We are looking for a Purchasing Specialist to join a service-focused organization in Texas on a contract-to-permanent basis. This role is ideal for a procurement specialist who can confidently manage purchasing operations in a machine shop or manufacturing environment while building strong supplier relationships. The right candidate will bring a practical approach to cost control, material availability, and cross-functional support for production and engineering needs.<br><br>Responsibilities:<br>• Direct the full purchasing cycle, from identifying needs and issuing purchase orders to tracking deliveries and closing out transactions accurately.<br>• Identify, evaluate, and develop supplier partnerships that improve pricing, service levels, and overall supply reliability.<br>• Negotiate commercial terms with vendors, including cost, lead times, and payment conditions, to support business objectives.<br>• Monitor supplier performance and address quality, delivery, or service concerns to maintain dependable material flow.<br>• Work closely with inventory, engineering, and production teams to align purchasing activity with demand forecasts and operational priorities.<br>• Review material availability and respond quickly to shortages or delayed shipments to reduce disruption to daily operations.<br>• Maintain current pricing and purchasing records, including cost updates and related documentation, to support accurate planning and reporting.<br>• Investigate and resolve purchasing discrepancies, invoice issues, and supplier-related problems in a timely manner.<br>• Use purchasing and inventory data to identify trends, improve decision-making, and strengthen overall procurement performance.