R-0232 Purchasing Technician-Alabama Industries for the Blind

R-0232 Reference#21807045352

Posting Date: July 1,2025

Candidates who are Blind or Visually Impaired and/or Deaf or Hard of Hearing are encouraged to apply for this position and may be given preference in hiring as federal laws permit. Information related to disability is not required and, if disclosed voluntarily, will be used only in AIDB’s efforts to create opportunities for individuals with exceptionalities. Non-disclosure will not subject any applicant to adverse treatment.

Position: Purchasing Technician

Talladega, Alabama

Alabama Industries for the Blind

ABOUT ALABAMA INSTITUTE FOR DEAF AND BLIND (AIDB)

Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB) is the world’s most comprehensive education, rehabilitation, and service program serving individuals of all ages who are Deaf, Blind, DeafBlind, and multidisabled and their families. Founded in 1858, AIDB serves more than 32,000 infants, toddlers, children, adults, and seniors with hearing and vision loss throughout Alabama each year.

Our services literally span a lifetime including five campuses in Talladega, ten regional centers located throughout the State of Alabama with programs that range from early and senior intervention, traditional and nontraditional education services in residential and outreach settings, and a manufacturing facility that is the state’s largest employer of adults who are Deaf, Blind, or DeafBlind. Our employees are among the organization’s most valuable assets and resources. We share compassion for leveling the playing field for all. Our mission makes AIDB a unique place to work.

The Alabama Industries for the Blind (AIB) is one component of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB). AIB includes the manufacturing facility in Talladega, Alabama and Birmingham, Alabama along with the operations of five Base Supply Centers in two states, which are located on Redstone Arsenal, Fort Rucker, Anniston Army Depot, Robins Air Force Base and Moody Air Force Base.

Alabama Industries for the Blind (AIB) partners with the National Industries for the Blind and The AbilityOne Program. The AbilityOne Program exists to create and enhance employment opportunities for individuals that are blind and/or have significant disabilities as it promotes a workplace that provides reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job equal to those employees without disabilities. A reasonable accommodation will be provided to employees with disabilities, unless doing so would cause undue hardship.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Purchasing Technician role will be responsible for processing sales orders for Alabama Industries for the Blind (AIB).

ABOUT YOU

You will play a vital role in the Sales and Marketing Department as you will be a part of the AIDB team in producing high-quality work. This position reports to the Sales and Marketing Manager.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

· High School Diploma or GED or three (3) years of work experience in a commercial textile manufacturing environment.

· Minimum one (1) year of work experience in purchasing experience as it relates to customer service and/or retail operations with general office experience or training.

· Must possess computer skills in MS Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, and Word) and Google Suite.

· Minimum one (1) year work experience utilizing basic computer skills of internet navigation, email, electronic file management, and basic software applications.

· May be required to possess a REAL ID-compliant, STAR ID, or valid U.S. Passport to access the Base Supply Centers.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

· Minimum one (1) year of experience working with individuals that are Deaf, Blind, DeafBlind, multidisabled or has another significant disability.

· Minimum of one (1) year of work experience demonstrating knowledge and proficiency with Adobe Suites (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign).

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

· Must follow AIDB policies and procedures.

· Must understand, support, and follow the mission of the AbilityOne Program by remaining in compliance of statutory and regulatory requirements set forth in the Javits-Wagner-O’Day Act. You are expected to conduct all business ethically and lawfully.

· Attend conferences, in-service training, and other functions as directed by the supervisor.

· Must possess general knowledge of office equipment and machines.

· Must follow the AIDB policies or procedures related to the operations of purchases. This includes purchasing materials, supplies, items for resale, equipment, and other such goods and services.

· Attend training on inventory control computer applications and become efficient in maintaining a database of purchased material and providing information to customers and co-workers.

· Maintain high organizational and time management skills and have the ability to handle sensitive or confidential information in a timely, professional manner.

· Perform duties in an effective manner while increasing the efficient flow of materials and maintaining contributions to a team environment.

· Demonstrate a good attendance record. May be required to work overtime to meet on-time delivery schedules or customer demands.

· Demonstrate good communication skills.

· Must be able to perform your responsibilities that sets a good example for others to follow.

· Must be able to deal pleasantly and courteously with all of the AIDB Team.

· Must be able to follow instructions and deal with changes in the work assignments.

· Must comply with all safety requirements.

· Work independently with minimum direct supervision.

· Maintain a safe and clean work environment. Keep workstation clean and neat at all times.

· Must possess or develop an understanding of cultures and needs of persons who are deaf, blind or deaf/blind, ensuring all actions and decisions demonstrate a respect for and value of persons with sensory loss.

· Must attend Disability Sensitivity Training within the first six (6) months of employment.

· Upon offer of employment, the applicant must submit to a fingerprint background check at an agency designated and paid by AIDB.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

· Develop in-depth knowledge of the products manufactured by Alabama Industries for the Blind.

· Support the AIB State Use Law Program by providing quotes, sale and/or purchase materials and items for resale along with such goods and services.

· Serve as the initial point of contact for customer inquiries by responding professionally for quotes and sales orders.

· Negotiate vendor warehousing, reductions, and other cost-saving measures in order to competitively quote products to customers.

· Develop and maintain a database of vendors to include price quotations, dates, quantities, and price schedules of items purchased.

· Develop and maintain a database of purchased material and provide information to customers.

· Read and interpret contracts and agreements, particularly government contracts, orders, modifications, exceptions, amendments, waivers, and summaries. Prepare to order materials as defined.

· Competitively shop all purchases through available sources to provide AIB with maximum potential for profitability.

· Assist in the development and maintenance of a system for securing products for AIB through established buying guidelines.

· Generate procurement package and any supplemental documentation, including the purchase order requisitions, and forward to management for approval.

· Follow up with customers on any delinquent shipments.

· Assist in the development and maintenance of a system for securing products for AIB through established buying guidelines.

· Participate in annual physical inventory counts of the AIB Retail Store and Base Supply Centers.

· Perform other job responsibilities as assigned.

SALARY: $18.45 - $22.01 Scale C5 Rank 39

Direct deposit is required.

The work schedule is based on 8 hours each day with a total of 40 hours each work week. This is not an exempt position, and is subject to overtime of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

AIDB Benefits Summary:

The annual employment period will be 260 days to include AIDB Benefits as established by the President and the Board of Trustees.

· Teachers’ Retirement System

· Supplemental Retirement Programs (RSA-1 and TIAA-CREF)

· Public Education Employees’ Health Insurance Plan https://www.rsa-al.gov/peehip/

· Term Life Insurance

· Leave Policy (Annual Leave, Sick Leave, Personal Leave & Paid Holidays)

· Employee Assistance Services Program

· Focus on Upward Mobility Program

· Onsite Daycare

Deadline for Application: July 15, 2025

Click Below to Apply:

https://al.harrisschool.solutions/AIDB/S/Application

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $18.45 - $22.01 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Salary : $18 - $22