SUMMARY:

Purchases materials, supplies, equipment and services by developing, soliciting, and analyzing supplier quotations and coordinates activities with other departments to assure proper delivery, quality, reliability, and low-cost consistency. Locates new sources of supply, and coordinates order maintenance with existing suppliers. Resolves conflicts that arise with supplier delivery schedules or purchase orders.

ESSENTIAL ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Purchases materials, supplies, equipment and services by developing, soliciting, and analyzing supplier quotations.
• Coordinates activities with other departments to assure proper delivery, quality, reliability, and low-cost consistency. 
• Documents and maintains necessary records and files. May work with agents and customs brokers for overseas material buying.
• Locates new sources of supply, establishes new suppliers and coordinates order maintenance with existing suppliers. Selects and/or recommends suppliers with who orders will be placed. Develops and maintains relationships with suppliers.
• Resolves conflicts that arise with supplier delivery schedules, raw materials, inventory, etc. working with Production Inventory Control (PIC) personnel and other areas to resolve escalated conflicts. Assumes ultimate responsibility to ensure suppliers deliver quality product on time.
• Develops and/or assists in developing strategies and solutions to continuously improve cost levels, stable sources of supply, high quality of commodities and other governing factors related to the Purchasing Department and adjacent areas. 
• Participates in continuous improvement activities that may include developing programs to improve supplier performance. Tracks supplier performance and works with suppliers to continuously improve quality, delivery, cost, productivity and support.
• Develops cost database detailing all material, labor, and overhead costs of purchased products and services.
• Works with necessary departments to minimize costs and maximize efficiency of purchasing function.
• Studies market trends and systems technology related to job.
• Researches and recommends new product developments.
• Timely execution of processing approved purchase requests into purchase orders and transmitting purchase orders to suppliers.
• Resolve discrepancies between invoices and purchase orders when needed.
• Transmit MRO orders in MRP system and send to suppliers.
• Maintain Supplier Performance Rating System in MRP system. Process scorecard on a monthly basis and input feedback from quarterly commodity strategy meetings.
• Quote MRO items / analyze quotes based on pricing, value, and timing.
• Negotiate pricing and payment terms with suppliers.
• Develops cost database detailing all material, labor, overhead costs of purchased products and services.
• Performs other duties as necessary in support of business objectives.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree in business or related field including purchasing and / or materials experience.
• Knowledge of purchasing concepts, practices, and procedures related to buying and demonstrated ability to purchase materials/equipment/services, in substantial quantities is required.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to communicate with internal and external contacts at all levels including experience developing suppliers.
• Excellent organizational skills in order to establish priorities identify and set goals, and able to meet deadlines.