Purchasing Manager

PURCHASING MANAGER

Major functions: Manage purchasing and warehouse operations and procure supplies, equipment and services for Challenger's 27 campuses.

I. Code of Conduct

A Challenger employee will:

• Support and promote Challenger's mission, values and vision.
• Comply with applicable Challenger policies, standards, manuals and curriculum guides, and federal, state and local laws.
• Protect organizational assets and confidential information; avoid conflicts of interest and report exceptions to management.
• Work professionally and cooperatively with children, colleagues and vendors; respond to requests courteously.
• Follow safety procedures and promptly report unsafe or threatening situations to a supervisor.

Nothing in this description restricts legally protected discussions about wages or working conditions, reporting concerns, or other protected activity.

II. Required Performance

• Supervise and train the Purchasing Assistant and warehouse staff; set priorities and monitor accuracy, productivity and service.
• Review and process authorized school and corporate requisitions accurately and on time.
• Negotiate overall value based on price, quality, suitability, freight, warranty and delivery; issue purchase orders, contracts and blanket purchase orders within delegated authority.
• Issue requests for quotations and bids (RFQs and RFBs); evaluate responses with requesting departments against specifications and operational requirements.
• Manage vendor relationships, evaluate new products and monitor supplier pricing, quality, service and delivery.
• Consult with Directors and office staff to assess product usage, anticipate needs and resolve purchasing problems.
• Forecast demand and consolidate purchases with departments to meet purchasing goals, school-year needs, openings and deadlines.
• Track verified savings and purchasing trends; reduce waste, duplicate orders, excess inventory and shipping costs.
• Maintain purchasing, vendor, contract and inventory records; coordinate receiving, returns, credits and invoice discrepancies with Warehouse and Accounting.
• Establish purchasing standards, preferred vendors and procedures; report purchasing performance and recommend improvements.

III. Qualifications

A. Education and Experience

• High school diploma or GED required; relevant postsecondary education in business, purchasing, accounting or supply chain management preferred.
• Four years of purchasing experience, five years of supervision and five years of warehousing, or an equivalent combination demonstrating the ability to perform this role.
• Experience with purchasing and accounting systems, including MAS 500 where used, Outlook and spreadsheets; ability to learn new systems.
• Knowledge of commercial law, purchasing contracts, negotiations, budgeting and inventory controls.

B. Knowledge, Skills and Physical Requirements

• Analytical, mathematical, English-language, communication, interpersonal and problem-solving skills needed for the role.
• Ability to evaluate bids, total costs and purchasing data and exercise sound financial judgment.
• Ability to prioritize work across campuses, departments, vendors and deadlines with limited supervision.

Essential functions may be performed with or without reasonable accommodation:

• Work in office, warehouse and school settings; move between work areas and visit campuses as needed.
• Use computers and office equipment to manage purchasing information and communicate with staff and vendors.
• Inspect materials, respond to safety concerns and access storage areas, including reaching and bending as needed.
• Occasionally handle supplies and packages, using equipment or assistance for heavier loads.

C. Attitudes and Aptitudes

• Demonstrates integrity and accountability.
• Shows initiative, supports Challenger's curriculum and methods, and responds constructively to feedback.

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