Purchasing Associate / Purchaser

Overview
The Purchasing Associate coordinates purchasing activities and expedites the flow of materials, parts, and assemblies between departments. This role is crucial for ensuring the timely procurement of materials, equipment, and supplies to meet production schedules. The Purchasing Associate will engage with various stakeholders, manage vendor relationships, and contribute to process improvements, all while maintaining compliance with company policies and quality standards.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Follow written work instructions for purchasing products.
• Maintains data entry in the Global Shop System for processing purchase orders.
• Evaluate vendor quotations to ensure optimal quality, price, delivery, and service.
• Effectively manage time and resources to maintain an online data system for high volume orders.
• Recruit and maintain suppliers to provide high quality products and services at competitive prices.
• Prepare and issues purchase orders and change notices according to Global Shop prompts and Kanban procurement cards.
• Interface with Quality Assurance, Sales, Engineering, Customer Service and other relevant internal stakeholders.
• Reviews purchase order claims and contracts for compliance with company policy, accurate pricing, and specification acceptability.
• Assist with monthly inventory reporting and the annual inventory process.
• Perform reception, mail delivery, and switchboard duties.
• Undertake other related duties as assigned by management.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Analytical - Collects and researches data; uses intuition and experience to complement data; designs workflows and procedures.
• 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.
• Customer Service - Responds promptly to customer needs; solicits departmental feedback to improve service; responds to requests for service and assistance; meets commitments.
• Interpersonal Skills - Maintains confidentiality; keeps emotions under control; remains open to others' ideas.
• Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions; participates in meetings.
• Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; interprets written information.
• Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; places success of team above own interests; builds morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; supports others' efforts to succeed.
• Business Acumen – Display an orientation towards profitability; demonstrates knowledge of market and competition; aligns work with strategic goals.
• Understanding of Kanban Principles- Apply Kanban methodology to purchasing and procurement strategies.
• Cost Consciousness - Implement cost saving measures; contributes to profits; conserves organizational resources.
• Ethics - Treat people with respect regardless of status or position; keeps commitments; inspires respect and trust of others; works with integrity; upholds organizational values.
• Organizational Support - Follow policies and procedures; completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; supports organization's goals and values.
• Strategic Thinking - Develop strategies to achieve organizational goals; identifies external threats and opportunities; adapts strategy to changing conditions.
• Judgment – Display a willingness to make decisions; exhibits sound and accurate judgment; makes timely decisions.
• Motivation - Set and achieve challenging goals; demonstrates persistence; overcomes obstacles; measures self against standards of excellence; takes calculated risks to accomplish goals.
• Planning/Organizing - Prioritize and plans work activities; uses time efficiently; sets goals and objectives; organizes and schedules people and tasks; develops realistic action plans.
• Professionalism - Approach others in a tactful manner; reacts well under pressure; accepts responsibility for actions; follows through on commitments.
• Quality Management - Demonstrate accuracy and thoroughness; improves processes, products, and services; promotes the Quality Management System; monitors work to ensure quality.
• Adaptability - Adapt to changes in the work environment; manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit situations; deals effectively with frequent change, delays, and unexpected events.
• Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time; ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; arrives at meetings and appointments on time.

Education and Experience:

• Relevant associate degree preferred; two years’ related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Language Skills: Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively with vendors, customers, and employees.
• Mathematical Skills: Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.
• Reasoning Ability: Solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Interpret a range of instructions in various formats.

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

• Specific visual abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and depth perception. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $18.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) 4% Match
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location: In person

Salary : $18