ASSISTANT PURCHASING MANAGER JOB DESCRIPTION

Procurement in construction is not an abstract function. When subcontractor awards fall behind schedule, or purchase orders are drafted without verified plans, projects slip and budget overruns follow. The Assistant Purchasing Manager manages the acquisition of materials, subcontracts, and contractor services for active construction projects, working inside an estimating and project management structure where buyout accuracy is tracked from bid to close. Residential and commercial builders rely on this seat to coordinate competitive bidding, validate contract terms, and keep procurement aligned to the project schedule. No two projects run the same.

As the Assistant Purchasing Manager, you coordinate the full procurement cycle across active construction projects, from verifying purchase requisitions and bidding architectural plans to subcontractors through authorizing payments and managing costs against approved budgets. You work closely with Estimating and Project Management teams, reporting up through the Director or Senior Purchasing Manager, with scope spanning multiple projects simultaneously at varying stages of completion.

Career Impact: Deep exposure to subcontract negotiation and buyout management in construction gives you a résumé profile that transfers directly into senior procurement or project controls roles.

Business Impact: Your accuracy in awarding subcontracts and controlling material costs has a measurable effect on project margin, keeping jobs within budget from the first purchase order through final close.

Growth Opportunity: Managing procurement across multiple concurrent projects builds the cross-functional judgment needed to step into a Purchasing Manager or Project Manager seat in a general contracting environment.

• Verify purchase requisitions and prepare purchase orders for materials, subcontracts, and contractor services across active construction projects.
• Bid architectural plans to subcontractors and vendors to obtain competitive pricing aligned to project budget and schedule requirements.
• Coordinate subcontract awards with Estimating and Project Management teams to meet project schedule milestones.
• Review contract plans and specifications for technical and contractual accuracy before issuing proposals or purchase orders.
• Maintain buyout summaries to track procurement status on each project from award through completion.
• Evaluate vendors and subcontractors for financial standing and performance history to ensure reliable delivery.
• Authorize payments for approved purchases and liaise with Accounts Payable to ensure documentation is complete and timely.
• Partner with project management to develop budgets for upcoming projects and manage costs against those budgets throughout execution.

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• 3 or more years of purchasing or procurement experience, with exposure to subcontract management in a construction or building environment.
• Demonstrated ability to read and interpret construction plans, specifications, and contract documents.
• Experience preparing and reviewing purchase orders, subcontracts, and bid packages for accuracy and completeness.
• Strong negotiation skills with experience engaging subcontractors, vendors, and suppliers on pricing and terms.
• Proficiency with office productivity software including word processing, spreadsheets, and email.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills for coordinating across field, estimating, and project management teams.

• Field experience in construction, estimating, or project coordination, in addition to a procurement background.
• Familiarity with construction project management or purchasing platforms used for buyout tracking and subcontract administration.
• Experience managing procurement across multiple concurrent projects at different stages of completion.
• Knowledge of subcontractor qualification processes, including financial review and performance rating.

• Buyout completion rate per project, tracking the percentage of subcontracts awarded on schedule.
• Purchase order accuracy rate, measured by the proportion of POs requiring correction or re-issue.
• Budget variance per project, reflecting how closely managed procurement costs stay to approved estimates.
• Subcontractor bid cycle time, measuring days from plan issuance to competitive award.
• Accounts Payable documentation turnaround, tracking timely submission of POs, invoices, and delivery records.

• Base Salary Range: $60,000 to $80,000 annually, depending on experience and market
• Bonus: Project-based or annual performance bonus, typically 5 to 10%
• Equity: Not typical at this level in construction; may apply at larger firms
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage; employer contribution varies by company
• PTO: 10 to 15 days annually, plus standard federal holidays
• Common Perks: Mileage or vehicle reimbursement, professional development support, 401(k) with employer match

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Work authorization in the United States is required for this position. Employment is contingent on the successful completion of a background check, which may include verification of prior employment and reference checks consistent with construction industry standards. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and employment process. All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

