Purchasing Agent

Job Name: Senior Purchasing Agent                                              

Reports to: General Manager           

Classification: Exempt                     

Job Summary: Responsible for creating purchase orders and submitting them to the suppliers. They follow the company procurement process and release reviewed and approved purchase orders to suppliers. Will manage the supply base for a category or categories within the organization and serve as the purchasing subject matter expert for the category or categories.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

·         None

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Negotiates and implements new business opportunities with suppliers.
• Manages day-to-day business and addresses opportunities such as billing, account setup, member feedback, etc.
• Manages projects and communicates internally to gather information and assist with member requests.
• Analyzes Purchasing Assessment data and proposes strategies.
• Prepares, conducts, and follows up on supplier business review meeting
• Determine and communicate need for any expedited materials. Carry out agreed upon expediting plans.
• Research/investigate and interview prospective vendors for new materials. Lead vendor qualification process in accordance with ISO standards.
• Negotiate with vendors regarding terms & conditions, schedules, price reductions, etc. Deliver year over year cost reduction.
• Analyze product demand, trends, forecasts, safety stocks and recommend inventory adjustments accordingly.
• Analyzes general market conditions/indices of key raw material feed stocks that impact short and long term price trends. Reports risks to management.
• Provides regular detailed purchase price variance reports to management.
• Maintain current inventory records; drive inventory reductions. Maintain current and accurate information within the ERP system, including current due dates in accordance with updates from suppliers
• Work closely with accounting staff to process and pay all invoices in a timely manner.
• Work to improve/streamline purchasing processes and activities.
• Fosters clear communication and develops positive relationships with all suppliers, domestic and international.
• Review concerns and issues regarding production status with production team, and/or management to ensure on-time delivery and proper communication both internally and externally.
• Proactively identifies supplier/supply risks with timely reports to management including risk mitigation plans
• Prepare reports and input information into business management systems at month-end closing, taking care to recognize discrepancies and make adjustments as required.

·                 Consistent and Reliable attendance is mandatory

·                 All other duties as assigned

Required Skills/Abilities:

·         Ability to read and comprehend instruction, correspondence, and memos.

·         Ability to write correspondence.

·         Ability to communicate with others associates, customer and vendors.

·         Excellent written and verbal communication skills

·         Strong Computer and Math skills

·         Exemplary attention to detail 

Education and Experience:

·         High school diploma: or two-to-four years related experience preferred.

·         Minimum of 1 years' experience in Operations a plus

·         Printing industry experience is preferred (although not required).

Physical Requirements:

·         Must be able to physical walk through the plant

·         Required to sit/stand for long periods of time, bend, reach and move about the facility

·         Required to grip, twist, turn and type with both hands for long periods of time