Purchasing Specialist - Buyer

Description

Company Background

Alta Forest Products in partnership with Itochu Building Products is the world's largest producer of wood fence boards, specializing in Western Red Cedar and other premium species found in the Pacific and Inland Northwest forests. In addition to producing fence boards and pallet stock lumber, Alta's zero-wood-waste sawmills produce by-products such as wood chips, sawdust, mulch, and biofuel.

Headquartered in centrally located Chehalis, Washington, Alta operates in multiple Northwest rural communities including Morton, WA; Winlock, WA; Shelton, WA; Amanda Park, WA; Lewiston ID; Bonners Ferry, ID; and Naples, ID. 

The Role

 The Purchasing Specialist plays a key role in managing procurement activities to ensure the timely and cost-effective acquisition of materials, supplies, and services. This role requires excellent organizational skills, strong vendor management abilities, and a keen eye for detail to support daily purchasing operations, vendor compliance, and capital projects. The Purchasing Specialist collaborates closely with vendors, Accounting, and internal teams to streamline purchasing workflows, maintain accurate data, and resolve procurement-related issues.

Responsibilities

•   The Purchasing Specialist is responsible for managing purchase orders from start to finish, including processing requisitions, converting them into POs, sending them to vendors, and confirming delivery timelines. The specialist ensures that all orders are accurate and aligned with operational needs while maintaining proactive communication with vendors to address delays or issues.
• This role oversees the RFQ (Request for Quote) process, soliciting bids from suppliers, analyzing quotes for cost-effectiveness and reliability, and documenting vendor selection. Additionally, the specialist supports vendor setup and compliance by ensuring all documentation, such as W-9 forms and insurance, is complete and up-to-date before issuing POs.
• The Purchasing Specialist also collaborates with the capital projects team, managing procurement aspects to keep projects on track and under budget. They maintain accurate project data and provide updates to stakeholders.
• Another core responsibility involves managing vendor relationships, including Vendor-Managed Inventory (VMI) programs, monitoring vendor performance, and addressing discrepancies. This role also includes resolving invoice issues, ensuring alignment between purchase orders and invoices, and collaborating with Accounting to address discrepancies.
• Data management is a key focus, with the Purchasing Specialist responsible for maintaining accurate vendor and purchasing records, auditing for data integrity, and ensuring compliance with company standards. The specialist also conducts supplier evaluations, spend analyses, and contract reviews on a monthly basis to identify cost-saving opportunities, improve supplier performance, and ensure alignment with business goals.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field (preferred); equivalent experience accepted.
• 5 years of experience in procurement or purchasing roles, preferably in manufacturing or industrial settings.
• Proficiency in procurement systems and data management tools, with strong Microsoft Office skills.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Knowledge of procurement best practices, supplier compliance, and contract management.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment. 

Work Environment & Physical Demands

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is typically working in an interior office environment, however, may occasionally be exposed to work near moving mechanical parts and dirty industrial environments. Noise levels may vary depending on the current work area. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus. 

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

Position Type/Travel/Schedule

This is a full-time position (40 Hours), and overtime work may be required as projects or job duties demand. Typical schedule is Monday – Friday.

Benefits & Pay

• Pay: $24.50 - $38.45 per hour (starting wage dependent on qualifications and experience)
• Semi-Annual Bonus Program 
• Flexible Work Schedule 
• Employee Assistance Program
• Generous Medical / Dental / Vision Insurance Plans for employees and their families
• Employer paid Employee and Family Life Insurance
• Paid time off includes; Vacation, Holiday & Sick Leave
• Employee Referral Program
• 401k Retirement w/ company matching up to 4.5%
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Short Term & Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Supplemental Insurance Options, Additional Life, Pet, Illness, and Accident Insurance

Alta Forest Products is an equal opportunity employer. It considers all applicants regardless of race, color, national origin, religion or creed, gender, disability, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

Small company, big opportunity! Growing & investing in employees and mills, Alta aims to be an industry leader in product quality and employee experience.

Salary : $25 - $38