Purchasing Agent

Position Summary The Purchasing Agent is responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and procuring goods and services needed to support the organization's operations. This role ensures materials are purchased at the best possible value while maintaining quality, compliance, and timely delivery of purchased goods and services.

• Evaluates sources, product quality and pricing opportunities for departmental purchase requests; determines the most cost-effective procurement strategy and communicates orders to vendors.
• Issues purchase orders, process requisitions, and track order status through completion.
• Takes advantage of Group Purchasing organizations prices, contracts, volume-based rebates to ensure lowest prices and high quality for goods and services.
• Establishes and maintains relationships with approved vendors, negotiating favorable terms, pricing and contracts.
• Monitors vendor performance and resolves issues related to pricing, quality, or delivery.
• Collaborates with Quality Assurance to verify supplier qualifications and compliance documentation.
• Maintains adequate stocking levels and safety stock on key items.
• Coordinates with Operations, Components Lab, Reference Lab and Donor Services to ensure uninterrupted availability of critical supplies (e.g. blood bags, reagents, PPE and donor incentives).
• Maintains and updates SOPs related to purchasing. Assists in communicating policies and procedures related to purchasing to all employees. Builds strong working relationships with all departments personnel.
• Assists in cost analysis and recommend process improvements to enhance efficiency and savings.
• Provides purchasing reports, spend analysis, and variance analysis explanations to Accounting Department.
• Assists with audits, inspections, and compliance reporting related to purchasing and supply chain.
• Ensures all purchases meet FDA, AABB and other regulatory requirements for blood bank operations.
• Coordinates with warehouse personnel for inventory control.
• Performs other duties as required.