Purchasing Agent

Background

• To purchase materials, supplies, maintenance parts and service for the company in an efficient and economical manner following established policies and procedures in processing purchase orders
• Research and evaluate suppliers based on price, quality, selection, services, support, availability, production and distribution capabilities and suppliers reputation and history

Tasks

• Follows firm's policies and procedures for the purchase of goods and services, work with Plant Manager to establish policies as needed.
• Receives purchase requests from all departments
• Maintains master list by department verifying, comparing and recommending alternatives
• Verifies purchase requisitions by comparing items requested to master list; clarifying unclear items; recommending alternatives
• Negotiates cash discounts, volume purchasing discounts, and OEM pricing, etc.
• Selects vendors on the basis of price, capability, and past performance following departmental guidelines
• Makes certain that purchasing documents are completed properly and the terms and conditions of purchase are appropriate.
• Keeps accurate records, including price histories and any problems in doing business with particular vendors.
• Works closely with managers scheduling production to maintain a "just-in-time" level of inventory.
• Obtains requirements by verifying, preparing, and forwarding purchase orders; verifies receipt of items; authorizes payment.
• Purchase the highest quality merchandise at the lowest possible price and in correct amounts.
• Prepare purchase orders, solicit bid proposals and review requisitions for goods and services.
• Conduct competitive bids.  Negotiate, or renegotiate, and administer contracts with suppliers, vendors, and other representatives.
• Evaluate or monitor contract performance and ensure compliance with contractual obligations
• Develop a process on ordering raw materials, including but not limited to quality, quantity and frequency of orders to maintain required production levels.
• Visually monitor daily raw material inventories assuring adequate supplies.
• Audit suppliers and vendors
• Monitor closely shipping charges and vendors.  Negotiate bulk pricing. 

Specifications

• Bachelor's degree and three years of purchasing experience or an associate's degree with five years of purchasing experience, preferably in manufacturing environment
• Ability to work independently and also as a team member.
• Strong attention to detail required
• Math and analytical skills
• Strong communication skills, written and oral
• Good PC skills, Excel, Word and Outlook
• Knowledge of:
• Authorizes payment for purchases by forwarding receiving documentation.
• Keeps information accessible by sorting and filing documents.
• Provides purchasing planning and control information by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing data and trends.
• Skill in:
• Verifies purchase requisitions by comparing items requested to master list; clarifying unclear items; recommending alternatives.
• Monitors available inventory items by verifying stock; scheduling delivery.
• Prepares purchase orders by verifying specifications and price; obtaining recommendations from suppliers for substitute items; obtaining approval from requisitioning department.
• Ability to:
• Research and evaluate suppliers based on price, quality, selection, service, support, availability, reliability, production and distribution capabilities, and the supplier's reputation and history.
• Accomplishes purchasing and organization mission by completing related results as needed.
• Obtains purchased items by forwarding orders to suppliers; monitoring and expediting orders.
• Develops procedure for receipt of goods, verification receipt of items
• Resolves shipments in error with suppliers.

FLSA

• Exempt

Current Openings for Purchasing Agent Jobs at Jost Chemical Co.