Purchasing Agent

EMSCO Inc. is one of the Inductotherm group of companies, more than 50 technology-based firms worldwide. We are the largest service company for the induction melting and heating industries in North America. Our small company environment provides large company benefits, including employment stability and opportunities for advancement. Our division in Anniston has an opening for a Purchasing Agent.

The position reports directly to the Vice President/General Manager. This is an exciting opportunity to work with a stable, but growing company. The ideal candidate will have 5 years of experience in a lead purchasing role in manufacturing. We’re looking for a high energy, positive professional with a solid business acumen to join our team.

Job Description: The Purchasing Agent evaluates suppliers, negotiates, and monitors contracts, and reviews the quality of products. They are responsible for identifying and addressing both strategic and operational supply chain issues across the purchasing function. The Purchasing Agent is also responsible for handling the company’s end to end sourcing operations to appraise and improve sourcing activities by analyzing the company’s spending, its vendor partnerships and new vendor possibilities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop, lead, and execute purchasing strategies
• Track and report key functional metrics to reduce expenses and improve effectiveness
• Craft negotiation strategies and close deals with optimal terms
• Partner with stakeholders to ensure clear requirements documentation
• Forecast price and market trends to identify changes of balance in buyer-supplier power
• Perform cost and scenario analysis, and benchmarking
• Assess, manage, and mitigate risks
• Generate and implement efficient sourcing and category management strategies
• Seek and partner with reliable vendors and suppliers
• Determine quantity and timing of deliveries
• Monitor and forecast upcoming levels of demand
• Verify purchase requisitions by comparing items requested to main list; clarifying unclear items; recommending alternatives
• Prepare purchase orders by verifying specifications and price; obtaining recommendations from suppliers for sub obtaining approval from the engineering department.
• Obtain purchased items by forwarding orders to suppliers; monitoring and expediting orders.
• Verify receipt of items by comparing items received to items ordered; resolve shipments in error with suppliers
• Work with Engineering to review and interpret blueprints for design changes and parts adjustments
• Authorize payment for purchases by forwarding receiving documentation
• Keep information accessible by appropriate use of the company’s ERP system
• Provide purchasing planning and control information by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing data and trends
• Analyze and resolve purchasing issues/discrepancies
• Update job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• A minimum of 5 years of experience related to the duties and responsibilities specified
• Bachelor’s degree and/or certification in a related field preferred
• Professional experience in the domestic/international procurement of high-cost manufacturing components with configure to order process knowledge
• Experience buying engineered components including, non-ferrous metals, fabrications, machined parts, insulating materials, etc.
• A thorough understanding of purchasing processes, policies, and procedures
• Knowledge of sourcing and procurement techniques as well as a dexterity in “reading” the market
• A thorough knowledge of purchasing in an ERP environment, with the ability to learn new software programs
• Through knowledge of market research, data analysis, and purchasing best practices
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Comfortable with figures and in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data
• Outstanding organizational and time management skills
• Ability to negotiate, and build and sustain networking relationships
• Proficient in Microsoft Office
• Strong leadership capabilities
• Understanding of market dynamics and sound business judgement
• Solid judgement with ability to make good decisions

Supplemental Pay:

· Incentive Bonus

· Profit sharing plan

Benefits:

· Health insurance

· Dental insurance

· Vision insurance

· Life insurance

· Supplemental life insurance

· Short term disability

· Paid time off

EMSCO, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.