Purchasing Agent

Job Description

Job Description

NIMBUS® Advanced Process Cooling is the cooling systems and solutions research, development, and manufacturing division of EMSCO, Inc., an Inductotherm Group Company for more than 45 years. NIMBUS Advanced Process Cooling manufactures VIRGA III® and VIRGA X3® hybrid adiabatic cooling systems, and BOREAS® V-Series Dry Cooling Systems in the U.S.A. Visit for more information about Nimbus products, services, and operations.

Due to extensive business growth Nimbus has an immediate opening for a full time Purchasing Agent in their Anniston, AL offices. The position reports directly to the Vice President/General Manager. This is an exciting opportunity to work with a stable, growing company. The ideal candidate will have 5 years’ 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. He/She is 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 substitute items; 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
• pdate job knowledge by participating in educational opportunitie

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• A minimum of 5 years’ experience related to the duties and responsibilities specified
• A 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 knowledg
• Experience buying engineered components including metals, electronic components, pumps, motors, coatings, etc
• A thorough understanding of purchasing processes, policies, and procedures
• A thorough knowledge of purchasing in an ERP environment, with the ability to learn new software programs
• Sage software experience is preferred
• Standard cost system is preferred
• A thorough 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
• Strong project management, product development, and leadership skills
• Solid judgement with ability to make good decisions

\nCompany Description

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.

Company Description

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.