Buyer - Southwest Stainless & Alloy

Southwest Stainless & Alloy is a subsidiary of FloWorks International LLC, which is a privately held company located in Hosuton, Texas.

Job Information

The Buyer is responsible for purchasing and negotiating materials, equipment, and supplies from vendors, as well as evaluating vendor quotes and services to determine the most desirable suppliers. The Buyer supports branch operations by ensuring material availability, optimizing inventory levels, maintaining supplier relationships, and identifying cost-effective sourcing solutions.  

Key Responsibilities

• Review the procurement queue and analyze items for potential purchase.
• Ensure material is placed on order. 
• Follow up with vendors, sales teams, and customers to confirm delivery specifications and pricing. 
• Coordinate the timely flow of material from vendor to customer. 
• Follow up on order changes, cancellations, process returns, and cancellation fees. 
• Evaluate daily purchasing reports and prioritize purchase orders by critical need. 
• Ensure orders meet required lead times to minimize profit and sales impact. 
• Maintain product line purchasing parameters to ensure daily purchasing reports are accurate as calculated by computer inventory systems. 
• Initiate and verify price changes in the computer inventory system. 
• Monitor open orders and maintain projected delivery dates. 
• Negotiate pricing, delivery schedules, and order terms with approved suppliers to support profitability and customer service objectives. 
• Evaluate sourcing options and obtain competitive quotations from vendors to achieve cost-effective purchasing solutions. 
• Develop and maintain effective supplier relationships to support timely delivery, quality expectations, and issue resolution. 
• Coordinate inventory transfers and material movements between branches to support customer demand and optimize inventory levels. 
• Collaborate with branch operations, sales teams, and other locations to identify inventory availability and reduce excess inventory through internal transfers. 
• Analyze inventory requirements and recommend branch-to-branch stock reallocation opportunities to improve inventory utilization and minimize expedited purchases. 

Qualifications:

• Working knowledge of computer-based inventory management systems. 
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to interact professionally with vendors, customers, and internal teams. 
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Excel, and inventory management systems. 
• Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills. 
• Ability to negotiate with suppliers and evaluate sourcing alternatives. 
• Ability to analyze purchasing trends, inventory requirements, and replenishment needs. 
• Ability to effectively prioritize work and manage multiple projects simultaneously. 
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills. 

Physical Demands 

• Frequently required to stand
• Frequently required to walk
• Continually required to sit
• Continually required to utilize hand and finger dexterity
• Occasionally balance, bend, stoop, kneel or crawl
• Continually required to talk or hear
• Continually utilize visual acuity to read technical information and/or use a keyboard
• Occasionally required to lift/push/carry items up to 25 pounds
• Occasionally work near moving mechanical parts
• Occasionally work around fumes, airborne particles, or toxic chemicals
• Occasionally exposure to outside weather conditions
• Occasionally loud noise (examples: shop tool noises, electric motors, moving mechanical equipment)

Work Environment

This role operates in a professional office environment with flexibility for hybrid work. Standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and printers are used. Occasional visits to warehouses or operational sites may be required.

The Perks of Working Here

FloWorks offers a competitive benefits package designed to support your health, financial well-being, and work-life balance. Highlights include:

•  Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance with multiple plan options
•  Company-paid Life and Disability Insurance
•  401(k) with company match
•  Health Savings & Flexible Spending Accounts
•  Supplemental coverage (Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity)
•  Employee Assistance Program (includes 3 free counseling sessions)
•  Identity Theft Protection at discounted rates

This information indicates the general nature and level of work performed by associates in this role. It is not designed to contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of associates assigned to this role. This description supersedes any previous or undated descriptions for this role. Management retains the right to add or change the duties of the position at any time. Questions about the duties and responsibilities of this position should be directed to the reporting Manager or Human Resources.

FloWorks is an equal opportunity employer and gives consideration for employment to qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or protected veteran status. Committed to fostering a culture where every individual is valued and empowered to contribute to shared success.

FloWorks participates in the US Government’s E-Verify program.