Purchasing Agent

Position Summary

The Purchasing Agent directs, coordinates and manages various activities involved with procuring goods and services with a strong emphasis on the development of new projects and technologies. This position will review for accuracy and track the status of requisitions, contracts and orders and identify any areas for cost savings.

Essential Functions

• Ensures Inventory Accuracy: This position monitors inventory through floor observation and cycle counts, determines root cause for variances and analyzes and recommends preventive measures or process changed. Monitor inventory in SAP to ensure raw material are used prior to exceeding shelf life.
• Uniform Vendor Management: Manage vendor relationship and uniform inventory used by Operation’s staff.
• Material Planning: The Purchasing Agent will balance on hand demand and lead times to manage the optimal inventory for raw materials, indirect supplies and other inventory items as designated. Place Purchase Orders to procure raw materials and indirect supplies.
• Packaging & Indirect Materials: This position will place purchase orders for all packaging materials including cartons, bags and pallets. Place Purchase Orders for all indirect materials used in manufacturing process including solvents and oils. Identify demand requirements for packaging and indirect materials based on usage history.

Your Responsibilities

• Compare prices, specifications, and delivery dates in order to determine the best bid among potential suppliers.
• Track the status of requisitions, contracts, and orders.
• Monitor and follow applicable laws and regulations as they apply to the purchase and shipments of goods and materials.
• Review requisition orders in order to verify accuracy, terminology, and specifications.
• Respond to customer and supplier inquiries about order status, changes, or cancellations.
• Contact suppliers in order to schedule or expedite deliveries and to resolve shortages, missed or late deliveries, and other problems.
• Determine if inventory quantities are sufficient for both raw materials and indirect materials,  ordering more materials/parts when necessary.
• Prepare purchase orders and send copies to suppliers and to departments originating requests.
• Calculate costs of orders, and charge or forward invoices to appropriate departments.
• Work with internal staff and vendors to discuss defective or unacceptable goods or services and determine corrective action.
• Identify areas for cost savings.
• Comply with all safety rules and procedures, as well as good housekeeping within the plant, in accordance with SOPs, work instructions, and GMPs.

Your Profile

You are a professional with 3-5 years procurement experience in a high volume purchasing role within a  manufacturing environment. A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience is required. This position will have previous knowledge of warehouse, inventory control policies and procedures and manufacturing machines and equipment. You will also have strong interpersonal and team-building skills as well as effective communication skills (both written and verbal). SAP experience is a strongly preferred.

Physical Requirements

This position requires moving about as much as 50% of the workday in a warehouse, spare parts room and throughout the plant; and the occasional lifting of up to 35 pounds. Frequently the work requires squatting, stooping, bending, crouching. Use of computer involves some repetitive motion. Work is done in both office space and in the plant where safety is a critical concern. Personal protective equipment must be worn where required. VISION: See in the normal visual range with or without correction. HEARING: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.