Purchasing Specialist

Job Summary:

Responsible for purchasing, order management and logistics to mitigate risk and enable profitability. Aligns purchases with the business strategies and financial goals.

Principal Responsibilities:

• Purchases and provides order fulfillment activities in support of business demand to positively impact inventory turns and have predictable and accurate supplier on-time delivery.
• Manages the order status process, including ensuring shipping and delivery information is accurate in company's systems. Ensures post Purchase Order (PO) placement updates are complete following PO backlog management process to include tracking, reporting and communication with matrix team members along with working with supplier(s) to meet deliveries.
• Develops and manages relationship with suppliers to hold them accountable for meeting shipping and delivery commitments to include system and process improvements at both company and the supplier.
• Negotiates pricing with suppliers and provide quotes to sales team to support customer opportunities. 
• Works with warehouse and logistics teams, including transportation carriers, to ensure product is received and delivered on time; lead/drive/support process improvements.
• Manages non-conforming inventory, including product disposition and in-process failures.
• Provides timely communication to planners, sales and customer operations on order status and problem resolution.
• Assists in managing inventory aging and fill rate including disposition - stock rotation/liquidations as appropriate to meet the goals of the business.
• Supports group and/or organization key initiatives and objectives through contributions on project teams to include support of supplier management activities.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Level Specifications:

• Foundational knowledge of specialized disciplines, industry practices and standards, acquired via academic instruction and/or relevant work experience of substantially the same level.
• Develops solutions to defined tasks, typical assignments and projects. May be solved by the application of specialized foundational knowledge, using existing approaches and solutions.
• Work is usually performed independently and requires the exercise of judgment and discretion. Receives initial direction although work may be reviewed for accuracy and quality.
• Collaborates with immediate management and team members within the department or function.
• Actions typically affect own work assignments and department. Erroneous decisions or failure to accomplish work may require some assistance or resources to remedy.

Work Experience:

• Typically less than 2 years with bachelor's or equivalent.

Education and Certification(s):

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience from which comparable knowledge and job skills can be obtained.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills.