Purchasing Leader

Company Overview Grid Structures, a division of Southland Steel Fabricators, manufactures steel poles and structures supporting electric utility and renewable energy infrastructure. Our Amite operation is focused on employee safety, reliable quality, dependable delivery, and sustainable growth. Position Summary Grid Structures seeks a hands-on Purchasing Leader to secure the steel, fabricated components, hardware, and services our operation needs to meet customer commitments. This leader will personally engage suppliers, negotiate purchases, resolve shortages, and develop dependable purchasing processes that support Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost (SQDC). Experience purchasing steel for utility poles or related steel structures is strongly preferred. Success requires sound sourcing and procurement judgment, urgency, data-driven decisions, and a willingness to work directly with the shop floor—not simply direct purchasing from a desk. Core Accountabilities Own Steel and Critical Material Availability Purchase plate and other steel products, hardware, outside processing, and critical components against the manufacturing schedule and customer promise dates. Translate demand, drawings, bills of material, inventory, and lead times into timely purchase decisions; identify shortages early and develop recovery plans. Work daily with Production Control, Operations, Engineering, and Quality to confirm specifications, required dates, supplier commitments, and material readiness. Build Strong Suppliers and Commercial Results Source, qualify, and develop reliable suppliers with emphasis on steel availability, quality, lead time, competitiveness, and responsiveness. Personally lead quotations, negotiations, pricing agreements, and supplier escalations; evaluate total delivered cost, freight, minimums, and supply risk. Establish productive supplier relationships while holding suppliers accountable for on-time delivery, quality, and accurate documentation. Create Disciplined Purchasing Processes Own requisition-to-purchase-order execution, order confirmations, delivery follow-up, and purchase-order change control; keep system data accurate and current. Improve purchasing visibility through clear priorities, supplier schedules, inventory coordination, and practical standard work that reduces expediting and surprises. Partner with Finance to monitor purchase price variance, inventory investment, payment terms, and working capital without jeopardizing production continuity. Lead People and Solve Problems at the Source Provide clear priorities, coaching, and accountability for assigned purchasing personnel; remain personally involved in critical purchases and issues. Spend time in the operation to understand material usage, handling constraints, shortages, and the impact of buying decisions on production flow. Lead supplier-related root-cause and corrective actions; communicate risk, alternatives, and decisions promptly to site leadership. Required Experience and Capabilities Demonstrated success in purchasing, sourcing, or supply management within manufacturing, preferably steel fabrication or other engineered-to-order operations. Hands-on experience buying steel or other critical direct materials, negotiating with suppliers, and resolving shortages under tight production deadlines. Strong knowledge of purchasing fundamentals, systems, bills of material, lead times, inventory, and cost analysis; proficiency with Excel. Ability to interpret material specifications, work effectively with shop-floor teams, and balance customer delivery, supplier risk, and total cost. Clear communication, supplier negotiation, integrity, follow-through, and a visible, practical leadership style. Preferred Experience Steel plate sourcing for utility transmission/distribution poles, tubular structures, or comparable heavy steel fabrication; familiarity with grades, dimensions, mills, service centers, and steel-market dynamics. Experience developing strategic…

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