Purchasing Specialist

At BBH, Partnership is more than a form of ownership—it’s our approach to business and relationships.  We know that supporting your professional and personal goals is the best way to help our clients and advance our business. We take that responsibility seriously. With a 200-year legacy and a shared passion for what’s next, this is the right place to build a fulfilling career.

At Brown Brothers Harriman, we believe no job is too big or small for any of us to handle if it helps our clients. We value passionate, committed people who enjoy collaborating with others to find new solutions to complex business challenges. We are looking for the type of person who speaks their mind, truly listens and steps outside their role to add value wherever they can.  Someone who is driven to get things done and views obstacles as an exciting challenge that demands a creative solution. Above all, we seek someone who takes great pride in their work and is inspired and motivated by their role in protecting and enhancing our client’s financial well-being.

If you are looking for an entrepreneurial environment where you can learn and thrive, Brown Brothers Harriman is the right place for you.

Join us as a Purchasing Specialist

Brown Brothers Harriman is looking for a skilled Purchasing Associate to procure goods and services necessary for our day-to-day business activities. This person will have the means and opportunity to increase our product offering with high-quality purchases while reducing our overall spend with cost-effective options.  The goal is to acquire supplies and services that are critical for the success of our business operations. The ideal candidate will have a keen eye for detail and a commercial mindset. This person should know how to evaluate market conditions and different suppliers. Communication skills are an absolute must and will help negotiate effectively while maintaining mutually beneficial relationships.

Some of your key responsibilities include:  

• Prepares order request by verifying specifications and price while checking for completeness and clarity; diplomatically instructing requesters on what data is necessary to obtain the best product within the timeframe specified.   Obtaining recommendations from suppliers for substitute items (if necessary); ensuring timely approval from requisitioning department. 
• Shops for the best quality sources while maintaining the most cost-effective solution.
• Obtains and analyzes bids in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Prepares purchase orders or other agreements as necessary and check them for accuracy and completeness before issuing.
• Reviews acknowledgements for agreement with purchase orders and resolve any discrepancies with the supplier to the best possible advantage for BBH.
• Follows-up or expedites orders as necessary to meet schedules.
• Verifies receipt of items by comparing items received to items ordered; resolves shipments in error with suppliers
• Authorizes payment for purchases by forwarding receiving documentation
• Manages relationships with key suppliers to maintain quality of goods, timely delivery and compliance to terms of contracts
• Regularly reviews suppliers to ensure quality
• Monitors inventory stock levels, making sure to re-order before supplies are depleted
• Keeps updated vendor records
• Ability to create custom reporting using excel
• Keeps the Purchasing Manager informed of all activities or problems and submits reports as requested by management.
• Follow-up or expedite orders to see that they are delivered as scheduled.
• Resolve discrepancies or negotiate settlements to the best possible long-term advantage of BBH.
• Assist other department personnel to determine the most suitable product or service to meet their needs considering the objectives of the entire organization.  Creativity and value engineering are vital to this role.
• Obtain the best source to meet each department’s objectives, to negotiate the most favorable agreement possible, and to prepare the documentation for that agreement in accordance with all laws and so that the agreement protects BBH’s interest.

Qualifications:

• BS/BA in supply chain management, business administration, or relevant field
• Supply Management, Tracking Budget Expenses, Vendor Relationships, Organization, Customer Service, Documentation Skills, Inventory Methods and Procedures
• Demonstrable experience in negotiating prices and terms and conditions
• Knowledge of market research, data analysis and purchasing best practices
• Working knowledge of MS Office and purchasing software
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, language fluency English, Polish and French
• A strong analytical mindset
• Outstanding organizational skills
• Ability to work with a minimum amount of direction or supervision

About our Company:

For nearly 200 years, Brown Brothers Harriman has provided expertise in Private Banking, Investment Management, and Investor Services. Located throughout 18 offices across the globe, we are committed to helping our clients navigate the increasingly complex global market by being their most valued, trusted and differentiated partner.

The loyalty we earn from our clients comes from two things: the quality of our people and the culture of our firm. That’s why we invest so much time and energy in attracting and developing the very best talent globally. We hire bright, entrepreneurial individuals, educate them on our client’s business, provide them the resources to succeed, and then give them the freedom to excel. This results in a diverse team of individuals who inspire each other to share their unique perspective while working together to discover the next great idea.  Our deep respect for a healthy work-life balance drives our comprehensive total rewards package that helps our employees live their best life, grow personally and professionally, and get rewarded for the results they deliver.

What We Offer:

• 2 additional days added to your holiday calendar for Culture Celebration and Community Service
• Private medical care for you and your family
• Life Insurance
• Hybrid Working Opportunities
• Professional trainings and qualification support
• Thrive Wellbeing Program
• Online benefit platform
• Contracts for an indefinite period of time with no probation period

We value diverse experiences. We value diverse experiences and transferrable skillsets. If your career hasn’t followed a traditional path, includes alternative experiences, or doesn’t meet every qualification or skill listed in the job description, please do go ahead and apply.

About BBH:

Brown Brothers Harriman (BBH) is a premier global financial services firm, known for premium service, specialist expertise, technology solutions and partnership approach to client management. Across Investor Services and Capital Partners, we work with an enviable roster of sophisticated clients who make BBH their first call when they are tackling their hardest challenges. Delivering for our clients and each other energizes us.

We believe that how we do our work is just as important as what we do. We are relentless problem solvers who know our best ideas come from collective debate and development—so we are never possessive about our ideas. Every day we come together as a diverse community of smart and caring people to deliver exceptional service and expert advice—creating success that lasts. No matter where you sit in the organization, everyone is empowered to contribute their ideas. BBHers can pick up the phone and call any colleague, and they are happy to help. Expanding your impact beyond your daily role is part of how we operate as trusted partners to one another. 

We believe stability is a competitive advantage, but being stable means having the knowledge, skill, and discipline to evolve, often—pushing the boundaries of innovation.  As a private partnership, every investment we make is in the relationships, technologies, products and development we believe are in the long-term interests of our clients and our people. Our long-tenured leaders are experts in their areas and are actively involved in the day-to day business, taking the time to provide guidance and mentoring to build the next generation of BBHers. Because we know, our success begins with yours.

Go to BBH.com to learn more about our rewards and benefits, philanthropy, approach to sustainability or how we support you to thrive personally, physically and financially.