Procurement Specialist

Position Summary:

Customer service-oriented Procurement Specialist will procure quality goods cost-effectively, maintaining budgets and satisfying internal clients. Ensures that materials are delivered on time and to schedule and within the Company guidelines. Responsible for reviewing purchasing requests, tracking down suitable products or services, vetting vendors, identifying and negotiating costs, and presenting recommendations to Management, and is involved in inventory management.

Reports to:

This position reports directly to the Warehouse Manager.

Minimum Requirements:

• High school diploma/GED required.
• 2+ years of experience as a purchasing specialist or in a similar role.
• Bachelor's degree in business administration, supply chain management, or a similar field preferred.
• CPM or APICS certification preferred.
• Experience working with ERP software (JDE or SAP or other).
• Working knowledge of Supply Chain and Inventory Management systems.
• Good working knowledge of purchasing strategies.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills.
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Lift objects weighting up to 40 lbs.
• May be subjected to extreme heat and cold for extended periods of time.
• Must have a clean driving record.

Responsibilities:

• Support the Company’s strategic plan by partnering with other departments to determine their needs and requirements and get them the products or services they need to execute their plans.
• Assure timely procurement of needed goods and negotiate equitable pricing.
• Develop and maintain a strong working relationship with new and existing key suppliers.
• Review open orders and initiate action as relative to changes in demand and inventory position.
• Update inventory and ensure that stock levels are kept at appropriate levels.
• Maintain electronic records and approvals related to purchase order processing: maintain detailed, accurate records of transactions.
• Handle administrative functions related to entry of purchase orders.
• Identify and develop opportunities for cost reduction, utilizing alternative sourcing, negotiation, and supplier consolidation.
• Takes direction well and follows through on projects and objectives in a thorough, complete, and timely manner.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, identify, and address problems, and meet deadlines.
• Provide adequate information to ensure the accurate receiving of goods.
• Work with Warehouse department to verify that orders arrive properly and undamaged.
• Work with departments to understand future material requirements for new products and proactively ensure that materials arrive on time.
• Provide support to resolve supply issues including expedited deliveries, payable and rejected material matters.
• Escalate complex issues to Warehouse Manager for resolution.
• Conduct periodic review of vendors’ performances and advise Warehouse Manager or Director of any performance deficiencies.
• Adhere to of all company policies and comply with them in an ethical manner.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Essential Characteristics:

• Results and success-oriented mentality, conveying a sense of urgency and driving initiatives to close.
• Excellent vendor and internal client relations.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills.