Fabrication & Machining Buyer

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities as management may deem necessary from time to time.

Custom Engineered Parts & Weldments

• •Purchase custom engineered, build-to-print components — machined parts, weldments, sheet metal, and fabricated assemblies — from engineering drawings and bills of materials.
• •Review drawings for material, tolerances, weld callouts, finish, and revision level before issuing RFQs; resolve questions with engineering ahead of placing orders.
• •Source, quote, and place weldment and fabrication orders, confirming welding requirements (process, certifications, inspection) and fixturing or tooling needs with suppliers.
• •Manage engineering changes (ECNs) on open orders, communicating revisions to suppliers and documenting cost and lead-time impacts.

Material Purchasing

• •Purchase raw materials — steel, stainless, and aluminum plate, bar, tube, and structural shapes — specifying grade, form, size, and certification requirements.
• •Determine when to buy material directly versus have the supplier furnish it; coordinate delivery of company-supplied material to machining and fabrication vendors.
• •Monitor material pricing, surcharges, and availability; obtain mill test reports and material certifications as required.

Secondary Operations

• •Plan and purchase secondary operations such as heat treating, plating, anodizing, black oxide, painting, powder coating, and grinding.
• •Sequence parts between primary and secondary suppliers, building realistic lead times that account for every operation and transit leg.
• •Track outside-processed parts through each step and confirm required certifications and finish specifications are met.

Sourcing & Supplier Management

• •Secure and analyze supplier quotations; negotiate price, terms, and delivery to meet project cost and schedule requirements.
• •Develop and qualify machining, fabrication, welding, finishing, and material suppliers; evaluate capability, capacity, quality, and on-time performance.
• •Work with Quality/Inspection to disposition rejected or non-conforming parts and drive supplier corrective action.

Purchase Order Administration

• •Issue, track, and expedite purchase orders to meet project build dates; review confirmations for quantity, cost, and lead-time accuracy.
• •Resolve invoice discrepancies and process returns promptly; maintain accurate purchasing records and documentation.
• •Supply relevant purchasing information to accounting, project management, and production as required.
• •Follow and comply with all safety and work rules and regulations.
• •Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Education and/or Experience

• •Associate’s degree in supply chain, business, or a related field preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• •Minimum of 3 years of purchasing experience in an industrial automation, machine-building, or manufacturing environment.
• •Demonstrated experience purchasing custom engineered, build-to-print parts, including machined components and weldments.
• •Experience purchasing raw materials (steel, stainless, aluminum) and coordinating secondary operations with outside processors.

Additional Competencies

• •Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, including GD&T, weld symbols, material callouts, and finish specifications.
• •Working knowledge of machining, fabrication, and welding processes and how they drive cost and lead time.
• •Strong negotiation, organizational, and follow-up skills, with the ability to manage many open orders against project deadlines.
• •Proficiency with ERP/MRP purchasing systems and Microsoft Office.

Summary

Under the direction of the Materials Manager, the Technical Buyer purchases custom engineered parts, weldments, raw materials, and outside services in support of custom automation projects. This role works directly from engineering drawings and bills of materials to source machined and fabricated components, buy the material behind them, and coordinate the secondary operations needed to deliver finished parts — balancing cost, quality, and delivery while working closely with engineering, quality, and production.