Purchasing Agent

Purchasing Agent – Graywolf Integrated Construction Company

Purchasing agents play a critical role in the Purchasing Department as they are the first line point of contact with the field construction team. They receive requisitions, solicit proposals for those requisitions, identify new vendors, ensure compliance with corporate vendor agreements, timely purchase them using the MRP system and other internal system tools. Once the order is placed, Purchasing Agent will work with field teams to properly receive the items that are delivered in the field. Purchasing Agents oversee and coordinates various functions of business for a specific group of products while acting as an intermediator between suppliers and internal customers. Including but not limited to, purchasing, accounting, and relationship management. This role is also responsible for price negotiation, staying informed of industry trends, communicating market conditions with our profit center locations, and continually searching for cost saving options.

Core Responsibilities

• Provides exceptional customer service and accurate paperwork, as well as approving invoices for material timely.
• Assists field with material questions on buys, missing material. Provide assistance with estimating projects, as needed.
• Purchase all materials to schedule, special requirements, location and budget. Review material and determine best nested requirement and buy materials, accurately process purchase orders in a timely manner.
• Responds to requests for price quotations, purchase orders, order changes, adjustments, and cancellations in a timely manner. Communicate with PMs on any issues.
• Maintain constructive relationships with vendors, suppliers and contractors; measure and ensure continuous performance.
• Identify and evaluate quality issues and opportunities for quality and/or price improvement through new supplier selection, price negotiation or new product introduction.
• Develop and provide periodic and ad-hoc key performance reports and indicators on purchasing activities (e.g. material usage, price development, reporting, etc)
• Create job purchasing plan for all assigned jobs.
• Stays knowledgeable on all current market conditions and adjusts buying patterns accordingly.
• Ensure the terms of purchase and prices of materials adhere to contractual or negotiated pricing parameters.
• Follow jobs in progress to expedite or delay shipments as needed.
• Interface with various levels of management with differing demands.
• Manage multiple projects while meeting stringent deadlines.

Required qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities) to perform essential functions of this position:

Core Competencies

• Timely Decision Making - Makes decisions in a timely manner, sometimes with incomplete information and under tight deadlines and pressure; able to make a quick decision.
• Functional Technical Skills - Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills to do the job at a high level of accomplishment.
• Listening - Practices attentive and active listening; has the patience to hear people out; can accurately restate the opinions of others even when he/she disagrees.
• Written Communications - Is able to write clearly and succinctly in a variety of communication settings and styles; can get messages across that have the desired effect.
• Problem Solving - Uses rigorous logic and methods to solve difficult problems with effective solutions; probes all fruitful sources for answers; can see hidden problems; is excellent at honest analysis; looks beyond the obvious and doesn't stop at the first answers.
• Time Management - Uses his/her time effectively and efficiently; values time; concentrates his/her efforts on the more important priorities; gets more done in less time than others; can attend to a broader range of activities.
• Integrity and Trust - Is widely trusted; is seen as a direct, truthful individual; can present the unvarnished truth in an appropriate and helpful manner; keeps confidences; admits mistakes; doesn't misrepresent him/herself for personal gain.
• Customer Focus - Is dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; gets first-hand customer information and uses it for improvements in products and services; acts with customers in mind; establishes and maintains effective relationships with customers and gains their trust and respect.

Work Experience

Minimum of five (2) years of experience directly related purchasing experience. Preferably in the industrial construction industry.

Education/Training

High school diploma or equivalent with demonstrable progress towards professional certification (for example APICS) or industry specific education or training. Associates or Bachelors degree a plus.

Specialized Knowledge – Certificates & Licenses

As outlined in the Core Competencies, an individual must have thorough knowledge and an advanced understanding of each competency outlined above in order to carry out the essential functions of this position. Specialized Knowledge is also required in the following areas:

• Demonstrated knowledge of basic business and purchasing principles;
• Basic knowledge and understanding of steel construction in terms of required materials;
• General understanding of end to end Supply Chain Management.
• Understands and follows all SOX related buying requirements

Software & Technology

Position will require the frequent use of MS Windows, MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook, and Blue Beam PDF Software. Oracle system proficiency is a plus.

Work Environment

Position requires as many hours needed to fulfill the daily and weekly obligations required to carry out the functions. Working long days including evenings and weekends can be required for this position. This position is indoors and may sit for long periods of eight (8) hours or more per day. Position requires ability to lift and carry shop drawings on occasion. Reasonable accommodations may be made upon request for those who have disabilities that qualify under the American with Disabilities Act. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 lbs.

Graywolf is an Equal Opportunity Employer with and Affirmative Action Plan.

Employee is required to sign this document in the space provided below, acknowledging receipt, review and comprehension of this job description.