Position Title: Parts & Procurement Specialist

Reporting To: Procurement Manager
Department: Generator Manufacturing Division

COMPANY OVERVIEW

Central Power Systems & Services is a privately held company with deep roots going back to 1954. Our mission is forging long-lasting partnerships by providing first-class customer support, and we live that mission every day through our commitment to our customers, employees, and communities.

As Central Power Systems & Services continues to experience significant growth, we are looking for a Parts & Procurement Specialist to support our Generator Manufacturing Division. This position plays a critical role in keeping production moving by ensuring raw materials, fabricated parts, and other required components are available when needed.

We value individuals who are humble, hungry, and smart—people who are willing to learn, take ownership, solve problems, and work collaboratively to get the job done.

JOB SUMMARY

The Parts & Procurement Specialist is responsible for supporting the purchasing and material requirements of the Generator Manufacturing Division. This position develops and releases purchase orders according to established scheduling processes, monitors open and planned orders, and proactively identifies and resolves material issues that could impact production schedules.

The Parts & Procurement Specialist works closely with vendors, Production, Engineering, Warehouse, and Procurement leadership to maintain adequate material availability, manage inventory responsibly, and support cost-effective and efficient production.

The ideal candidate is a fast-learning, highly organized purchasing professional with an understanding of steel commodities and the ability to locate difficult-to-source materials. This individual must be able to make sound purchasing decisions while balancing price, quality, availability, lead time, inventory, and production requirements.

Most importantly, this position understands that keeping production moving is the priority and is willing to take ownership, find solutions, and do what is necessary to locate the right material at the right price and ensure it is available when and where it is needed.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Purchasing & Procurement

• Develop and release purchase orders based on material requirements, production schedules, inventory levels, and established purchasing processes.
• Work closely with vendors to ensure raw materials, purchased components, and other required items are available and delivered according to schedule.
• Coordinate with subcontract vendors for powder coating, fabricated parts, and other outsourced production requirements.
• Research vendor websites, databases, catalogs, and other resources to identify sources, pricing, availability, and product information.
• Convert material requirements into purchase orders based on conventional sizes, quantities, specifications, and production needs.
• Schedule deliveries based on production forecasts and required production dates.
• Compare suppliers and purchasing options to obtain the best overall value while meeting quality and delivery requirements.
• Identify difficult-to-source materials and develop solutions to support production requirements.
• Maintain accurate purchasing records, supplier information, and supporting documentation.

Material Planning & Production Support

• Monitor material requirements and determine when additional supplies may need to be ordered due to production requirements, material rejections, shortages, or engineering changes.
• Retrieve, enter, and maintain material and purchasing information within the company's Material Requirements Planning (MRP)/ERP system.
• Monitor open and planned orders to ensure materials are completed and delivered according to promised dates.
• Proactively expedite orders and communicate issues that could impact production.
• Escalate and assist in resolving material shortages, vendor delays, quality issues, and other concerns that could prevent timely production.
• Work closely with Production, Engineering, Warehouse, and the Procurement Manager regarding priorities, production holds, throughput, capacity issues, part shortages, and engineering changes affecting released orders.
• Identify and research parts and materials using engineering software, drawings, specifications, and related systems.
• Work closely with production and warehouse personnel to ensure materials are available when needed.
• Support effective inventory management and material availability.
• Assist with resolving vendor and material-related issues that could impact production schedules or customer commitments.

Purchasing & Cost Management

• Understand purchasing and pricing principles, including volume pricing, discounts, surcharges, market fluctuations, and their impact on total cost.
• Identify opportunities to reduce purchasing costs while maintaining quality, availability, and delivery requirements.
• Compare suppliers, pricing, lead times, and purchasing options to ensure the company receives the best overall value.
• Document purchasing cost savings and cost-avoidance opportunities.
• Monitor market conditions and material pricing trends that may affect purchasing decisions.
• Maintain accurate purchasing records, documentation, and supplier information.

Inventory & Materials Management

• Help maintain strong control of raw-material and purchased-item inventory.
• Monitor inventory levels and anticipate future material requirements.
• Help establish and maintain appropriate inventory levels to support production without creating unnecessary excess inventory.
• Monitor material usage and identify potential shortages or excess inventory.
• Coordinate with Production, Warehouse, and Procurement to ensure material requirements are aligned with production needs.
• Assist with inventory-related research, reconciliation, and problem resolution as needed.

Vendor & Internal Relationships

• Develop and maintain strong, professional working relationships with vendors and internal departments.
• Communicate clearly and consistently regarding order status, delivery requirements, material availability, and potential issues.
• Hold vendors accountable to agreed-upon pricing, quality, and delivery expectations.
• Partner with internal teams to understand changing production priorities and respond accordingly.
• Provide timely updates regarding material shortages, delays, and other issues affecting production.
• Assist other team members as needed to ensure production and customer needs are met.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve procurement processes, material availability, vendor performance, inventory management, and overall efficiency.
• Recommend and implement process improvements that support production and reduce cost or waste.
• Look for opportunities to improve supplier relationships, lead times, purchasing practices, and material flow.
• Take ownership of problems and work proactively toward practical solutions.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

WHY JOIN CENTRAL POWER?

• Competitive Pay
• Medical, Dental, Vision & Life Insurance
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Training & Professional Development
• Career Advancement Opportunities
• Employee Referral Program
• Growing company with opportunities for increased responsibility
• Family-oriented culture built on a strong moral and ethical foundation

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Qualifications

• Previous purchasing, procurement, material planning, inventory, or related manufacturing experience.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, production-driven environment.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with vendors and internal departments.
• Strong computer skills and ability to learn and navigate ERP/MRP systems.
• Ability to research products, materials, vendors, pricing, and availability independently.
• Ability to work collaboratively while also taking ownership of individual responsibilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience purchasing steel, metal, fabricated components, or other manufacturing materials.
• Experience working within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with an ERP/MRP system.
• Knowledge of conventional steel sizes, grades, and material specifications.
• Experience with subcontracted manufacturing processes such as powder coating, fabrication, or other outsourced services.
• Experience with material planning, production scheduling, or inventory control.
• Previous experience expediting materials or managing vendor lead times.

WORK CONDITIONS

Physical Demands/Work Environment:
This position regularly requires walking, standing, sitting, stooping, bending, kneeling and climbing stairs. It also often requires pushing, pulling, twisting, lifting 50+ lbs. and working in a variety of weather conditions and noise levels. This list is not meant to cover every possible scenario but simply provide an outline. Employees may be assigned other tasks as needed.

Equal Employment Opportunity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Central Power Systems & Services is a smoke-free and drug-free workplace. Employment offers are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and drug screen (including THC).

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Employment eligibility will be verified at the time of hire. You must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. to be considered for this role.