Purchasing Associate

Purchasing Associate

As a Purchasing Associate, you will play a key role in the procurement process, ensuring that Group O acquires goods and services at the best possible prices and within specified times. You will be responsible for sourcing suppliers, negotiating contracts, monitoring inventory levels, and maintaining relationships with vendors. The ideal candidate for the Purchasing Associate position would be initiative-taking, meticulous, analytical, and possesses effective communication and negotiation skills, along with a commitment to ethical conduct and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Essential Functions:

• Request, generate, and process purchase orders in a timely and accurate manner, verifying product specifications, pricing, and delivery schedules.
• Collaborate with suppliers on expedited delivery dates, monitoring delivery, and work with suppliers on late deliveries.
• Generate and submit purchase orders for non-sellable items from a purchase requisition.
• Validate and process invoices for payment.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders to understand their purchasing needs and requirements.
• Monitor inventory levels and initiate replenishment orders as needed to prevent stockouts and ensure continuity of operations.
• Participate in physical inventories as needed.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, procurement regulations, and industry standards.
• Maintain accurate records of purchasing activities, contracts, and vendor communications.

Job Qualifications

Education/Certifications:

• High School Diploma

Preferred Education/Certifications:

• College degree preferred

Experience:

• Two plus years related experience.

Skills and Qualification:

• Purchasing, inventory management and accounting knowledge.
• Excellent communication and people skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to learn and work with Enterprise Resource Management (ERP) software and/or Warehouse Management Software (WMS).
• Diligence and strong analytical skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a demanding environment.

Physical Requirements: N/A

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical and Dependent Care)
• 401(k) Plan with Company Match
• Generous Paid Time Off
• 10.5 Paid Holidays
• Career Development Opportunities

About Group O

At Group O, it's our employees who we value most. That's why we provide a supportive environment where employees are given every opportunity to excel. Group O offers a wide variety of careers with room for professional growth and advancement, and we are always looking for motivated individuals to join our team. At Group O, our employees' health and well-being is equally as important as the work they perform. We back up that philosophy by providing a competitive benefits package that supports now and for their future. In 1974, Bob Ontiveros saw an opportunity to live the American dream and build a company for himself and his family. 50 years later, the packaging company he originally founded out of the back of his station wagon - Group O is ranked by the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce as one of the top five Latino-owned businesses in the country. Group O has gained prestige for helping Fortune 500 companies like Samsung, Michelin, Caterpillar, and PepsiCo turn their most complex business challenges into centers of profitability and efficiency. Headquartered in Milan, IL, Group O employs over 1,200 employees. Group O is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, and sexual orientation. If you require accommodations to participate in the job application process, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io, we will work with you to meet your needs. Information provided by applicants will be treated with the utmost confidentiality. We respect your privacy and will handle your application data in accordance with our privacy policy.