Purchasing Manager

Job Title
Purchasing Manager
Project Overview
The Purchasing Manager will support the turnkey engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, and turnover of two (2) 21,000-ton central chiller plants. The project requires timely procurement of major mechanical, electrical, and control systems to meet performance, reliability, energy efficiency, and safety requirements suitable for Central Texas climate and regulatory conditions.
Position Summary
The Purchasing Manager is responsible for managing all procurement activities for the project, including vendor sourcing, contract negotiations, expediting, logistics, and supplier performance management. This role ensures that long-lead equipment, materials, and services are procured in alignment with the project schedule, budget, quality standards, and technical specifications. The Purchasing Manager works closely with engineering, project management, construction, QA/QC, and commissioning teams to support successful turnkey delivery.
Key Responsibilities
Procurement Strategy & Execution

• Develop and execute the project procurement plan in alignment with the overall project execution strategy.
• Identify and manage long-lead items including chillers, cooling towers, pumps, heat exchangers, electrical switchgear, generators, VFDs, controls, piping systems, and specialty equipment.
• Coordinate procurement activities across engineering, construction, and commissioning phases.
• Ensure materials and equipment meet all technical specifications, codes, and performance requirements.

Vendor & Supplier Management

• Prequalify suppliers and subcontractors based on capability, safety, quality, financial stability, and delivery performance.
• Issue RFQs/RFPs, evaluate bids, and perform commercial and technical comparisons.
• Lead contract negotiations, purchase order issuance, and terms and conditions review.
• Manage supplier relationships to ensure schedule adherence, quality compliance, and cost control.

Schedule, Expediting & Logistics

• Develop and maintain procurement schedules aligned with the master project schedule.
• Actively expedite vendor submittals, fabrication, factory testing, and deliveries.
• Coordinate logistics, transportation, and site delivery sequencing to support construction efficiency.
• Monitor risks related to supply chain disruptions and implement mitigation strategies.

Cost Control & Commercial Management

• Ensure procurement activities remain within approved project budgets.
• Support cost forecasting, change management, and commercial risk assessments.
• Evaluate and manage procurement-related change orders and claims.
• Collaborate with project controls to track committed and forecasted costs.

Quality & Compliance

• Coordinate with QA/QC to ensure supplier compliance with quality requirements, inspection plans, and factory acceptance testing (FAT).
• Ensure procurement complies with applicable codes, standards, and local Central Texas requirements.
• Support documentation collection for turnover, including warranties, certifications, and as-built information.

Reporting & Coordination

• Provide regular procurement status reports to project leadership.
• Participate in project planning, risk reviews, and coordination meetings.
• Interface with owner representatives, engineers, vendors, and subcontractors as required.
• Support commissioning and turnover with timely delivery of materials and documentation.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Construction Management, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Minimum 7–10 years of procurement or purchasing experience on large industrial, commercial, or infrastructure projects.
• Demonstrated experience with EPC or turnkey project delivery models.
• Strong knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and controls systems procurement.
• Experience with central utility plants, chiller plants, or large MEP systems preferred.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strong negotiation and contract management skills
• Excellent organizational and analytical abilities
• Schedule-driven mindset with strong expediting experience
• Ability to manage multiple vendors and priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Strong communication and cross-functional coordination skills

Software & Systems

• Proficiency in ERP and procurement systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Procore, or equivalent)
• Strong skills in Microsoft Excel, scheduling tools, and document control platforms

Work Environment

• Primarily office-based with periodic site visits and vendor facility inspections
• Occasional travel to supplier manufacturing facilities and project sites
• Full-time role supporting engineering through commissioning and turnover phases