Purchasing Team Lead

Tailwind Applied Sciences provides specialized solutions supporting critical infrastructure projects across data centers, power systems, and industrial environments. We are seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Purchaser to join our growing team. This role is responsible for managing the procurement of materials, equipment, supplies, and services necessary to support ongoing operations and project execution.

The ideal candidate has experience negotiating with vendors, coordinating deliveries, maintaining supplier relationships, and ensuring materials are delivered on time, within budget, and according to specification.

Position Summary

The Purchaser will manage the end-to-end purchasing process, from sourcing suppliers and obtaining quotations to issuing purchase orders and tracking deliveries. This individual will work closely with Operations, Engineering, Finance, Warehouse, and Project Management teams to ensure uninterrupted support of company projects and business operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Review purchase requests and verify specifications, quantities, pricing, and delivery requirements.
• Generate and manage purchase orders in a timely and accurate manner.
• Source, evaluate, and onboard qualified suppliers and vendors.
• Obtain and compare quotations based on cost, quality, lead times, service, and reliability.
• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, lead times, and contractual agreements to maximize value and reduce costs.
• Monitor open purchase orders and proactively expedite deliveries when necessary.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders to ensure procurement activities align with project schedules and operational needs.
• Resolve supplier issues related to quality, shortages, delivery delays, pricing discrepancies, or invoicing concerns.
• Maintain accurate procurement records, supplier information, contracts, pricing agreements, and purchasing documentation.
• Ensure compliance with company purchasing policies, approval procedures, and contractual requirements.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings, supplier consolidation, process improvement, and inventory optimization.
• Assist with vendor performance evaluations and supplier relationship management initiatives.
• Provide support for larger sourcing and procurement projects as assigned.

Qualifications

Required

• 3-5 years of purchasing, procurement, or supply chain experience.
• Experience purchasing materials, equipment, parts, or services in a construction, industrial, manufacturing, power generation, or data center environment.
• Strong negotiation skills with a demonstrated ability to obtain favorable pricing and terms.
• Experience managing multiple suppliers and purchase orders simultaneously.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Experience working within ERP, MRP, or procurement management systems.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize workload and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience supporting data center, power generation, electrical, construction, or mission-critical infrastructure projects.
• Familiarity with supplier contracts, vendor agreements, and procurement best practices.
• Knowledge of inventory management principles and supply chain processes.
• Professional procurement certifications such as CPSM, CPM, CPIM, or CIPS.