Purchasing Specialist

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Plan and forecast inventory levels of purchasing needs
• Generate accurate purchase orders, with items, prices and vendors.
• Process purchase orders to ensure no disruptions in Operations due to out of stock materials.
• Establish and maintain effective supplier relationships with external suppliers.
• Work with vendors to expedite deliveries, when needed.
• Reduce Cost of Goods through cost competitive sourcing.
• Process requisitions, purchase orders and assist with invoice reconciliation
• Gain understanding of each supplier's internal supply chain processes
• Coordinate railcar logistics, including tracking shipments, ordering railcars, and releasing railcars as needed.
• Perform regular audits on inventory and supplies.
• Conduct monthly inventory counts and process inventory adjustments to maintain accurate stock records.
• Analyze scrap rate and inventory trends to identify patterns, support decision-making, and improve operational efficiency.
• Answer incoming customer phone calls and provide prompt, professional assistance
• Greet and assist walk-in customers, ensuring a positive customer experience.
• Maintain office operations by ordering and managing office and facility supplies.
• Scan, organize, and maintain shipping documentation and related records.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Comfort level with a very high volume, fast paced operation in a time sensitive environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and problem solving skills, written and verbal communication skills.
• High level of proficiency with Microsoft Office Products, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
• Possess strong analytical & problem solving skills.
• Must be able to build strong internal relationships and be able work collectively/collaboratively across the organization
• Stamina to sit and to maintain attention to detail despite interruptions.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to multitask and coordinate time sensitive duties.
• Experience analyzing and documenting medium to complex business processes or problems using intermediate to advanced statistical and analytical modeling techniques and with a focus on detail, cost drivers, and total cost of ownership.
• Ability to effectively communicate, both written and verbally, with customers and stakeholders to build strong internal and external relationships while maintaining a high sense of urgency and customer focus.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple projects or tasks with varying and sometimes competing timelines.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is mostly performed in an office setting though it requires walking through the plant as needed. Physical essential functions of the job include but are not limited to: standing or sitting for long periods of time, bending, reaching, walking, and light lifting.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree in business or related discipline.
• 1-3 years related experience in logistics/supply chain management.
• Previous experience with purchasing commodities.