<p>Position Summary</p> <p>The Purchasing Agent is responsible for managing the procurement of materials, components, and services that support production and operations. This role focuses on developing and maintaining vendor relationships, negotiating favorable pricing and terms, ensuring timely delivery of quality materials, and driving cost efficiencies across the supply chain. The ideal candidate is an experienced purchasing professional with strong analytical and negotiation skills, and a solid understanding of manufacturing processes and inventory management.</p> <p>Key Responsibilities</p> <ul> <li>Source, evaluate, and negotiate with suppliers to ensure competitive pricing, quality, and on-time delivery. </li><li>Issue purchase orders and maintain accurate records in the ERP or purchasing system. </li><li>Analyze material requirements and coordinate with production, engineering, and inventory control teams. </li><li>Identify and implement cost reduction opportunities through supplier consolidation, process improvement, and strategic sourcing. </li><li>Review supplier performance and resolve issues related to quality, delivery, or invoicing. </li><li>Maintain strong relationships with key suppliers and internal stakeholders. </li><li>Monitor market trends, pricing, and availability of critical materials. </li><li>Ensure all purchasing activities comply with company policies and ethical standards. </li><li>Assist in developing and improving purchasing processes and best practices. </li><li>Provide guidance or mentorship to junior buyers or purchasing assistants as needed. </li></ul> <p>Qualifications</p> <p>Required:</p> <ul> <li>Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or related field (or equivalent experience). </li><li>5-8 years of purchasing experience, preferably in a manufacturing or industrial environment. </li><li>Strong knowledge of procurement processes, supplier negotiation, and ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, or similar). </li><li>Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced setting. </li><li>Excellent communication, problem-solving, and analytical skills. </li></ul> <p>Preferred:</p> <ul> <li>Certification such as CPIM, CPSM, or CPP. </li><li>Experience sourcing raw materials, mechanical components, and MRO items. </li><li>Familiarity with lean manufacturing principles and inventory optimization. </li></ul>