The Outside Services Purchasing Coordinator is responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and managing subcontracted manufacturing services that support production operations. This role ensures cost-effective, high-quality, and on-time delivery of outsourced processes such as finishing, coating, heat treating, machining, and specialized fabrication across both plastic and metal components.

This position plays a critical role in maintaining production flow, optimizing supplier performance, and protecting margin in a high-mix, low-to-medium volume job shop environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Supplier Sourcing & Management

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  Identify, qualify, and onboard suppliers for outside services (e.g., anodizing, powder coating, plating, heat treating, laser cutting, CNC overflow, injection molding support).

  
  


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  Develop and maintain a strong, reliable supplier network with redundancy in key processes.

  
  


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  Conduct regular supplier performance reviews (quality, delivery, cost competitiveness).

  
  

Purchasing & Cost Control

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  Solicit and evaluate quotes for outside services; negotiate pricing, lead times, and terms.

  
  


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  Issue and manage purchase orders for subcontracted work.

  
  


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  Drive cost reduction initiatives through vendor consolidation, negotiation, and process optimization.

  
  


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  Monitor market pricing trends for key processes and materials.

  
  

Production Coordination

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  Work closely with production planning, engineering, and sales teams to align outsourcing decisions with delivery commitments.

  
  


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  Ensure timely movement of parts to and from outside vendors.

  
  


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  Expedite critical orders and resolve supply chain disruptions proactively.

  
  

Quality & Compliance

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  Partner with Quality to ensure suppliers meet specifications and standards.

  
  


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  Address non-conformance issues, including root cause analysis and corrective actions.

  
  


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  Ensure compliance with customer requirements, certifications, and industry standards.

  
  

Process Optimization

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  Evaluate make vs. buy decisions based on capacity, cost, and strategic priorities.

  
  


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  Identify opportunities to bring processes in-house or outsource more efficiently.

  
  


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  Improve workflows related to outside processing (tracking, communication, logistics).

  
  

Data & Systems Management

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  Maintain accurate records in ERP/MRP systems (pricing, lead times, supplier data).

  
  


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  Track KPIs such as on-time delivery, cost savings, supplier quality, and turnaround times.

  
  


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  Generate reports to support operations and executive decision-making.