Purchasing Agent jobs in Little Rock, AR

description of Essential duties:

• Ensures best value for the business in all goods, services, and transportation transactions
• Uses good judgment and analysis when determining between goods/services alternatives
• Ensures timely processing and strict accuracy of all transactions including system generated transactions, customer requirements, tax implications, etc.
• Communicates frequently with internal staff and external vendors both verbally and in writing on matters relating to purchasing transactions; expected to be a liaison between internal staff, departments and vendors
• Reviews all requests for validity, best value for the business, appropriate quantities, appropriate supplier selection, internal approvals, correct expense account
• Owns the Purchase Order process, including the timely production and issuance of Purchase Orders, monitoring supplier compliance with delivery expectations, and expediting late and crucial orders
• Purchase all stores consumable and non-consumable items for the site(s) and maintain the appropriate inventory (on or offsite) of all parts required for the optimization of our business, i.e., Run the mill, Fix the mill, including monitoring of parts levels and appropriate revisions to coincide with business changes.
• Monitor frequency of purchases and recommend possible options to increase effectiveness of purchasing power, for example determining economic order quantities, and leveraging consolidated volumes from sister sites for best value.
• Uses concepts such as “best value for the business” and total cost of ownership in recommending and making buying decisions
• Participates in the sourcing and supply of goods and services for major pieces of equipment for capital expenditures and spares inventory, including tracking costs against budget.
• Lead supplier selection for the site. Negotiate, develop and maintain entrusted supplier relationships. Continue to monitor and manage supplier performance. Develop and maintain lay supply contacts within the following “communities”: intra-company, our parent companies, industry / competitors, vendors, local industry
• Identify procurement transactions where customs duties and/or sales taxes apply.
• Lead and participate in emergency sourcing and acquisition procedures and actual cases
• Expedite purchase orders by identifying and resolving internal, vendor, or shipment or other problems
• Ensure Stockroom inventory levels are maintained to adequately meet mill operation needs, order replacement goods, co-ordinate organization of stocked items.
• Own tracking of Inventory Change process and recommends and implement approved changes to improve efficiency and effectiveness
• Uses P-card for small, non-inventory purchases, track purchases using the standard template, and reconcile billing monthly as required to meet statement payment deadlines
• Works with upstream (planning, maintenance, requestors) and downstream (accounting) customers to ensure appropriate recording and correctness of transaction details. Prepares and maintains adequate and accurate records and documentation on purchases, quotations, correspondence and related follow-up.
• Lead the management of the physical storage of all consumable and non-consumable items on- or off-site, the maintenance of accurate inventories for audit / inventory control purposes, and the management of Stores inventory systems to maximize the efficiency of maintenance and preventive maintenance on-site.
• Performs month end preparation tasks, review and reconciliation.
• Supports and drives continuous improvement in the Purchasing/Stores area.
• Supports policies and procedures for storeroom access, responsible for security of Purchasing/Stores records
• Supports the Inventory Change Request process, and creates new/revises parts in the CMMS (computerized maintenance management system), including recording quotations, vendor(s) selection, and equipment cross-references.
• Determines means and terms of transportation on all orders, and additionally, provides Customs Broker direction on international shipments. Lead customs brokerage, Canada Customs and U.S. Customs, and transportation issues as they relate to cross-border movement of goods
• Reviews weekly production consumables inventories and orders required replenishments, monitors usage and order quantity trends and initiates revisions as required
• Supports the Material Release process for movement of company assets and surplus goods on and off site
• Provides coaching to individuals on expectations relating to Purchasing, especially for sourcing and committing to goods and services on behalf of the business
• Leads the continual development of the use of the CMMS and other electronic aids to optimize accuracy, efficiency, reporting and overall value to the business. Provides training to others on the use of various aspects of the CMMS as required
• Provides internal customers and suppliers with appropriate and accurate information in a timely fashion
• Communication of Purchasing issues mill wide and with work groups within the mill
• Prepare and distribute reports for site Purchasing activities
• Maintain contractor compliance with requirements for annual service agreement and appropriate insurance coverage, and maintain contractor tracking tool
• Owns the optimization of the Purchasing Agent’s role and all associated processes and procedures, reviewing/revising procedures as needed, developing new procedures/aids as needed, testing and improving new tools/equipment/procedures. Participates in the development of area SOP’s (standard operating procedures) to increase the efficiencies and effectiveness of the Purchasing function
• Other duties that may present themselves from time to time

Required knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Post-secondary education in a business field, or 1 – 3 years’ experience in a Manufacturing – Purchasing setting, or an acceptable combination of education and experience
• Holds a Certificate in Purchasing and/or shows evidence of continued education in the Supply Chain Management field is preferred
• A high degree of problem solving and analytical skills required
• Demonstrated ability to communicate ( orally and in writing) in a professional manner when dealing with employees, suppliers, contractors, and company contacts
• Ability to independently plan, organize, and manage multiple projects/tasks/priorities with close attention to detail
• Demonstrated good working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, and Word, basic knowledge of Excel, Access, PowerPoint
• Demonstrated basic CMMS (computerized maintenance management system) experience, ie. Avante, MP2, Maximo, SAP etc
• Demonstrated practical WHMIS applications
• A high degree of knowledge of Purchasing ethics