The Assistant Purchasing Manager owns end-to-end procurement of equipment, MRO parts, services, and supplies for a manufacturing facility, driving process improvement and the lowest total cost of ownership across storeroom inventory and projects. Reporting to facility and headquarters leadership and collaborating with cross-functional teams, this role enables value creation through transformation, innovation, and streamlined procure-to-pay processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with all safety, purchasing, fiduciary, stores, and environmental policies and procedures.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams at the facility and headquarters to implement initiatives that support business priorities.
• Lead, coach, and mentor employees.
• Drive value creation through transformation, innovation, and process improvement.
• Identify, analyze, and execute opportunities to streamline processes and achieve the lowest total cost of ownership on projects, storeroom inventory, and other purchases.
• Assist in procuring, negotiating, contracting, and managing inventory of equipment, MRO parts, services, and supplies.
• Work with requestors to understand requirements, specifications, and timing.
• Improve the procure-to-pay process, including invoice reconciliation management, and train internal customers on their roles in these processes as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Supply Chain, Finance, or Engineering.
• At least three years of procurement or related experience.
• Five years of purchasing experience instead of a degree.
• Experience in the manufacturing industry of at least three years.
• Experience using data analytics tools.
• Experience with an ERP system such as SAP.
• Experience negotiating local, regional, or national contracts.

Embedded within the purchasing and inventory department, the Assistant Purchasing Manager delivers efficient materials management by counting and ordering to meet production requirements, reconciling physical inventory counts, and conducting category deep dives to improve inventory turns. Working closely with suppliers, cross-functional teams, and leadership, this role supports a culture focused on team member experience and customer experience while minimizing inventory variances and eliminating waste.

Core Functions

• Manage and develop the department.
• Facilitate a culture focused on team member experience, customer experience, and leadership.
• Count and order materials to meet production requirements.
• Maintain the least amount of material in inventory required to meet production needs, and minimize inventory variances.
• Review backorders and address them with suppliers.
• Review and collaborate on sales orders and production schedules to proactively address material needs and constraints.
• Comply with all corporate contracts and standard operating procedures.
• Lead and reconcile quarterly physical inventory counts.
• Conduct category deep dives to improve inventory turns and reduce shortages.
• Work with suppliers and other departments to eliminate waste and improve efficiency.
• Hold suppliers accountable to terms and performance standards.
• Manage the issue resolution process.

Qualifications & Experience

• High School Diploma or equivalent; additional experience is a plus.
• JD Edwards or AS400 experience is a plus.
• At least three years of experience in contracting and negotiating pricing of building materials.
• Experience in the residential building sector.
• At least one year of experience in a supervisory or team lead capacity.
• Hands-on residential construction experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.

Reporting to the Regional Head of Department, the Assistant Purchasing Manager leads supplier negotiations aligned to regional strategy and takes responsibility for annual negotiation results in the Regional Head's absence across all categories. Partnering with team members and existing customers, this role shapes competitive assortment and brand positioning by identifying current market trends and building team capability for growth and development.

Primary Duties

• Lead supplier negotiation aligned to regional strategy, ensuring the most competitive terms and conditions are achieved.
• Take responsibility for annual negotiation results in the absence of the Regional Head of Department.
• Lead professional expertise and strategy across all categories when supporting new projects and tenders, and maintain ongoing relationships with existing customers.
• Identify and implement current market trends with relevant assortment and brands, utilizing the team for support and implementation.
• Lead, inspire, and motivate team members to achieve set objectives and drive positive engagement, building team members' capability for growth and development.

Skills & Qualifications

• Degree in Business or Purchasing with at least six years of practical experience in a buying role.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, and Teams, with exposure to SAP preferred.
• Strong communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills with a proven ability to sustain long-term relationships.
• Strong business and financial acumen with attention to detail and an organized approach to day-to-day management of the team and external stakeholders.
• Ability to mentor team members and lead a capable team that adapts to business needs.
• Ability to multi-task effectively in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

Sitting at the intersection of procurement strategy and construction project delivery, the Assistant Purchasing Manager leads the full cycle of materials, subcontracts, and temporary facilities acquisition for Middlesex Corporation construction projects, including negotiation of price, delivery, and credit terms. Operating across estimating, project management, and accounts payable teams, this role ensures purchase orders and subcontracts are drafted properly, buyout summaries are maintained, and vendors and subcontractors are evaluated for financial and performance ratings.

Duties

• Maintain status updates for all projects to ensure the timely acquisition of materials and services.
• Review contract plans and specifications for contractual and technical accuracy before requesting proposals.
• Meet with project management teams to ensure timely purchase of materials and award of subcontracts in order to meet project schedule requirements.
• Coordinate the award of purchase orders and subcontracts with the estimating and project management teams.
• Ensure that purchase orders and subcontracts are drafted properly and completely.
• Maintain buyout summaries to properly track purchasing on each project.
• Evaluate all vendors and subcontractors for financial and performance ratings.
• Interview sales representatives and potential subcontractors to broaden supply sources.
• Act as a liaison among vendors, subcontractors, and the accounts payable department.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or Construction Management.
• Construction experience required; field or estimating experience preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office software, including Word, Excel, Outlook, Access, PowerPoint, Publisher, and other graphics programs.
• Strong negotiating skills.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to adapt to different personalities and management styles and to interface with field management teams.

