Buyer/Purchasing Agent

Summary:
Responsible for purchases made by the organization. Evaluates and approves vendors and authorizes purchase orders for goods or services. Familiar with a variety of the field's concepts, practices, and procedures. Relies on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Performs a variety of tasks. May lead and direct the work of others. A wide degree of creativity and latitude is expected. Typically reports to a manager.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Reviews requisitions.

Confers with vendors to obtain product or service information such as price, availability, and delivery schedule.

Selects products for purchase by testing, observing, or examining items. Selects suppliers with Supply Chain Manager based on criteria such as quality certification, capacity analysis, financial analysis, etc...

Estimates values according to knowledge of market price.

Determines method of procurement such as direct purchase or bid.

Prepares purchase orders or bid requests.

Reviews bid proposals and negotiates contracts within budgetary limitations and scope of authority.

Maintains procurement records such as items or services purchased, costs, delivery, product quality or performance, and inventories.

Discusses defective or unacceptable goods or services with inspection or quality control personnel, users, vendors, and others to determine source of trouble and take corrective action.

Approves invoices for payment.

Expedites delivery of goods to users.

Minimum Qualifications:
Requires a bachelor's degree in area of specialty and at least 4+ years of experience in the field or in a related area.
Knowledge of MRP systems (Oracle preferred).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Design's 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.

Project Management - Coordinates projects; Completes projects on time and budget.

Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.

Quality Management - Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.

Business Acumen - Understands business implications of decisions.

Diversity - Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; Educates others on the value of diversity; Promotes a harassment-free environment; Builds a diverse workforce.

Initiative - Volunteers readily; Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks increased responsibilities; Takes independent actions and calculated risks; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed.

Innovation - Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.

Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.

Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; Develops realistic action plans.

Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.

Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.



Physical Demands:
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.


Work Environment:
The employee will normally work in a temperature-controlled office environment, with frequent exposure to electronic office equipment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

During visits to areas of operations, may be exposed to extreme cold or hot weather conditions. Is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and loud noise.