Purchasing and Procurement Agent

Position Overview

We are looking for a motivated and experienced Purchasing and Procurement Agent to lead our vendor management and purchasing operations. This individual will handle supplier relationships, assist the estimation team with vendor pricing for projects, act as the central purchasing coordinator during project execution, maintain strong vendor partnerships, and secure optimal value from supplier transactions. Reporting directly to the Director of Project Management, the successful candidate will possess strong negotiation skills, experience navigating project timelines, and talent for relationship-building with vendors.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and sustain long-term partnerships with vendors; resolve issues such as supply shortages or defective goods.
• Identify and evaluate potential suppliers for unique materials and items.
• Assess vendor proposals in coordination with estimation and project management teams, ensuring alignment with project specifications and budgets.
• Compare prices, product quality, and delivery lead-times across vendors.
• Negotiate favorable pricing and volume discounts for inventory items with suppliers.
• Agree on payment terms that support company interests and project cash flows.
• Arrange delivery schedules with internal teams to ensure smooth coordination.
• Create and maintain a preferred vendors list along with comprehensive records of purchases and pricing.
• Manage purchase forecasts alongside project managers, operations, and accounts payable.
• Collaborate directly with craft department leaders on inventory thresholds and with estimators regarding material costs.

Key Qualities

• Effective communication: Able to serve as a liaison between vendors and internal teams ensuring clear information flow.
• Leadership: Capable of gathering information from peers and vendors and pushing procurement goals forward with urgency.
• Problem solving: Comfortable addressing unexpected challenges collaboratively.
• Efficiency: Values time management to meet objectives promptly.
• Organizational skills: Skilled in managing documents, schedules, and leveraging software tools for scaling operations.
• Emotional intelligence: Able to adapt approach and work well with diverse teams including craftspeople and creative professionals.

Requirements

• At least 5 years of experience in purchasing, procurement, or project finance management.
• Competent in reviewing contracts to analyze terms, identify obligations, and assess risks.
• Strong time and expectation management skills.
• A bachelor's degree or higher is required.
• Must be willing to work full-time onsite at the New Orleans office, with occasional travel for vendor meetings or learning opportunities.
• Proficient with software including Excel or Google Sheets, Slack, Asana, Google Calendar, and ideally some project management platforms.

Compensation and Benefits

• Annual salary range of $60,000 to $70,000 depending on experience and fit.
• 401(k) plan participation.
• Dental, health, and vision insurance.
• Health savings account and life insurance coverage.
• Paid time off: up to 20 accrued days annually plus 10 paid holidays.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Downtown FabWorks is dedicated to fostering a diverse and qualified workforce by providing equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, sex or gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national origin, religion, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, parental status, military service, or retaliation for protected activities. Discrimination and harassment based on these factors are strictly prohibited.