Senior Buyer / Purchasing Specialist

Location: Newark, New Jersey

About the Company

This organization is a leading fire protection contractor with ~$40 million in annual revenue and a long-standing reputation for delivering high-quality fire sprinkler systems to commercial, industrial, and institutional clients in the Newark area and beyond. As our company continues to grow, we are seeking a highly skilled Senior Buyer / Purchasing Specialist to take ownership of our purchasing operations, ensuring accuracy, cost control, and strong supplier relationships.

Position Overview

The Senior Buyer / Purchasing Specialist will manage the entire procurement process for materials, equipment, and supplies essential to our fire protection projects. This role requires an experienced construction or mechanical trade purchasing professional who thrives on accuracy, negotiation, and proactive supplier management. You will be responsible for managing purchase orders (POs), verifying invoice accuracy, coordinating with project managers, and ensuring on-time delivery to meet project schedules.

Key Responsibilities

·         Oversee the full purchasing cycle for materials, equipment, and subcontracted services.

·         Issue, track, and manage purchase orders with accuracy and attention to contract terms.

·         Verify and reconcile supplier invoices against POs, delivery tickets, and project requirements.

·         Develop and maintain strong relationships with suppliers to negotiate favorable terms, pricing, and delivery schedules.

·         Collaborate with project managers, field supervisors, and accounting to align purchasing with project timelines and budgets.

·         Monitor material usage and inventory levels, recommending adjustments to purchasing plans as needed.

·         Resolve discrepancies with vendors regarding pricing, quantities, and deliveries.

·         Maintain organized records of POs, supplier agreements, and transaction history for audit and reporting purposes.

·         Evaluate and recommend new suppliers and cost-saving opportunities.

·         Support month-end close and financial reporting with purchasing-related data and insights.

Required Qualifications

·         5+ years of purchasing or procurement experience in construction, fire protection, plumbing, HVAC, or mechanical contracting.

·         Strong understanding of purchase order systems, supplier management, and construction supply chains.

·         Experience with ERP/accounting systems (Sage 300 CRE, Sage 100 Contractor, or similar preferred).

·         Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and general purchasing documentation.

·         Excellent negotiation, communication, and problem-solving skills.

·         Detail-oriented, organized, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

·         Knowledge of NFPA codes and fire protection industry materials is a plus.