Assist-Purchasing

Responsible for maintaining targeted levels of plant operating supplies that meet production, cost and quality needs as established. Conduct preliminary vendor research and evaluations, making recommendations to management for final selection. Resolve shipping and billing issues with vendors. Provide administrative support to facility management.

• Order supplies, materials and schedule delivery in amounts and timing required to meet established cost, quality, production and inventory needs. Work with facility operations, quality and shipping departments to ensure correct ordering and inventory levels.
• Record, balance and reconcile purchases, receipts and inventory levels in electronic databases (includes meat shipments). Produce routine and requested reports on purchasing activity.
• Reconcile and resolve shipping and billing errors related to pricing, volume, condition, type and specification of material by working with facility departments and vendors to secure appropriate credit or shipment correction.
• Research potential vendors, obtain bids, review provisions and make recommendations to management. Implement new vendor selections, maintain existing vendor relationships and monitor vendor performance. Correct minor vendor performance issues, referring more complex issues to management.
• Provide administrative support to facility management such as arrangements for travel, meetings and conference calls; complete routine administrative paperwork.
• Negotiate price reductions with vendors based on established price formulas, USDA pricing averages and Corporate Purchasing department guidelines; submit pricing changes for approval by Corporate Purchasing.
• Arrange for the disposal of obsolete packaging materials as directed; update computer records to reflect disposal activity and reduced inventory levels.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• High school education or equivalent
• 0-5 years purchasing experience in a manufacturing environment
• Ability to use spreadsheet and database applications
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong math skills