Purchasing Specialist

Purchasing Specialist

The Purchasing Specialist is responsible for maintaining established inventory levels, collaborating with the Business Development team and assigned supplier contacts to enable open communication with regard to sales growth, inventory fluctuations and concerns.

This position can be based out of Wilsonville Oregon, or Kent Washington.

Key Responsibilities

• Work in an environment of continuous improvement with a focused effort on pro-active forecasts. Work with suppliers, sales, business development, and operations to generate purchasing plans for assigned items.
• Conduct weekly or bi-weekly meetings with suppliers and the business development team to better plan for and quantify inventory needs and communicate and discuss solutions for inventory issues.
• Analyze sales by item to determine correct inventory levels by creating/adjusting purchase orders.
• Continually educate our business partners on the timeline within the ordering process to warehouse/branch delivery.
• Optimize the delivery locations with our suppliers to minimize Columbia's operational touches and transportation expenses.
• Monitor and provide visibility to obsolescence issues around warehouse inventory.
• Complete all other tasks or projects as assigned.
• Demonstrate behaviors consistent with those of Columbia Distributing's core values.

Key Competencies

• Exceptional knowledge of industry products
• Decision-making, problem resolution and creative thinking skills
• Exemplary organization and interpersonal skills, including strong time management skills ability to effectively handle multiple projects concurrently

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk and sit. The employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift or move up to 25lbs

Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position, Monday through Friday

Travel

This position may require up to 5% travel. Some of the travel may be out of state.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree
• High School diploma or GED
• Minimum two years of experience in a purchasing/planning environment
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, and VIP

Compensation

• Actual compensation packages are based on a wide array of factors unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, years and depth of experience, certifications, and specific location.
• Employees (and their families) are eligible for medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees are able to enroll in our company's 401k plan. Employees are also eligible for 80 hours of vacation every year and 7-8 days of paid holidays throughout the calendar year (depending on location).
• Hired applicants may be eligible for incentives/bonuses/annual bonuses.

Classification: Exempt Reports to: Purchasing Manager