Purchasing Agent II

Job Description

The position of Purchasing Agent is to support the Purchasing Manager, Production Manager, Contract Administrator, and the engineering department, by procuring the appropriate material or parts in accordance with specified customer requirements and government regulations.

Reports to Purchasing Manager

Responsibilities & Duties

  • Purchase goods and services needed while ensuring quality standards are met and are cost efficient

  • Monitor inventory levels and anticipate demand to ensure adequate stock levels are maintained without accruing excess inventory

  • Identify factors affecting costs, such as production time, materials and labor and drive cost reductions

  • Prepare, review and track quotes and PO’s and ensure on time delivery

  • Develop and manage supplier relationships

  • Work closely with engineering, operations, quality, and production teams to ensure alignment with production schedules

  • Ability to read blueprints, technical specifications, and SOWs to prepare estimates for complex equipment is preferred

  • Analysis of supplier quotations/proposals to perform price/cost analysis and understand elements of cost

  • Provide managers with the information they need to submit competitive contract bids

  • Use computer software/ERPs and Excel to calculate cost estimates

  • Prepare and present cost reports for clients

  • Be attentive to detail and possess the ability to handle multiple situations at a time

  • Take part in Six Sigma and continuous improvement activities 

Skills/Training/Qualifications Required

  • A minimum of 5-10 years of estimating/purchasing and manufacturing experience required

  • Strong understanding of supply chain concepts and inventory management

  • Excellent negotiation skills

  • Ability to quote and procure metals/raw materials by demand planning

  • Advanced knowledge of manufacturing and engineering processes

  • Ability to meet deadlines

  • Strong organizational, multitasking and documentation skills

  • Strong attention to detail

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills

  • Advanced analytical skills

  • High-level mathematical skills

  • Ability to read drawings and build a bill of materials (BOMs)

  • Ability to multitask, plan, organize, prioritize work, and meet deadlines

Physical Requirements

  • Sedentary work (typical office requirements)

Intent and Function of Job Descriptions

Job descriptions assist organizations in ensuring that the hiring process is fairly administered and that qualified employees are selected. They are also essential to an effective appraisal system and related promotion, transfer, layoff, and termination decisions. Well-constructed job descriptions are an integral part of any effective compensation system.

All descriptions have been reviewed to ensure that only essential functions and basic duties have been included. Peripheral tasks, only incidentally related to each position, have been excluded. Requirements, skills, and abilities included have been determined to be the minimal standards required to successfully perform the positions. In no instance, however, should the duties, responsibilities, and requirements delineated be interpreted as all-inclusive. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate.

We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or any other status protected by law or regulation. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions be based on job-related factors.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is possible that requirements may be modified to reasonably accommodate disabled individuals. However, no accommodations will be made which may pose serious health or safety risks to the employee or others or which impose undue hardships on the organization.

Job descriptions are not intended as and do not create employment contracts. The organization maintains its status as an at-will employer. Employees can be terminated for any reason not prohibited by law.