Purchasing Agent

The Purchasing Agent is responsible for procuring the raw materials, components, supplies, equipment, and services required to support ETI Precision’s manufacturing operations and calibration laboratories.

This position manages purchasing activities from supplier sourcing and quotation through purchase order issuance, order follow-up, delivery, and resolution of purchasing-related issues. The Purchasing Agent works with internal departments and suppliers to ensure materials and services are available when needed and meet established requirements for quality, cost, delivery, and documentation.

The position also supports purchasing requirements for ETI Precision’s calibration laboratory operations in Frederick, Maryland; Roanoke, Texas; and the Huntersville, North Carolina area.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Procure raw materials, components, finished goods, equipment, supplies, consumables, and services required to support ETI Precision’s manufacturing and calibration laboratory operations.

Review inventory levels, production requirements, forecasts, open orders, lead times, and operational priorities to determine purchasing needs and timing.

Prepare, issue, and maintain accurate purchase orders, including specifications, quantities, pricing, delivery requirements, shipping instructions, and applicable quality or documentation requirements.

Obtain and evaluate supplier quotations and negotiate pricing, lead times, payment terms, and other commercial conditions.

Monitor open purchase orders and proactively follow up, expedite, reschedule, or resolve issues that may affect production, laboratory operations, or customer commitments.

Source and evaluate new or alternate suppliers and materials, monitor supplier performance, and address quality, delivery, responsiveness, lead-time, and cost issues to ensure continuity of supply and reduce supply-chain risk.

Ensure purchased materials and services meet applicable technical, quality, traceability, certification, and documentation requirements.

Maintain accurate procurement records, including supplier, item, pricing, lead-time, purchase order, and supporting documentation, within the company’s ERP or purchasing system to meet company, customer, quality, and accreditation requirements.

Resolve purchasing-related issues involving shortages, receiving discrepancies, rejected or damaged materials, invoice variances, returns, credits, and supplier performance.

Maintain professional and ethical relationships with suppliers and protect confidential company, customer, supplier, pricing, and technical information.

Perform other related duties and special projects as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

Associate degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, Engineering Technology, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.

Minimum of three years of experience in purchasing, procurement, materials management, supply chain, or a related field, preferably in a manufacturing, technical-service, calibration, or quality-regulated environment.

Demonstrated experience preparing and managing purchase orders and working directly with suppliers.

Ability to read and understand product specifications, bills of material, technical requirements, and supplier quotations.

Strong organizational, analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.

Ability to manage multiple priorities and respond effectively to changing operational requirements and material shortages.

Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Proficiency with ERP or MRP systems and Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Outlook, and Word.

High level of accuracy and attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, Engineering, or a related field.

Purchasing experience involving metals, electronic or electromechanical components, machined parts, chemicals, packaging, or other technical materials.

Experience supporting calibration laboratories, testing laboratories, or technical-service operations.

Familiarity with ISO 9001, ISO/IEC 17025, or similar quality-management and laboratory accreditation requirements.

Experience with supplier qualification, supplier performance management, corrective actions, or audit support.

Professional certification such as CPSM, CPIM, CSCP, or equivalent.

Experience supporting purchasing activities across multiple locations.

Physical and Work Requirements:

Ability to work at a computer and communicate by telephone, email, and virtual meeting for extended periods.

Ability to work in and around warehouse, production, and laboratory environments as needed to review materials, packaging, labels, documentation, and receiving issues.

Ability to occasionally lift or move items weighing up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Occasional travel to ETI Precision facilities, suppliers, or other business locations may be required.

Additional hours may occasionally be required to address urgent production, laboratory, or supply-chain needs