What are the responsibilities and job description for the Purchasing Agent position at Olson Kundig?
Olson Kundig is a design practice founded on the ideas that buildings can serve as a bridge between nature, culture and people, and that inspiring surroundings have a positive effect on people’s lives. The firm’s work can be found across the globe, with projects as wide-ranging as huts to high rises, homes—often for art collectors—to academic, cultural and civic projects, museums and exhibition design, places of worship, creative production, urban design, and interior design.
Currently, we are seeking a Purchasing Agent to join the Interiors Purchasing team and help contribute to the overall excellence of work produced by Olson Kundig.
Position Description:
The Purchasing Agent is responsible for the administration of the purchasing order process from start to finish, ensuring accurate results through productive and pro-active communication with all team members involved. To succeed in this role, one should have a strong comprehensive understanding of the purchasing process, effective and productive communication skills with a strong sense of customer service and positive conflict resolution mindset. This role will collaborate with internal teams to deliver exceptional results within specified deadlines.
Primary Responsibilities:
Purchase Ordering Process:
Currently, we are seeking a Purchasing Agent to join the Interiors Purchasing team and help contribute to the overall excellence of work produced by Olson Kundig.
Position Description:
The Purchasing Agent is responsible for the administration of the purchasing order process from start to finish, ensuring accurate results through productive and pro-active communication with all team members involved. To succeed in this role, one should have a strong comprehensive understanding of the purchasing process, effective and productive communication skills with a strong sense of customer service and positive conflict resolution mindset. This role will collaborate with internal teams to deliver exceptional results within specified deadlines.
Primary Responsibilities:
Purchase Ordering Process:
- Generate, review, and edit Purchase Orders according to design intent
- Gather relevant information from Designers to ensure the Purchase Order adheres to the design intent stated, if not already supplied by Designer
- Generate Purchase Order through QuickBooks and Studio Designer
- Coordinate with Purchasing Manager & the Accounting team to ensure accurate and timely payment, particularly of international vendors
- Process ACH and Wire Transfer payments
- Facilitate CFA and DFA review process between designer and vendor
- Monitor order status through the budget and Studio Designer
- Pull required reports through Studio Designer as needed
- Manage and file banking records, AP, and client invoices
- Archive previous years’ filings, as well as any closed project documentation
- Assist with shipping paperwork and work with Customs Broker for foreign shipments
- Arrange shipment, insurance, condition reports related to purchase of vintage & antiques
- Alert designers of shipping status and coordinate repairs if needed
- Coordinate repair of damage goods or replacement of goods not meeting specifications
- Source new vendors as needed
- Monitor and expedite orders to meet installation deadlines
- Reserve dates with warehouse and provide installation details
- Coordinate installation of finished goods with designers and clients
- Research, coordinate, and execute installations in international and remote regions
- Obtain building information and drawings from architect
- Obtain site information and images from contractor
- Coordinate with designer on install length and furniture delivery order
- Be available during installation to answer questions and emails
- Follow up on outstanding issues post-installation, re-order if necessary, coordinate pick-ups, deliveries, and monitor status of follow-up items.
- Receive client deposits and final payments
- Provide estimated completion dates of items ordered to designers and clients
- Compose and maintain purchasing schedules for large projects
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain or Business Management, a closely related field, or a similar role equivalent work experience
- Minimum of 3 to 5 years of experience in Interior Design Procurement; or closely related role
- Basic proficiency in understanding of contract structure, terms, and conditions
- Experience in the Interior Design/Architecture/Construction industry, preferred
- Excellent time management skills, efficient with multiple-tasks and able to work on multiple projects simultaneously
- Ability to coordinate between various project teams and vendors in different time zones simultaneously
- Advanced ability to work in MS Office Suite, Excel proficient
- Intermediate knowledge of QuickBooks
- Intermediate knowledge of Studio Designer
What can you expect from us?
- A creative work environment and colleagues who are collaborative, creative, and challenging
- Opportunity to grow professionally with excellent projects
- Check our culture page to learn about life at Olson Kundig
In addition to a dynamic and creative culture, Olson Kundig provides a generous benefits package that includes 16 days of paid time off, paid holidays, health plan, 401k match, bonuses, profit-sharing plans for qualified positions, a monthly travel subsidy for public transportation, and more.
As a firm, we are committed to pay practices that are fair, competitive, and reflect internal pay equity. At the time of posting this job, the hiring range for this position in Seattle is between $68,000 and $74,000 annually. Final salary decisions are made based upon the extent and relatedness of the candidate’s education and experience and considering internal equity and external market factors.
All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship and must already possess long-term work authorization.
Salary : $68,000 - $74,000
