Role Description
The Purchasing / Material Specialist is responsible for the procurement, planning, inventory management, and material fulfillment activities that support telecom network construction, maintenance, and customer delivery programs. This role serves as a critical link between Supply Chain, Engineering, Operations, Field Services, and external suppliers to ensure materials are available at the right time, place, cost, and quality level.
As an individual contributor, the Purchasing / Material Specialist manages day-to-day purchasing activities, inventory optimization, supplier coordination, and material issue resolution while supporting operational and financial objectives. The role requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced telecommunications environment.
Key Responsibilities
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Procurement & Purchasing
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Create, manage, and expedite purchase orders for network equipment, construction materials, and operational supplies.
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Ensure timely procurement of fiber optic materials, cable, electronics, network hardware, power equipment, and construction-related components.
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Monitor supplier acknowledgments, lead times, and delivery commitments.
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Coordinate with suppliers to resolve shortages, backorders, quality concerns, and delivery issues.
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Support sourcing initiatives by providing spend analysis, supplier performance data, and market intelligence.
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Ensure purchasing activities comply with company policies, contracts, and approved supplier agreements.
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Material Planning & Inventory Management
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Monitor inventory levels and demand requirements across warehouses, depots, and project locations.
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Execute replenishment activities to maintain target inventory levels while minimizing excess and obsolete inventory.
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Analyze material usage trends, forecasts, and project requirements to support inventory planning decisions.
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Investigate inventory discrepancies and coordinate corrective actions.
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Support inventory audits, cycle counts, and reconciliation activities.
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Maintain accurate inventory records within ERP and inventory management systems.
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Project & Network Support
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Partner with Engineering, Construction, Network Operations, and Program Management teams to support network build and maintenance projects.
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Ensure material availability for customer implementations, network expansions, and restoration activities.
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Track critical project materials and proactively communicate potential supply risks.
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Support emergency material requests associated with network outages and service restoration activities.
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Coordinate material transfers between warehouses and field locations as required.
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Supplier & Logistics Coordination
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Develop and maintain effective working relationships with suppliers and logistics providers.
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Track inbound shipments and coordinate delivery schedules to meet operational requirements.
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Escalate supplier performance issues and support corrective action plans.
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Assist in evaluating supplier performance metrics including on-time delivery, quality, responsiveness, and cost management.
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Data Management & Reporting
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Maintain accurate purchasing, inventory, and supplier information within company systems.
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Generate and analyze reports related to inventory levels, purchase order status, supplier performance, and material availability.
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Identify trends and recommend process improvements that enhance supply chain performance.
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Support KPI tracking and reporting for supply chain leadership.
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Process Improvement & Compliance
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Participate in continuous improvement initiatives focused on procurement efficiency, inventory optimization, and service delivery.
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Ensure compliance with company purchasing policies, financial controls, and inventory management procedures.
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Support standardization of material master data and procurement processes.
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Assist with implementation of new systems, tools, and supply chain processes.
Qualifications
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Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Logistics, Operations Management, or related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
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Two to five (2–5) years of experience in purchasing, materials management, inventory control, supply chain, or procurement.
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Experience working with ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, or similar platforms.
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Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and data analysis.
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Excellent organizational and time management skills.
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Strong verbal and written communication skills.
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Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced operational environment.
Preferred Qualifications
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Telecommunications, utility, construction, or technology industry experience.
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Experience supporting fiber network deployment, outside plant (OSP), data center, or network infrastructure projects.
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Knowledge of telecom materials including fiber cable, conduit, handholes, electronics, power systems, and network equipment.
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APICS/ASCM, ISM, CPM, CPSM, or related supply chain certification.
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Experience with inventory planning and demand forecasting methodologies.
Requirements
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Estimated base salary range: $53,300 - $82,000 USD/annually.
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The base pay range shown is a guideline and reasonable estimate for this role.
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Actual compensation offered may vary from the posted range based upon geographic location, work experience, skill level, certifications, and other business and organizational needs.
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Non-sales roles may be eligible to participate in a discretionary annual incentive plan.
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Sales roles may be eligible to participate in a sales incentive plan.
Benefits
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Excellent Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
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Retirement 401(k) Savings Plan
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Generous paid time off policy including paid parental leave
