Purchasing Agent

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Purchasing Manager, the Purchasing Agent serves as the primary contact for external suppliers and internal customers and is responsible for making judgment and discretionary decisions that affect the operation of the organization and effectively communicates those judgments and decisions to the suppliers and internal customers. The purchasing agent must have a working technical knowledge of the product to negotiate the best price, highest quality, and service for the Company. The Purchasing Agent is responsible for controlling inventory levels of product needed for production and scheduling demands.

Qualifications

Requirements:

· Evaluate suppliers on the basis of the price, quality, and speed of delivery of their products and services

· Meet with vendors  to learn about new industry trends, services, pricing and new products 

· Analyze price proposals, and other information to determine reasonable prices

· Negotiate contracts on behalf of the organization

· Work out agreements with suppliers, such as when products will be delivered

· Meet with staff and vendors to discuss defective or unacceptable goods or services and determine corrective action

· Evaluate and monitor contracts to be sure that vendors and supplies comply with the terms and conditions of the contract and to determine the need for changes

· Maintain and review records of items bought, costs, deliveries, product performance, and inventories on the floor

· Coordinate with internal customers pricing and delivery.

· Audit invoices for accuracy from suppliers in comparison to receipt of goods and Purchase Order. 

· Responsible for compliance with all regulatory, facility food safety, and quality policies and procedures including product safety (GMPs) policies and procedures.

· Writing Purchase Orders that are accurate and clearly define the critical parameters of the good being purchased. Accurately review confirmations of purchase orders.

· Maintain vendor information including component pricing, contact information, invoice terms, shipping terms and pricing terms

· Utilizing the Axapta system, create and maintain purchased items. Depending on the item, this may include mil thickness, yield, supplier’s item #, pricing, supplier, minimum order quantities, lead times etc.

· Review production work orders in terms of accuracy to the quote to the customer and allocate materials appropriately.

Job Qualifications:

· Must have the ability to operate a wide variety of standard office equipment proficiently, such as a computer and keyboard, calculator, telephone, fax, photocopiers, scanner, etc. 

· Must have associate or bachelor’s degree or prior Purchasing experience.

· Must be analytical. 

· Must have the ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. 

· Must have previously worked in purchasing in a manufacturing environment.

Essential Functions: 

· Must have reading and writing and math skills necessary to properly understand production orders, and figure yields. This includes setting proper film sizes for order and adjusting inventory quantities for rapid turnover

· Must have a thorough understanding of raw materials input and output from the production department. Must be able to set standards for materials purchased

· Must be able to distinguish subtle shades of color accurately in order to match samples and color designations on orders.

· Must be able to comprehend and follow detailed instructions without constant supervision.

· Must have the ability to evaluate, assess and make decisions.

· Must possess typing skills, advanced excel knowledge to generate reports (vlookup, create pivot tables and manipulate pivot tables) and general computer skills.

· Must be able to work with personnel both in the department and outside the department (customer, sales, production, etc.) under pressure situations.

· Must be able to work under stress deadlines. 

· Must have excellent communication skills to convey production deadlines, order specifications and pricing to customers.