Purchasing Specialist

General Objective of the Role

The Purchasing Specialist – North America (Kansas) is responsible for ensuring the continuous and cost-effective supply of raw materials, components, and assemblies required to support U.S. manufacturing at the Kansas production site.

This role is responsible for plant-level procurement execution and supplier performance while working cross-functionally with purchasing, engineering, operations, and finance to support production schedules, engineering changes, and inventory accuracy. The position plays a critical role in maintaining material availability and supporting scalable manufacturing growth. This includes managing the daily processes of ordering materials and products, as well as ensuring the accuracy and availability of inventory. The role also involves monitoring and evaluating the performance and quality of external suppliers to help maintain strong and reliable supply chain operations.

Reporting Lines & Interactions

This position is onsite and reports directly to the US Purchasing Manager. Internally, you will coordinate the Warehouse, Engineering. Additionally, this role includes coordinating with our European teams as needed. Externally, you will coordinate with suppliers and vendors.

• Oversee purchasing activities for Kansas operations facility, ensuring timely and cost-effective procurement.
• Responsible for procurement of raw materials, components, and sub-assemblies supporting U.S. manufacturing operations.
• Establish order quantities, safety stock, and reorder points to support uninterrupted plant operations.
• Determine optimal order frequency and prepare recommendations for management.
• Partner daily with manufacturing, warehouse, and operations teams to review inventory levels, shortages, and priorities.
• Manage long-lead items and supplier constraints critical to production timelines.
• Monitor and mitigate risks related to obsolescence, substitutions, and material availability.
• Coordinate closely with engineering on ECOs, design changes, and part revisions.
• Ensure suppliers are aligned on updated drawings, specs, revisions, and timelines.
• Manage phase-in / phase-out of components to avoid excess or unusable inventory.
• Coordinate with the purchasing manager to track supplier Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) including delivery performance, pricing stability, and quality issues.
• Drive corrective actions with suppliers when quality or delivery issues impact production.
• Maintain accurate records of supplier performance, pricing, and delivery times to support data-driven decision-making.
• Coordinate with the purchasing manager to stay informed of industry trends, pricing changes, and market availability to anticipate potential supply chain risks.
• Utilize and improve the ERP-based supply and stock management system by managing order receipts, creating purchase orders, and entering new vendors.
• Continuously improve purchasing and inventory processes to support scale and efficiency.
• Work closely with purchasing, finance on invoice reconciliation, spend tracking, and budget adherence.
• Support logistics coordination, shipment tracking, and customs documentation as required.

• High school diploma required; bachelor’s degree in Logistics, or a related field is preferred.
• Three or more years of proven experience in manufacturing purchasing, supply chain, inventory management or supply chain operations.
• Proficiency with ERP or inventory management systems. Training on internal ERP system will be provided.
• Ability to work on-site in Kansas and collaborate directly with plant teams.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally; valid passport required.
• Excellent organizational, multi-tasking, and prioritization abilities, with the ability to meet deadlines and adapt to last-minute changes.
• Problem-solving mindset: pragmatic, able to distinguish between “good enough” and “nice to have.”
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including clear and consistent presentation abilities.
• Collaborative team leader with drive, autonomy, curiosity, and empathy.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy, with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy, with a continuous improvement mindset.