Procurement Specialist

Summary: This position is responsible for: sourcing and purchasing of a variety of materials, parts, equipment, and services; obtain quotations, select sources of supply, establish delivery dates and place purchase orders; follow-up on deliveries, over and under shipments, subs-standard quality and change in production requirements: and maintaining various purchasing records.

Essential Duties: 

• Purchase raw materials, component parts, tooling, equipment, supplies, services, and other requirements on the basis of quotations or direct purchase. Check requisitions and any subsidiary data for accuracy and completeness. Use basic information such as drawings, engineering and quality specifications, scheduled manufacturing quantities and various purchasing records for determining sources of supply and placing the purchase order. Work out the best balance for quality, price, delivery and alternate sources of supply, adhering to established purchasing policies and procedures.
• Establish delivery schedules and releases on the basis of standard procedures, immediate and projected production requirements and other factors. Keep records on open orders and maintain check on status of progress in suppliers’ plants on ordered items. Follow-up on deliveries and expedite orders to insure availability of the various items in time to meet established schedules.
• Prepare status reports and summaries on open orders. Revise quantities and delivery schedules based on changes in requirements, engineering and quality changes, market conditions and other factors, upon approval of supervisor. Notify suppliers promptly regarding engineering and quality changes which may affect current and future orders.
• Maintain an effective liaison with suppliers, management personnel and co-workers to ensure a stable supply chain.
• Investigate new sources of supply. Interview supplier representatives and maintain good supplier – company relationships. Ensure that pertinent supplier information is relayed to departments and individuals concerned. Visit suppliers as required, to obtain information and to expedite delivery.
• Verify and approve invoices. Review rejected incoming materials with Quality Control and make arrangements with suppliers for return and replacement of defective materials, repair or rework, charge-backs and other solutions. Consult with Quality Control regarding deviations on sub-standard materials.
• Keep informed of market conditions and new developments in the areas of materials, production methods and purchasing, through trade journals, technical publications and other means. Recommend improvements in purchasing policies and procedures, and areas for potential cost reduction to supervisor. Submit various reports, summaries, analyses, forecasts and memoranda regarding periodic costs savings and price change data affecting standards.
• Exercise responsibility for own professional development through continuing education, attending purchasing or technical society meetings, seminars, trade shows, visits to suppliers, study of appropriate trade journals and similar means.

Qualifications:

This position requires knowledge of purchasing practices and some elements of manufacturing methods, engineering, and quality specification. Must have computer, analytical, and arithmetic skills, Three to four years of experience in buying raw material and two or more years of college level coursework is desirable.

Language Skills:

Must be able to read, write and speak English, bilingual a plus. Must understand ordinary verbal and written instructions.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

Bachelor’s degree in business or related field is preferred and High school diploma or general education degree (GED) preferred; some high school education required.

Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a typical office setting, but some time each day is spent in manufacturing and warehouses with the typical noises and dangers normally associated with these areas.
• Subject to intense pressures from various groups and to ever changing situations regarding supply and demand.
• Because of the nature of this position, knowledge that is sometimes confidential is available. Dissemination of this information is restricted and could lead to discharge.
• The employee is occasionally required to work in high, precarious places; Fumes or airborne particles; Outdoor weather conditions.

Physical Demands:

Essential functions can require:

• Standing or sitting for extended periods of time.
• Use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Reach with hands and arms.
• Talking or hearing.
• Occasional walking.
• Stoop; kneel; crouch.
• Lifting/handling:  exert up to 50 pounds occasionally; up to 20 pounds of force frequently; and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Vision: color; close; peripheral vision; depth perception; and ability to adjust focus.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. He or she will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties requested by his or her supervisor.