Buyer

Elite Corporate Solutions is currently recruiting a Purchasing Agent on behalf of a leading maritime transportation company. This position will be responsible for managing the procurement of vessel parts, supplies, equipment, and industrial services to support tugboat and barge operations while ensuring compliance with procurement procedures, budgets, and operational requirements.
This role will own the full Purchase Order lifecycle, maintain strong supplier relationships, coordinate deliveries with vessel personnel, and support continuous improvement initiatives within the procurement function.

What You'll Do
• Manage daily purchase requisitions from vessel operations, engineering, and other departments.
• Convert approved requisitions into Purchase Orders and ensure suppliers receive and acknowledge orders.
• Solicit and evaluate supplier quotations based on company procurement policies and procedures.
• Analyze pricing, quality, delivery schedules, payment terms, and supplier performance to determine the best sourcing option.
• Manage Purchase Orders from creation through final payment and closeout.
• Coordinate closely with Finance to ensure timely invoice processing and supplier payments.
• Monitor order status, expedite deliveries when necessary, and resolve supply chain issues impacting operations.
• Maintain daily communication with vessel personnel, suppliers, and internal stakeholders.
• Ensure procurement activities comply with company policies, budgets, inventory controls, and approval requirements.
• Support supplier sourcing activities and identify new vendors as operational needs arise.
• Assist with RFIs, RFQs, RFPs, supplier evaluations, and contract implementation activities.
• Participate in supplier performance reviews and maintain Approved Vendor Lists (AVL).
• Support spend analysis, supplier evaluations, and procurement planning initiatives.
• Contribute to process improvement projects focused on procurement efficiency and cost savings.
• Utilize ERP systems (Great Plains) to manage procurement transactions and documentation.

What We're Looking For
• Bachelor’s Degree required.
• Bilingual (English & Spanish)
• Minimum 5 years of hands-on procurement or purchasing experience.
• Maritime industry experience preferred.
• Strong understanding of Procure-to-Pay (P2P) processes.
• Experience managing purchase orders, supplier relationships, and sourcing activities.
• Knowledge of contract administration and supplier negotiations.
• Strong organizational and follow-up skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Experience working with ERP systems (Great Plains experience is a plus).
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Fluent in English (written and verbal).
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to operational excellence.