BUYER I

The Buyer is responsible for the pricing, ordering, and tracking all materials, consumables, & rentals required by the production team for assigned projects. Requests and negotiates pricing from vendors to meet or beat bid pricing and the availability requirements of projects. Generates purchase orders, processes requisitions, maintains related records, and follows all government regulations. The Buyer I position is an entry level buyer position that requires close guidance and on the job training to learn the tools and concepts associated with good purchasing principles. The scope of responsibility for this Buyer position is commensurate with the buying process for less complex purchasing needs. With progressive training, development, and experience, the Buyer can be entrusted with purchasing and duties of increasing size and complexity.

Essential Functions:

1. Reviews reports, requisitions, and purchase orders for accuracy and conformance to company policy and procedures, ensuring the correct charge and location is noted for delivery of materials.
2. Prepares and sends RFQs to appropriate vendors for price and availability making sure all pertinent information is noted on the RFQ, including: specifications, detailed descriptions, drawings noted on the requisitions, and delivery time required.
3. Obtains and uploads competitive quotes from vendors and uploads all accompanying documents to the associated requisitions.
4. Reviews and negotiates the pricing and delivery with vendors to meet required deadlines and budget pricing, if applicable.
5. Prepares purchase orders, ensuring vendors are on the company's established approved vendor list, and all pricing & delivery terms are included in the appropriate fields.
6. Expedites purchase orders weekly. Follows up on back orders or long lead time material orders to ensure promised dates are obtainable. Notifies Purchasing Manager and associated departments of any delivery issues and changes in the expected delivery date.
7. Maintains accurate vendor and department files including uploading, scanning, and filing as required.
8. Utilizes different vendor sources to fill orders as directed and seeks out alternate vendors or supplies to be prepared in the case of material shortages and stock outages.
9. Gains knowledge about the products being purchased and the different vendor sources to become well-informed about product questions.
10. Assists in the Return to Vendor process ensuring materials are returned for maximum credit or replacement material is received in a timely manner.
11. Completes purchase order revisions and change orders as changes are made and distributes to respective departments.
12. Issues pick up tickets for materials/consumables/tools/services in a timely manner and coordinates with the correct supervisors and managers for processing.
13. Provides production with updated information and reports as requested.
14. Gains knowledge of accounting and requisition systems to be able to locate all job pertinent information & reports.
15. Gains understanding of overall procedures and policies for purchasing functions and how it relates to all departments.
16. Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. High school diploma or GED required. Bachelor or associate degree preferred.
2. Minimum two years of related experience.
3. Ability to work cooperatively as a member of the purchasing department team.
4. Well organized and able to carry out assignments with moderate supervision.
5. Strong written, oral communication and people skills.
6. Proficient in MS Office and intermediate Excel skills.

Physical Requirements:

1. Ability to lift 20 pounds regularly and up to 50 pounds occasionally.
2. Ability to sit and/or stand for long periods of time.

This is NOT a physically demanding position and may accommodate most physical disabilities. There may be occasional lifting of office materials or files weighing not more than 20 pounds. Physical dexterity may be required when operating calculators, copiers, computers and/or other typical office equipment.

Known Hazards: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

This position works in an office environment with an occasional visit to a work-site. There is generally no exposure to hostile environments or loud noises or hazardous chemicals or smoke or extreme temperatures. This position may experience eye and muscle strain, backaches, headaches, and repetitive motion injuries from using computers on a daily basis and may have to sit for extended periods while reviewing detailed data.

During work-site visits employee will be required to wear appropriate PPE including, but not limited to:

Hard hat

Ear plugs or attenuator

Safety shoes

Dust mask or respirator

Gloves