Purchasing Manager

Position Summary

To provide leadership, planning, and expertise to ensure efficient purchasing and timely delivery of raw materials (wax and resin), supplies, capital equipment, capital sub-contracts, and contract service for the operations group. To ensure that the storeroom meets the operation needs while maintaining the lowest possible inventory level.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

•Initiates purchases for materials, supplies, and services upon request of approved requisitions. Checks for requisition accuracy resolve questionable information and consults with the Plant Manager on high-cost items and/or priority and long lead-time items. Arrange transportation and best method of FOB point, and issue purchase orders. •Administers follow-up and ensures proper records are maintained within the department. Oversees preparation of purchase orders, distribution of bids and inquiries, receipt of quotations, approval of invoices, and negotiations. •Participates in HEW cost-saving initiatives.  Works closely with other plant locations to eliminate redundancy and identifies collaborations where leverage can be created to achieve greater value. •Leads or participates on any teams to combine/consolidate multi-plant purchases for greater purchasing leverage. •Ensures follow-up information concerning orders and delivery dates is communicated to the requisitioner. •Contact vendors regarding late, rescheduled, or incorrect shipments. •Works with Accounts Payables regarding payment of invoices; sees those accurate records of freight rates, variances, unit costs, price, items, etc., are kept manually or on a computer. •Assist the requisitioner in defining specifications for “new” items or services.  Determines What application the item must serve and establishes assurance that the specifications developed will be appropriate for intended end use; assists in establishing order quantities and supplier. •Selects and investigates vendors by ensuring they meet company standards and purchasing requirements. •Maintains an approved supplier list and recommends additions and deletions to it. •Initiates contacts with supply sources; serves as plant liaison between requisitioner and vendors in obtaining literature and information. •Interviews vendor representatives when they call on the plant to maintain awareness of price and product changes; directs new ideas and items of interest to appropriate personnel. •Develops supplier relationships through needs, communications, and performance feedback. •Adjusts contracts and orders as necessary; assures the legality of overrides or ‘moral obligations’ for which the company should pay. •Negotiates settlements for discrepancies in specifications price; sees that credits due are received; monitors contractor performance to ensure that agreement standards are met. •Initiates capital expenditure requests. Tracks plant capital expenditure appropriations and revises capital spending on the monthly forecast. •Approves invoices for payment after reconciling with the original purchase order. •Initiates credit claims when discrepancies are discovered in negotiated prices or quality; files claims on goods or services lost or damaged in transit. •Receives, prepares, and processes disposal records for the sale of surplus and obsolete materials and equipment; arranges for the return of unusable materials. •Provides direction and leadership so that Department personnel are developed and trained in the most efficient, productive, and safe manner to perform their jobs and prepared to progress into successively higher-level positions within the organization; and to ensure that there is a qualified person to backfill for this position during the absence of the incumbent of this position. •Performs other related duties as assigned.

Specialized/Technical Knowledge or Required Skills

• BS preferred, 3-5 years’ Wood Products or manufacturing experience preferred. 
• Excellent communication (presentation, written, oral).
• Computer skills in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Project.
• Ability to organize time and set priorities to effectively handle multiple functions to ensure the purchasing department meets the operation needs.
• Must have a good background in procurement, computerized purchasing, and inventory systems, with a general knowledge of parts, supplies, raw materials, and tools.

• Possess managerial skills with the ability to lead teams.
• Must have general knowledge of Federal and State regulations and company safety and environmental standards policies.
• Must have a working knowledge of bids, contracts, accounts payable, inventory requirements, and purchasing functions.
• Knowledge of operating materials required, production machines, machine shop equipment and finished products.
• Should be able to understand technical/mechanical specifications and drawings.
• Work in a quick, fast-paced environment to ensure operation material and subcontract needs are met.
• Maintain awareness of products or services available and recommend products or services that will achieve maximum results in profitability or reduce operating costs.
• Ensure that desired parts inventories are maintained to support the operation to operate efficiently and with a minimum of downtime.
• To educate maintenance and production personnel on helping to maintain accurate inventory records.

Education

Total Rewards

J.M. Huber Corporation complies with all local/state regulations requiring salary range transparency.

Any offered salary is determined based on relevant factors such as an applicant's skills, performance, job responsibilities, prior relevant experience, certain degrees and certifications and market considerations.