Jobs and Careers

Domestic Wood Products Purchasing Assistant and Trainee

White Marsh, United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 14 May 2026

About the role

J. Gibson McIlvain Company has been providing high quality wood products since 1798 and is a trusted and well-known name and hardwood authority in the lumber business. As the Importer of Record, Lumber yard, and Architectural Millwork House we have total quality control throughout the entire supply chain from the forest anywhere in the world all the way to your job site. With centuries of experience, we are a powerful supplier of both domestic and imported, exotic hardwood lumber such as Teak, Sapele, Genuine Mahogany, Black Walnut, and Ipe. J. Gibson McIlvain is more than just materials and with our comprehensive architectural millwork facility, we offer custom millwork services from interior trim and cabinetry to exterior siding, pergolas, and furniture.
Summary/Objective:
The Domestic Wood Products Purchasing Assistant and Trainee is a vital team member responsible for supporting the Domestic Wood Products Purchasing Manager in ensuring supply continuity and driving total business value. This role manages key administrative tasks for the domestic wood purchasing program, assists in securing assigned inventory, and maintains optimal stock levels. A critical component of the position is collaborating with internal stakeholders to provide updates on market trends and pricing. The ideal candidate will possess a genuine curiosity for the wood products industry, proficiency in Microsoft Office, and the ability to manage complex data across systems like LumberTrack and Excel to support Accounts Payable and Purchasing operations.

Key Responsibilities:

Inventory & Purchasing Support: Assist the Purchasing Manager in maintaining a large-scale lumber inventory. Execute purchases for assigned buyer areas to ensure seamless operational support.
Data Management & Analysis: Perform detailed analysis of procurement data, including spend categories, supplier performance, and purchase orders. Maintain accurate contracts, databases, and source lists.
Administrative Oversight: Establish and track purchase information within LumberTrack and Excel spreadsheets for financial and procurement reporting.
Procurement Strategy: Support bidding, sourcing, and negotiation processes. Assist in making procurement commitments and maintaining detailed records of all transactions.
Process Improvement: Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities within the "procure-to-pay" process and other assigned buy spaces.
Quality & Collaboration: Actively partner with the Production team to evaluate the quality of purchased wood products. Coordinate across departments to manage logistics and material ordering.
Relationship Building: Visit domestic sawmills quarterly to build and maintain strong supplier relationships.
Professional Engagement: Represent the company as an ambassador to the sawmill and business community. Stay active in relevant industry associations and working groups to monitor market developments.

Requirements:

Education: BS Degree in Business, Economics, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
Technical Skills: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (specifically Excel for data analysis and reporting) and experience with specialized software like LumberTrack.
Analytical Ability: Demonstrated skills in statistics and report writing to interpret complex spend and market data.
Personal Attributes: A strong interest in the wood products industry, a sense of urgency, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
Travel: Willingness to travel quarterly to domestic sawmills.