Buyer II

Position Summary:

Vallen's Buyer II are responsible for purchasing products, goods and materials (stock and/or non-stock) that meet the organization's standards of price, quality, timing, and reliability of supply. A Buyer II may be procuring product in support of a Vallen distribution center, warehouse, an assigned client, and/or an assigned vendor.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Perform procurement activities to ensure the organization's current and anticipated demand for products and materials (stock and non-stock) are met and in alignment with Vallen's purchasing strategies.
  • Review and approve assigned inventory forecasts produced by the GAINS application.
  • Review and approve daily replenishment recommendations produced by the GAINS application.
  • Assess existing orders to determine action for expediting or de-expediting for optimal delivery.
  • Place purchase requisitions and vendor orders.
• Research, assess, and make recommendations for vendors and/or specific items of request to ensure they that they comply with specifications and meet the organization's quality, pricing, and delivery standards.
• Request and evaluate bids, quotations, and/or proposals for products and materials of request.
• Recognize and evaluate vendor sales, promotional campaigns, and other opportunities to secure reduced prices.
• May negotiate prices and delivery conditions and commit to purchases (within established limits of authority) with terms that are in the organization's best interest.
• Monitor the quality and timeliness of products and materials supplied; may coordinate the return of damaged goods and/or replacement items.
• Negotiate and coordinate vendor returns for aging, expired, or excess inventory; coordinate other liquidation activities as required.
• Follow-up on the status of purchase orders with vendors to ensure timely delivery; and communicate status of orders with internal and/or external customers.
• Communicates with vendors to resolve problems with timeliness and product quality.
• Maintain and cultivate relationships with one or more suppliers, vendors, internal or external customers.
• Assist with identifying opportunities to consolidate suppliers/vendors.
• Research and resolve account payables nonconformance with suppliers.

Job Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g., Business, Finance, etc.) or equivalent experience. 3+ years of experience in the field of Procurement preferred. CPM certification preferred. Other relevant experience includes:

• Excellent customer service.
• Computer skills and aptitude to learn Vallen's Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Inventory Management applications; GAINS experience preferred.
• Mathematical aptitude for basic calculations.
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Demonstrated strong attention to detail, organizational and execution skills.
• Proficiency with MS-Office products.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

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

• Long periods of time working on a computer and performing key-boarding activities.

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.