Purchasing Specialist

Position Summary:

Procures goods and services such as manufactured parts, raw materials, equipment, tools, parts, and supplies for the organization by performing the following duties.

Essential Functions:

• Manages price negotiations based on historical and current market trends while maintaining corporate objectives related to cost, quality and delivery demands.
• Reviews inventory records or warehouse to determine if material on hand is sufficient to meet demand.
• Consults product catalogs and interviews suppliers to obtain prices and specifications.
• Determines method of procurement such as direct purchase or bid.
• Prepares purchase orders or bid requests.
• Reviews bid proposals and negotiates contracts within budgetary limitations and scope of authority.
• Maintains procurement records of items or services purchased costs, delivery, product quality or performance, and inventories.
• Communicates with suppliers concerning late deliveries and expedites delivery of goods as needed.
• Coordinates services with outside vendors to provide additional processes such as labor, plating, coating, polishing etc.
• Works closely with the Quality (QC) department to process rejections and settle claims.
• Maintains quality tracking spreadsheet.
• Address and resolves supply or pricing disputes with vendors as needed while maintaining corporate objectives.
• Complete third-party contracts with suppliers as required to ensure that key elements of supply (delivery, penalty, post-delivery support etc.) are agreed upon by all parties.

Typical commodities purchased:

Electrical components including wire, fuses

Machined parts - stainless steel, aluminum, resins etc.

Mechanical components - motors, gear boxes, cylinders etc.

Functional or 3rd party equipment items purchased as complete units and incorporated into our machines

Sheet metal enclosures, boxes etc.

Capital expenses machinery, building alterations.

Office supplies and requirements for operational purposes.

Outside labor and services.

Minimum Requirements:

• Minimum of 5 years experience in a manufacturing environment
• Minimum of 5 years experience with setting and maintaining stocking levels
• Minimum of 5 years experience in a customer service order fulfillment environment
• ERP/ MRP experience required

Competencies:

• Experience in a manufacturing environment or experience with manufacturing terms/processes
• Aptitude and desire to grow/develop the role into a more manufacturing-based purchasing role
• Technical or mechanical background
• Experience working with parts and assembly drawings
• Effective communication skills, both verbal and written, including ability to communicate effectively to the intended audience.
• MS Office skills
• Problem Solving: Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Interpersonal Skills: Ability to lead change, with enthusiasm and a positive approach; Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming, complaining or making excuses; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.
• Business Acumen: Understands business implications of decisions; Displays orientation to profitability and works within budgets.
• Self-Management: Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; Displays willingness to make decisions while exhibiting sound judgment and reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions. Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; Develops realistic action plans.
• Professionalism: Approaches others in a tactful/respectful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Follows through on commitments.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.

Travel Requirements

• Minimal travel vendor sites