Purchasing Specialist

JOB SUMMARY:

The Purchasing Specialist supports the day-to-day procurement of materials, equipment, and services to meet project and inventory needs. The Specialist will process transactions, coordinate with vendors and internal customers, and gain exposure to ERP and CRM systems used within the fire and life safety industry.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:

Review purchase requests and create accurate purchase orders in accordance with company policies.

Communicate with vendors to confirm pricing, lead times, and acknowledgments.

Monitor order status and provide delivery updates to internal stakeholders.

Assist with basic RFQ processes under the direction of more senior team members.

Help maintain appropriate stock levels by ordering inventory items as needed.

Participate in periodic inventory counts and reconciling discrepancies.

Use ERP and CRM systems (e.g., Sage, Salesforce Lightning) to manage purchasing transactions and documentation.

Collaborate with Warehouse, Accounts Payable, and Field Operations to support job requirements and resolve issues.

Escalate complex issues or vendor performance concerns to the Purchasing Agent or Lead.

Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

The qualifications listed below are representative of the elements required to perform the job successfully, however in some cases, an equivalent combination of Education, Training, Certifications and Experience may meet the job qualifications.

Education, Training, Certifications:

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Associate's degree or some college coursework in Business, Supply Chain, or related field, preferred.

Experience, Knowledge, Skill Requirements:

• 1-2 years of purchasing or procurement experience, strongly preferred.
• Fire Alarm and/or FE/PE purchasing experience, preferred.
• Experience supporting field service, construction, MRO, or distribution environments, preferred.
• Exposure to ERP or purchasing systems, strongly preferred.

Communication Skills:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to explain procedures, resolve issues, and coordinate cross-functionally without formal authority.

Systems and Software Skills:

• Basic proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and Oracle Fusion.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in data entry and documentation.
• Good communication and organizational skills.
• Willingness to learn industry-specific materials, vendor programs, and terminology.

Other Qualifications:

• Valid driver's license with acceptable driving record required.

Must be able to comply with Summit's Drug and Alcohol Policy and Background screening requirements, which may also include customer specific requirements based on contractual agreements.

PHYSICAL & WORK ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform Essential Job Duties.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit and stand for long periods. Employee will occasionally be required to drive, bend, kneel, balance, lift <20lb, walk, stand, ascend/descend stairs, reach above and below shoulders, stoop, and twist.

Work Environment:

Employee will consistently be required to work indoors in an office or remote setting, sit or stand for extended periods of time, and work alone and with others. The employee will be occasionally required to travel.

We are fully committed to equal opportunities for employment to all individuals regardless of race, national origin, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability, familial status, and any other classification protected under the law. We are an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer.

While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position, management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary.