PURCHASING

The Purchasing Agent is responsible for procurement of goods and services, equipment, tools and supplies under tight deadlines. This position reviews requisitions to ensure they meet company requirements and negotiates with vendors to obtain the best price, quality, and availability and delivery schedule. This position is responsible for negotiating prices for cost down activity. The Purchasing Agent will select products for purchase by testing, observing, or examining items and will estimate values according to knowledge of market trends and prices. The Purchasing Agent will serve as Company representative with US Customs and Trade Partnerships Against Terrorism (C-TPAT); including but not limited to: ensuring compliance, document control, import regulations and maintaining entry records according to the A.1.A list. - Maintains work flow by monitoring steps of the process, setting processing variables, and purchasing the highest quality merchandise at the lowest possible price and in correct amounts - Prepares purchase orders, solicits bid proposals and reviews requisitions for goods and services - Researches and evaluates suppliers based on quality, cost, delivery, selection, service, support, reliability, production and distribution capabilities, as well as the supplier's reputation and history. - Analyzes price proposals, financial reports, and other data and information to determine reasonable prices - Negotiates or renegotiates, and administers contracts with suppliers, vendors, and freight companies - Monitors shipments to ensure that goods come in on time and in the event of problems, trace shipments and follow up on undelivered goods - Confer with staff, users, and vendors to discuss defective or unacceptable goods or services and determine corrective actions - Updates policies to reflect ISO 9001 procedures as needed and completes customer surveys as needed - Evaluates and monitors contract performance to ensure compliance with contractual obligations and determines need for changes - Maintains and reviews records of items purchased, costs, delivery, product performance, and inventories - Review catalogs, industry periodicals, directories, trade journals, and Internet sites, and consults with other to locate necessary goods and services - Studies sales records and inventory levels of current stock to develop strategic purchasing programs that facilitate employee access to supplies - Interview vendors and visit suppliers' plants as needed - Writes and reviews product specifications, maintaining a working technical knowledge of the goods or services to be purchased