Sr Purchasing Agent

Position Summary:

Vallen's Purchasing Agent II is the second level of a three-level job function and is distinguished from the higher level by the lack of responsibility for purchasing authority. Purchasing Agent II has less responsibility for significant vendor and product research, detailed bid specifications and spending authority. Under supervisor of Regional Purchasing Manager, obtains competitive quotes, purchases goods and services and maintains supply stock for various divisions within Vallen.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Buying authority of up to $50,000 without approval of Regional Purchasing Manager.
• Maintains strategic alliances/partnerships.
• Participates in conversion of product with Regional Purchasing Manager.
• Assists in the analyses of markets and delivery conditions to determine the present and future material availability system wide.
• Executes purchasing practices linked to Vallen distribution and corporate strategies as directed by the Regional Purchasing Manager.
• Responsible for managing the Vallen inventory assets for select product lines as determined by the Regional Purchasing Manager.
• Ensure new SKUs are included in inventory planning process.
• Manage the acquisition of inventory to minimize carrying costs and maximize Vallen working capital (rebates, inventory, payment terms, etc.).
• Review procedures to ensure compliance with working capital contract provisions.
• Participate in key supplier relationship building.
• Review and approve supplier performance improvement and cost reduction targets.
• Monitor and review performance improvement against targets.
• Manage and co-facilitate supplier continuous improvement programs across Vallen operations.
• Issue and review purchase order claims and contracts for supplier compliance with negotiated contract terms.
• Prepare and issue purchase orders and change notices.
• Prepare instructions regarding purchasing systems and procedures.
• Expedites orders as required.

Job Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree from a four year College: or
• 1-3 years related experience and/or training;
• Minimum of 1 years experience as a buyer of capital goods.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience.

Requirements:

Must be a self-starter with the ability to work independently and with little supervision

• Must demonstrate good time management skills
• Must possess strong planning, organizational and execution skills
• Must have the ability to set goals and meet deadlines
• Must possess excellent customer service skills
• Must demonstrate ownership of assigned responsibilities and ability to get the job done correctly and in a timely manner
• Must possess a proactive and positive team approach to problem resolution
• Must have the ability to establish strong working relationships with co-workers and management
• Must have the ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form

Work Environment (Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.):

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The work environment is generally favorable. Lighting and temperature are adequate and there are no hazardous or unpleasant conditions caused by noise, dust, etc.

Physical Demands (Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.):

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee may be required to occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Requirements:

Must be a self-starter with the ability to work independently and with little supervision

• Must demonstrate good time management skills
• Must possess strong planning, organizational and execution skills
• Must have the ability to set goals and meet deadlines
• Must possess excellent customer service skills
• Must demonstrate ownership of assigned responsibilities and ability to get the job done correctly and in a timely manner
• Must possess a proactive and positive team approach to problem resolution
• Must have the ability to establish strong working relationships with co-workers and management
• Must have the ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form

Work Environment (Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.):

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The work environment is generally favorable. Lighting and temperature are adequate and there are no hazardous or unpleasant conditions caused by noise, dust, etc.

Physical Demands (Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.):

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee may be required to occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and ability to adjust focus.#IND-JP