AM-3:30PM w/overtime as needed.

- Competitive salary and benefits package.

- Opportunities for career growth and advancement.

- Dynamic work environment with a collaborative team.

Benefits Included for Full Time Members:

· At SMI, your long-term financial well-being is important to us. That’s why we have company-matching 401(k) on the first 3% of your pay with an additional 1/2 % on 4th and 5th percentage contributions – all with 100% full vesting, and eligibility on your first day of work.

· Medical benefits – choose between several health plans and deductibles. We have employee, employee + spouse, employee + child, and family plans available.

· Dental & Vision benefits, Disability, Life Insurance, Tuition reimbursement, work clothing, are also available.

· SMI promotes a life-long learning approach to your career by investing in top-quality equipment and tools to help you develop your career path of choice.

Salem Metal is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state, or local protected class.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $26.00 - $28.00 per hour

Benefits:

- 401(k) matching

- Dental insurance

- Employee assistance program

- Flexible spending account

- Health insurance

- Health savings account

- Life insurance

- Paid time off

- Referral program

- Retirement plan

- Tuition reimbursement

- Vision insurance

Work Location: In person