Purchasing Agent jobs in Cedar Rapids, IA

Scope of Position:

Coordinates activities with procuring goods such as raw materials, equipment, tools, parts, electronics, supplies and advertising in addition to other business services.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Reviews all requisitions for item or service procurement
• Assesses and evaluates supplier capabilities, manages business relationships with vendors, develops alternative sources and monitors supplier performance
• Confers with vendors to obtain product or service information such as price, availability, and delivery schedules
• Compares and negotiates quotes and prices
• Places orders with vendors and suppliers
• Selects products for purchase by testing, observing and examining items for comparative analysis
• Estimates product value according to equitable market price
• Determines method of procurement such as direct purchase or bid process and prepares paperwork as necessary
• Reconciles discrepancies with vendors and suppliers against invoices
• Maintains procurement records such as items or services purchased, costs, delivery schedules, product quality, performance standards and supply inventories
• Discusses defective or unacceptable goods or services with quality control personnel, users, vendors and other appropriate parties to determine sources of trouble and corrective action plans
• Assists in matching outside resources with internal requirements
• Maintains excellent communication with both management and production staff
• Uses critical thinking skills to effectively solve problems
• Performs other similar or related work as required or requested