A key member of the purchasing team at Union Corrugating, the Assistant Purchasing Manager leads vendor negotiation, inventory replenishment analysis, and performance tracking across multiple plant locations to ensure adequate raw material supply. Collaborating across plant personnel, the receiving department, and the Director of Purchasing, this role builds supply chain resilience by locating new vendors, managing raw material claims, and improving inventory turns for a leading metal roofing manufacturer.

Functions

• Assist the Director of Purchasing in negotiating the best vendor terms, pricing, and delivery based on specific budget and scheduling requirements.
• Generate reporting based on inventory levels, usage trends, and lead times to assist with inventory purchase decisions.
• Analyze reporting and coordinate with plant personnel to determine replenishment needs to maintain adequate inventories at multiple plant locations.
• Locate new vendors for needed materials and evaluate them for qualifications, material availability, competitive pricing, and lead times.
• Track key performance indicators and identify ways to improve performance against the metrics.
• Monitor aged materials at multiple plant locations and reallocate slow-moving items to locations with greater usage to improve inventory turns.
• Prepare and place raw material claims with suppliers, and maintain open claim file records, completion dates, and resolutions.
• Work closely with the receiving department to ensure proper shipments have arrived.
• Comply with safety and corporate guidelines on business ethics.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain management or a related field.
• Five years of experience in supply chain management, purchasing, data analysis, or a related field.
• Steel industry experience required.
• MRP planning experience.
• Knowledge of inventory control techniques.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to manage independent problem-solving and sound decision-making.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and database tools.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to interact with vendors and internal personnel professionally.

Smooth and efficient operation of the hotel purchasing department depends on the Assistant Purchasing Manager, who leads a purchasing team to procure required items at market-competitive prices without compromising quality, managing everything from competitive quotes and purchase orders to vendor relations and month-end reporting. Based within a hotel environment and liaising with suppliers, government departments, and internal departments including the executive chef and accounts payable, this role directly supports food cost control, regulatory compliance, and the integrity of all procurement documentation.

Accountabilities

• Ensure familiarity with purchasing policies and procedures.
• Supervise and coordinate the work of the purchasing team.
• Ensure that proper purchasing procedures are in place, with purchase orders placed only by the purchasing department after due authorization by management.
• Ensure that competitive quotes are obtained as per policy and that all options are exhausted in obtaining the best possible quotations.
• Review all purchase requests and purchase orders processed by subordinates.
• Conduct market price surveys in coordination with the cost controller and executive chef regularly.
• Maintain good relations with all hotel departments and suppliers, and conduct regular vendor visitations for high-risk suppliers.
• Ensure that all unmatched and open purchase orders are investigated and that proposed actions are taken on a regular basis.
• Assist in the preparation of month-end reports and other ad hoc reports as required.
• Ensure adherence to national or global purchasing agreements in accordance with the applicable approval authority.
• Ensure approval is received before initiating tenders for potential purchases of goods or services in excess of $100,000.
• Assist the executive chef in ensuring that food cost is kept to a minimum.
• Ensure that all month-end procedures are strictly followed and that deadlines are met.
• Maintain file management, including contracts, bidding documents, and purchase orders.
• Liaise with relevant government departments, including those responsible for animal and plant inspection, wine and tobacco licensing, and customs.
• Prepare a purchase order outstanding list for month-end purposes.
• Ensure all documentation, including purchase orders, invoices, and delivery dockets, is forwarded to accounts payable in a timely manner.
• Minimize the risks of accidents and workers' compensation costs by ensuring correct work practices are used and that the area is safe from hazards.

Experience & Qualifications

• College graduate with at least two years of working experience as a Purchasing Supervisor.
• Prior experience in related work preferred.
• Proficiency in Excel, Microsoft Word, and hotel inventory and purchasing software.
• Ability to lead, provide guidance, and develop team members.
• Knowledge of supplies relevant to the role.
• Above business-level fluency in Korean and English, both written and verbal.
• Ability to be resourceful and creative while maintaining flexibility in relation to working hours, especially at month-end and during stocktake.