Purchasing Coordinator

Under minimum supervision of the Director, assists in negotiations with vendors and suppliers; supports engineering staff by purchasing MRO items; and supports continuous improvement in safety, quality, and productivity.

Major Functions And Responsibilities

• Purchase MRO items at the lowest cost, while meeting operational requirements and desired inventory levels.
• Manage the purchase, lease, and repair of lift trucks.
• Introduce new vendors, new technologies, and innovative business arrangements.
• Coordinate purchasing activities for capital equipment and services.
• Manage purchase contracts and communicate renewals on a timely basis to end-user departments.
• Confers with staff and vendors to discuss defective or unacceptable goods or services and determines corrective action.
• Arbitrate claims and resolve complaints generated during the performance of a contract.
• Document and track all discounts on a monthly basis.
• Complete analyses of purchasing requirements including evaluation of requisitioner’s needs, specifications, legal and environmental needs, pricing, and timing.
• Negotiate, prepare and review proposals, contracts, and supplier agreements.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships.
• Evaluate and monitor supplier and purchasing performance, as well as contract performance to determine the need for changes and to ensure compliance with contractual obligations.
• Continually monitor market conditions, trends and prices.
• Drive cost reduction programs via communications with key end-users and departments.
• Manage MRO crib operations/supplies and direct crib personnel in special projects.
• Organize, update, and retain product information files and purchase order records.
  
  

The intent of this description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Job Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Worker Characteristics

• Knowledge of company policies, principles, and philosophies.
• Knowledge of business and management principles involved in resource allocation, production methods, and coordination of resources.
• Mathematical skills required.
• Ability to work independently and under very general supervision.
• Excellent verbal/written communication, negotiation, organization, active listening, critical thinking, judgment, decision-making, and persuasion skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to comprehend and communicate technical information.
• Ability to contribute as a team member to accomplish the goals and objectives set forth.
  
  

Summary Education And Experience Required

Five to 10 years of progressive purchasing responsibility in a heavy manufacturing environment, demonstrated ability to win the respect of an engineering department and a record of substantial and lasting reductions in MRO costs is required. Steel wheel manufacturing experience, and experience in a TS16949 and ISO 14000 environment.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Open office environment with regular activity in the plant and occasional travel to vendor locations.