Purchase Agent - Location: Norfolk, Virginia

U. S. Marine Management Position Description

Disclaimer: - The purpose of this document is to provide a summary of the generic functions/tasks associated with this position/position. It is not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible position responsibilities, tasks, and duties. The responsibilities, tasks, and duties of the incumbent might differ from those outlined here and additional duties may be assigned at the manager’s discretion. The position description details as outlined below are also subject to change/ may be reassigned at any time.

• Business Title: Purchase Agent 
• Supervisory Responsibilities: No
• Status: Exempt
• Overtime Eligible: No
• Supervisor: Purchasing Manager 

Purpose/Summary:

Purchasing agent is responsible for acquiring goods and services required by the vessels in a timely, cost-effective manner while maintaining quality and safety standards. This role involves negotiating with vendors, tracking orders, and ensuring final delivery is made to support operational needs. 

• Responsible for procuring goods and services for multiple vessels as assigned. 
• Monitor all purchases from placement to completion and ensure timely updates. 
• Work closely with vessels, port engineers, finance and company agents via written and oral response. 
• Resolve issues related to order discrepancies, deliveries, and invoices.
• Responsible for CONSOL and REFLAG purchases as assigned.
• Maintain current supplier relationships and explore new alternative sources of supply.
• Responsible for compliance with all ISO 9000 procedures applicable to purchasing in response to Technical Organization needs for supplies and services.
• Support commitment to safety and other selected company standards and certifications.
• Organization needs for supplies and services.
• Evaluate vendor performance. 
• Responsible for independent purchase authority up to $75,000.
• Performs other position-related duties as specified by management.

Position Specifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution preferred but not required.
• Experience as a purchasing agent or government contract specialist
• with an emphasis in the Industrial/Marine environment preferred.
• Prior military supply or storekeeper experience is a plus.
• Computer skills with MS Word, Excel and Oracle based programs is also a

Technical Skills and Competencies Required

• Must have computer skills in Microsoft Word, Windows, Outlook, and Excel.
• ABS Nautical Systems (NS) 
• Microsoft Office Products
• Freight Forwarder Tracking System
• Must have excellent communications skills in the oral and written forms.
• Must be able to work well under pressure in a fast-paced environment.

Learning Description

Expectation is the Buyer is to be proficient in the USMMI procurement process within 6 months in role.

Travel Requirements:

Extensive travel (including foreign travel and travel in cars, boats, ships, and airplanes) will be required to attend to shipyard maintenance, to ride vessels or visit vessels for quality assurance and general management of vessel and crews, and on short notice for casualties, to conduct investigations and to protect the company’s reputation, or as directed by management.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

General office setting, typically the employee may sit comfortably to perform the work, usually at a computer terminal with short breaks or lunch period. However, there may be some bending/stooping, reaching above shoulder level, walking; standing; carrying of light items such as papers, books, or packages of up to 25 pounds. Should be able to hear & speak clearly using phone / headset to communicate with customers; be able to navigate, view & enter information on the computer.

Operations Setting: typically, the employee must be able to be in Confined Spaces, Sit, Stand, Walk, Bend, Push/Pull, Kneel, Squat, Reaching and Twisting. Can not have any Fear of Heights. Also need the ability to consistently be able to lift 10lb – 100lb utilizing Folding Hand Truck & Dolly, Rolling Utility Carts or Single Hand Trucks (70 – 100%) of time.