As a custom part buyer, your work reputation hinges almost entirely on your vendor relationships. Choose the right vendor partners, and your company will thrive. Form the wrong relationships, and you become single-handedly responsible for delayed projects, failed products, and profit-punishing costs.

4 Hallmarks of a Great Part Buyer

On the surface, a part buyer’s job is to procure parts with the fastest lead times and lowest prices. Dig a bit deeper, however, and you’ll see that machined parts sourcing is more complex.

The ultimate role of a custom part buyer is to act as the backbone of their internal team.

Here are four signs that you’re a true part-buying pro:

1. You understand the balance of speed, cost, and quality

No one ever sets out to cut corners in their job, but many part buyers become so obsessed with getting the best prices and lead times that they collaborate with unqualified vendors.

At the outset, your team might be thrilled. But a product’s quality always trumps speed and affordability. No one cares how fast or inexpensive a part is if the quality is unacceptable.

2. You recognize that your vendors determine your value to your organization

To provide top-level support to your internal team, you must—must—choose vendors who meet and exceed your expectations.

No matter how kind, professional, and intelligent you are, your work is ultimately evaluated based on the vendor’s performance. Excellent vendor partners are strong indicators of an excellent part buyer.

3. You build the right industry relationships—in the right way

Great relationships are built on trust—it’s as true professionally as it is personally.

The best custom part buyers know to seek out trustworthy vendors while being trustworthy themselves. The manufacturing industry is smaller than you may realize (especially regionally), and broken trust is like a burned bridge that will hinder your progress for years to come.

If you want consistently competitive rates and fast service, you’ll need to establish trust throughout the industry. In addition to building a powerful online presence, we recommend getting involved with trade associations and trade networking events that are heavily attended by machine shop owners and higher-ups. There, you’ll find countless opportunities to connect with industry professionals eager to do business with you.

4. You know the signs of a high-value vendor

The most valuable partner vendors are those who gladly handle all external processes for you. Precision CNC machining services comprise more than the machining itself. The ideal partners are committed to delivering a comprehensive service experience that includes:

  • Fast response times and quotes provided within 24-48 hours

  • Follow-up communication verifying all the details of your RFQ

  • Regular updates throughout the manufacturing process

An attentive, communicative shop understands how important it is to know the full story behind your part-sourcing needs.

When a shop asks about your part’s certification requirements, mating parts, and final application, you can rest assured that you’ve found a partner who will provide accurate quotes, reliable lead times, and final products that meet every specification—even specs that weren’t on the original print.

One Powerful Partnership That Keeps Buyers Buying

Buy, in neon letters

The job of a custom part buyer can feel lonely—but you don’t have to go it alone.

TAKT delivers custom manufacturing solutions that connect part buyers like you with the nation’s best precision machining and sheet metal fabrication shops. For nearly a decade, we’ve been building a network of expert suppliers who we fully trust.

With TAKT on your team, you’ll gain access to:

  • High-performance job shops with room to grow

  • Expert operators with a gift for solving even the most complex manufacturing problems

  • Engineering insights that help you develop a thorough understanding of the industry and its processes, including GD&T (geometric dimensioning and tolerances), machining lead times, and manufacturing costs

TAKT does whatever it takes

If you’re ready to elevate your buying game and become the backbone your internal team needs, it’s time for you to talk to TAKT. Beyond working on your projects, we embed ourselves into your projects, helping you exceed your goals and establish yourself as a premier part buyer.

From daily updates to 36-hour part turnarounds, we’ve been known to deliver on requests others would deem impossible.

We get it. In your line of work, everything is a priority. What can TAKT take off your desk?

Get in touch today for a zero-cost, encrypted quote.

Published On: December 12, 2022Categories: Uncategorized