The Purchasing Associate plays a key role in supporting the procurement function by developing effective purchasing strategies, maintaining strong supplier relationships, and collaborating with internal teams to meet supply requirements. This position requires excellent negotiation skills, a sharp analytical mindset, and strong attention to detail. The ideal candidate understands market trends and organizational needs to make strategic, cost-effective purchasing decisions. The Purchasing Associate will work closely with the Quality Control Engineer and the Manufacturing/Production Coordinator to ensure seamless operations and product quality.
Essential Functions:
Vendors:
• Work with National and International vendors and currencies
• Negotiate with vendors on pricing, delivery, payment terms and other factors that help Speck Pumps position in the market place
• Responsible for seeking out new vendors for materials to ensure that Speck Pumps is purchasing the best raw materials at the best price
• Maintain and keep current vendor contract pricing in ERP System (Syspro)
• Handle returns of products to vendors and ensure proper credit is given
• Incoming Freight Vendors: Monitor performance and ensure vendors are delivering lowest freight costs and best delivery times. Negotiate with National and International freight carriers
Materials Planning:
• Work in concert with Warehouse Operations Manager and Manufacturing/Production Coordinator to ensure that processes are functioning properly and system is fully implemented into operations of purchasing, production and inventory processes
• Work with Manufacturing/Production Coordinator to determine proper inventory levels and forecast ordering for production materials
• Work with Sales Department to create a meaningful forecast taking Specials, Promotions and Outstanding Quotes into consideration as needed
Purchasing:
• Produce domestic and foreign vendor purchase orders and track deliveries using ERP system (Syspro). Expedite as needed to meet production levels
• Work with Engineering and Sales Departments on new product developments and roll outs
• Support and work with Warehouse Operations Manager to maintain high quality standards of production
• Participate in annual pricing updates and input in to ERP system (Syspro)
• Assist in the development of a quality control program with the Q.C. Engineer, Manuf./Prod. Coord. and Operations Manager
• In coordination with Quality Control, monitor the quality of incoming materials and work with vendors for improvements to reduce our RMA’s
General:
• Work with Accounting to resolve vendor invoice discrepancies and inventory discrepancies
• Utilize a cloud-based file storage program (Content Central) to properly store and process documents. Manage Queues to ensure documents and forms are addressed and functions prompted by arrival are completed in a timely manner
• Participate in annual physical inventory
• Create and generate reports as needed to ensure accurate information is readily available
• Administer and maintain Speck Pumps databases for serial numbers and work orders
• Special Projects as needed by Management
• Review Inventory levels, ensuring all adjustments are properly made i.e., Receiving QTY is correct, UOM are entered and received properly
• Investigate Inventory discrepancies to determine the cause and correct in order to maintain accurate Inventory levels
Competencies:
• Manufacturing and Procurement
• Communication Proficiency
• Strong Negotiation Skills
• Organization Skills
• Attention to Detail
• ERP (Syspro a plus)
Job Requirements:
• 2-3 years of experience in purchasing in a small to medium-sized company with exposure to a manufacturing environment
• Prior experience with an ERP system. Syspro would be a plus
• Working knowledge of MRP
• Strong ability of tracking and follow up, attention to detail, clerical and administrative skills. Import and export experience a plus
• Ability to work independently and take initiative, set priorities and see projects through completion.
• Strong organizational, written and verbal communication skills.
Preferred Education and Experience:
• Associate degree
• PC Experience
Supervisory Responsibility:
This position has no supervisory responsibilities.
Work Environment:
This job operates in a professional office setting. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job with or without accommodations.
This is largely a sedentary role; however, the employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee may be required to lift and move objects up to 25 pounds on occasion.
Position Type and Expected Hours of Work:
This is a full-time position. Hours of work are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with a 30-minute lunch period. The schedule consists of a 40-hour work week.
The following benefits are offered:
• Major Medical – four different types of plans to choose from (80% of premiums covered by employer.
• Dental
• Vision
• Basic Life (company paid)
• Voluntary Life
• Short term disability
• Long term disability (company Paid)
• Seven paid holidays
• Personal Time Off (PTO)
Additional Eligibility Qualifications:
None required for this position.
Speck-Pumps USA is an Equal Opportunity employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expressions, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state, or local protected class.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
We are a Drug-Free Employer.
