Purchasing Specialist at Summit Companies in Mendota Heights, MN

JOB SUMMARY:

The Purchasing Specialist supports the day-to-day procurement of materials, equipment, and services to meet project and inventory needs. The Specialist will process transactions, coordinate with vendors and internal customers, and gain exposure to ERP and CRM systems used within the fire and life safety industry.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:

• Review purchase requests and create accurate purchase orders in accordance with company policies.
• Communicate with vendors to confirm pricing, lead times, and acknowledgments.
• Monitor order status and provide delivery updates to internal stakeholders.
• Assist with basic RFQ processes under the direction of more senior team members.
• Help maintain appropriate stock levels by ordering inventory items as needed.
• Participate in periodic inventory counts and reconciling discrepancies.
• Use ERP and CRM systems (e.g., Sage, Salesforce Lightning) to manage purchasing transactions and documentation.
• Collaborate with Warehouse, Accounts Payable, and Field Operations to support job requirements and resolve issues.
• Escalate complex issues or vendor performance concerns to the Purchasing Agent or Lead.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

The qualifications listed below are representative of the elements required to perform the job successfully, however in some cases, an equivalent combination of Education, Training, Certifications and Experience may meet the job qualifications.

Education, Training, Certifications:

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Associate’s degree or some college coursework in Business, Supply Chain, or related field, preferred.

Experience, Knowledge, Skill Requirements:

• 1–2 years of purchasing or procurement experience, strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting field service, construction, MRO, or distribution environments, preferred.
• Exposure to ERP or purchasing systems, strongly preferred.

Communication Skills:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to explain procedures, resolve issues, and coordinate cross-functionally without formal authority.

Systems and Software Skills:

• Basic proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and Oracle Fusion.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in data entry and documentation.
• Good communication and organizational skills.
• Willingness to learn industry-specific materials, vendor programs, and terminology.

Other Qualifications:

• Valid driver’s license with acceptable driving record required.
• Must be able to comply with Summit’s Drug and Alcohol Policy and Background screening requirements, which may also include customer specific requirements based on contractual agreements.

PHYSICAL & WORK ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform Essential Job Duties.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit and stand for long periods. Employee will occasionally be required to drive, bend, kneel, balance, lift <20lb, walk, stand, ascend/descend stairs, reach above and below shoulders, stoop, and twist.

Work Environment:

Employee will consistently be required to work indoors in an office or remote setting, sit or stand for extended periods of time, and work alone and with others. The employee will be occasionally required to travel.

We are fully committed to equal opportunities for employment to all individuals regardless of race, national origin, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability, familial status, and any other classification protected under the law. We are an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer.

While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position, management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary.

About the Company

Are you interested in working for the nation’s leading fire protection company and beginning a rewarding and satisfying career that helps save the lives of thousands each year? Do you want to be a part of a growing and expanding team of industry experts? If so, exploring career opportunities with Summit Companies may be right for you!

Summit Companies, through its subsidiaries, is a full-service provider for fire detection, suppression, and security with a full suite of capabilities that includes design, installation, testing, inspections, and maintenance. We serve customers across many verticals on a local, regional, and national scale. We’re proud of our well-deserved reputation for quality work that’s completed by our talented and experienced installation workforce. Summit Companies is a dynamic organization with endless growth opportunities spanning over 100 locations in more than 30 states.

Our company is consistently recognized for service excellence in the fire protection industry. Summit Companies supports trade skills and workforce development by hosting Recognized Apprenticeships and on-the-job training (OJT) programs for new career-seekers. Many members of our leadership team serve as chair on NFPA code compliance committees, serve on regional safety boards, and support technical education in local schools. Summit Companies supports employees in their professional development by offering continued development, training, and education by encouraging NICET and other career-advancing certifications. We continually strive to be the Employer of Choice for highly motivated team members who want to succeed in a high-growth environment. We encourage initiative, independence, diversity, and personal career growth.

The combination of experience, knowledge, and customer service is the key to our performance and helps us achieve our goal of providing the highest quality of fire protection services to protect lives and property.

Benefits

Summit Companies offers extensive training opportunities, career advancement, competitive pay, bonus opportunities, along with an industry leading and affordable benefits package for eligible employees. Our benefits package includes:

• Paid Vacation and Holidays
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• 401(k) Plan with Company Match
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Long-Term Disability – Employer Paid
• Short-Term Disability – Employer Paid
• Additional Voluntary Ancillary Benefits such as Accident and Hospital Indemnity
• Life Insurance for Team Members and Dependents
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Referral Program

Our Core Values

PIPE

• We are PASSIONATE about life safety
• We have INTEGRITY (Do the right thing)
• We work in PARTNERSHIP with our customers and community
• We constantly strive for OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE (Do things right)

Summit Companies participates in E-Verify & in alignment with our commitment to safety, we promote a drug-free workplace. Summit Companies is an equal-opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with a disability.