Meet the Team: Spotlight on Wilkinson's Purchasing Department

We're excited to present another department in our Meet the Team series. In this edition, we’re shining a spotlight on the Purchasing department. Get to know the people behind the scenes, learn about their roles and discover what makes their department unique.

Get to know Purchasing Manager, Dave Casoli

Can you introduce yourself and describe your role in the department? I am the Purchasing Manager and lead an outstanding team of six associates.

How long have you been with the company? I will be with the company 29 years this upcoming March.

What attracted you to work in this field? I grew up working in the HVAC field with my Dad who owned a small mechanical company. I enjoyed learning how things worked and what it took to maintain and repair them.

Top Row: Dave Casoli, Purchasing Manager; Drew B., Purchasing Assistant; Maria M., Purchaser; Don L., Purchaser; Bottom Row: Kathleen D., Purchasing Assistant; Dan P., Shipper/Receiver; Michael R., Parts Driver

Department Details

What are the main responsibilities of your department? We purchase equipment, materials, supplies, tools and take care of property maintenance. We also purchase and maintain the company’s fleet of vehicles. Additionally, we oversee inventory, material returns, product warranties, equipment part sales and the quoting and sales of burners.

Can you describe a typical day in your department? We start at 6:15 in the morning to set up the day. We manage incoming deliveries, place materials orders with vendors, fill requisitions while answering many questions from our office and field associates. There is aways some type of urgent request so we push these to the top of our list. Planning and organizing are done on a daily basis at many different levels. Our action-packed day ends at 4:00 in the afternoon.

What projects or tasks is your department currently focused on? We are preparing our master inventory list for a software upgrade next year. A delivery of new vehicles will be arriving soon and these will need to be outfitted prior to assigning them to our field associates.

How does your department contribute to the overall success of the company? We focus on purchasing the correct items at a good price and at the right time. Our efficiency and attention to detail contributes to our fellow associates excelling at what they do so well.

What are some challenges your department faces, and how do you overcome them? Supply chain shortages and long lead times on materials are the greatest challenges. We overcome these challenges by developing vendor relationships and by forecasting which items are needed for our future projects.

Get to know the team!

What do you enjoy most about your job?

The variety - both in terms of the people I work with and the job itself. Working for a smaller company means you get to work closely with pretty much everyone. The Purchasing department, being the source of the supply chain, works hand-in-hand with the Service department. There is also cross-over with other departments like Accounting, Sales, and Warehouse Logistics. - Maria M.

Learning about the many aspects and fields that make up our business (installation, service, electrical work, pipe fitting, plumbing, quoting, sales, equipment, etc.) - Drew B.

Can you share a memorable experience or achievement during your time here? 

There was a technician on a job in Boston who needed an urgent delivery, but the order was incorrect. A new order was placed but it was in Rockland. I was able to get those materials back to Boston to the technician while finishing my tasks for the day in a very quick amount of time and was acknowledged for the help I was providing the team. - Michael R.

What skills or qualities are essential for success in your department?

Communication and organization. Getting the necessary components to the correct job site when the techs need it is essential. With all the moving parts in between, it takes attention to detail while also keeping the big picture in mind. - Dan P.

How do you stay motivated and inspired in your role?

I stay motivated and inspired in my role by having a supportive work environment, maintaining a positive mindset and attitude, and reflecting on my accomplishments. I also clear out any distractions and take time to think. - Kathleen D.