Purchasing & Supply Chain Specialist

We are seeking a Purchasing & Supply Chain Specialist to strengthen Purchasing capacity while working within established departmental responsibilities and management direction. This role supports REI's supply chain activities through supplier sourcing, purchasing coordination, inventory and material availability review, ERP data accuracy, and cross-functional support.

Essential Functions: include the following. 

• Research and compares suppliers, goods, and services based on cost, quality, availability, reliability, and lead time
• Supports supplier sourcing, quotation analysis, supplier selection, and purchasing activities within established purchasing processes
•  Assists with supplier pricing, terms, delivery commitments, returns/RMAs, and other supplier issues as assigned
• Identifies opportunities for cost savings, improved lead times, and more efficient purchasing practices

Job Functions: include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Builds and maintains positive, professional supplier relationships
• Monitors assigned supplier performance and communicates material delivery, quality, or service concerns to appropriate stakeholders
• Coordinates with Purchasing, Production, Shipping/Receiving, Sales, and other departments to review material availability, inventory information, and purchasing needs. Provides information and support without assuming ownership of production scheduling or other departmental responsibilities
• Reviews and maintains applicable purchasing and supply-chain data within the ERP system, including supplier information, lead times, purchasing parameters, and other assigned data; supports data accuracy and cleanup efforts
• Prepares and maintains purchase orders, verifies specifications and pricing, and provides supporting information to Accounting and other departments as needed
• Tracks purchase deliveries and communicate supplier status, expected delivery dates, shortages, or other material-related issues to relevant stakeholders
• Supports purchasing and supply-chain process improvement, documentation, reporting, and special projects, including ERP-related initiatives, as assigned
• Responsible for seasonal reviews and forecasting beyond standard review
• Assists with development of an internal process for tracking actual customer business compared to customer projections
• Assists with development of an internal system for tracking purchase requests and results

Supervisory Responsibility
This position does not have supervisory responsibility.

Required Education and Experience to perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.

• High school diploma or GED required
• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, procurement, or a related field highly preferred
• 3-5 years' experience in purchasing, procurement, supply chain, inventory, or a related manufacturing/operations role
• Proficiency with ERP and inventory management systems; experience maintaining accurate purchasing, supplier, inventory, or material data
• Must possess excellent communication (both verbal and written), supplier-relations, and problem-solving skills
• Strong organization, documentation, and cross-functional coordination skills
• Strong research and analytical skills with attention to data accuracy

Travel
This role requires limited travel as determined by management, including traveling to vendor sites, trade shows, superliner locations, or other business locations.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an

employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable

accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the

essential functions.

No unusual physical demands.  Requires the frequent use of hands and fingers to operate a computer, keyboard, telephone, and other standard office equipment. The employee may occasionally be required to lift, carry, or move materials or equipment weighing up to 50lbs. Work is performed in a combination of a typical office setting and a manufacturing/warehouse environment.