Purchasing Agent-Mechanical, Electrical, & Welding Tools
Description
Join a fast-growing construction organization where your purchasing expertise directly powers field success. As a Purchasing Agent – Mechanical, Electrical & Welding Tools, you’ll play a critical role in keeping seven business units running efficiently by sourcing, standardizing, and managing the tools and consumables that drive our projects forward. From evaluating vendor pricing and availability to ensuring consistent, cost-effective tooling across shop and field operations, you’ll partner closely with fabrication, electrical, safety, and operations teams to support safe, high-quality execution. If you bring hands-on knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and welding tools, thrive in a collaborative environment, and take pride in making smart, value-driven purchasing decisions that impact real work on real jobsites, this is your opportunity to make a meaningful impact while growing with an industry leader.
Self. Made. at RK
At RK, Self. Made. isn’t a tagline, it’s how work gets done. People here build more than projects; they build capability, confidence, and careers they can be proud of. With so much work designed and fabricated in-house, ideas move quickly from concept to shop floor to job site. Teams collaborate across disciplines, solve real-world challenges, and grow through hands-on work that truly matters.
RK Company Overview
RK Industries is a second-generation family-owned company led by brothers Rick and Jon Kinning. With seven specialized business units working together, we deliver construction, fabrication, manufacturing, and building services with a focus on safety, quality, and craftsmanship.
People join RK for the craftsmanship, complexity, and the ability to make a real impact. Our in-house capabilities mean employees see their ideas become real solutions, creating meaningful collaboration and clear visibility into how work gets built. Growth happens through challenging projects, mentorship from experienced builders, and opportunities that stretch your skill set.
With RK University, accredited apprenticeships, competitive benefits, and deep community investment, RK offers the stability of a family-owned company with the opportunity and momentum of an industry leader.
Position Summary
The Purchasing Agent – Mechanical, Electrical & Welding Tools is responsible for evaluating competitive vendor pricing, service, and product availability to procure materials and equipment in support of all projects and shop operations. This role procures required tools and consumables in an ethical, value-conscious, timely, and well-organized manner while ensuring consistency, cost control, and availability across the organization.
We are seeking an experienced Purchasing Agent with strong knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and welding tools and consumables to source, standardize, and manage tooling across seven (7) business units. The ideal candidate understands both shop and field tooling requirements and works collaboratively with operations, fabrication, electrical, safety, and tool management teams to support efficient and safe execution of work.
Role Responsibilities
- Execute end-to-end purchasing activities, from requisition through purchase order issuance, to support project schedules and operations timelines.
- Source materials, equipment, rough-in items, services as requested for projects and operations while ensuring compliance with approved vendors and buying agreements.
- Obtain competitive pricing through multiple bids and negotiate cost, lead times, rebates, and purchasing terms to achieve best overall value.
- Collaborate with project teams to align purchases with specifications, budgets, schedules, and job cost codes.
- Coordinate deliveries to job sites, fabrication shops, yards, manufacturing facilities, and tool facilities; track back orders and expedite critical materials as needed.
- Optimize inventory levels by utilizing existing yard stock and supporting the goal of minimal long-term inventory.
- Analyze pricing, usage, and purchasing trends to support cost control and informed sourcing decisions.
- Maintain accurate purchase order, vendor, and item master data within company systems; verify pricing changes and request new part numbers when required.
- Support Accounts Payable with PO-to-invoice validation and resolution of discrepancies.
- Proactively communicate and resolve supply chain risks, shortages, or delivery issues.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Strong knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and welding tools and consumables
- Experience procuring hand tools, power tools, electrical tools, welding equipment, and related consumables
- Experience managing tools across multiple departments or business units
- Experience managing welding consumables including wire, rod, gas, PPE, and accessories
- Experience working with industrial and electrical suppliers (e.g. Grainger, Milwaukee, Greenlee, Ridged, and welding/electrical distributors)
- Experience maintaining, consolidating, and managing part numbers and vendor catalogs
- Ability to read and interpret specifications, drawings, and equipment requirements
- Strong organizational, follow-up, and communication skills
- Strong proficiency in Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, formulas)
- Experience working in purchasing or ERP systems (Vista Viewpoint, IFS exposure helpful)
Primary Career Level:
- Works under general supervision, exercising independent judgment in day-to-day purchasing decisions; consults with supervisor on complex or non-routine matters.
- Receives guidance primarily on overall objectives, priorities, and policy-related issues.
- Acts as a liaison with internal teams and external partners, independently managing matters related to assigned purchasing responsibilities.
- Bachelor’s degree with 3+ years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education, skills, and experience.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to present data in a clear, actionable manner.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities with strong attention to detail.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (e.g., pivot tables, formulas, lookup functions) preferred.
What Sets RK Industries Apart
Safety: Our unmatched culture of safety is our foremost core value, guiding everything we do each day: Health, Safety, & Environmental
Awards: Whether in Construction, Manufacturing, Fabrication, or Service, RK Industries is highly recognized and accredited throughout the industry: Accreditations & Recognition
Benefits: RK Industries offers competitive benefits to support your growth and well-being: Benefits & Rewards
Philanthropy: RK Industries not only builds our community through our projects, but also invests in it by supporting local services for over a decade through the RK Foundation: RK Foundation
Development: Through RK University, we provide hands-on training and development opportunities that empower employees to advance their careers and grow within the company, to include leadership and technical learning opportunities, we well as our accredited apprentice program: RK University & RK Apprenticeship Program
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
RK Industries, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other status protected by applicable law