General Application: This is a general application which allows candidates to submit a resume for review to be considered for possible future opportunities.

Do you have a experience as a Purchasing Agent/Buyer?

Work with the best staffing firm in St. Louis to help you find your next opportunity! Ultimate Staffing is always seeking talented professionals to help support our clients' hiring needs whether they are contract, contract to hire, or direct hire.

The Purchasing Agent/Buyer is responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and purchasing materials, products, and services essential for the company's operations. This role requires ensuring that the company obtains the best possible value in terms of cost, quality, and delivery schedules while maintaining strong relationships with suppliers. The ideal candidate will have a keen eye for detail, strong negotiation skills, and a deep understanding of supply chain management.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Supplier Management:

- Identify and evaluate potential suppliers based on price, quality, selection, service, support, and reliability.

- Develop and maintain strong relationships with existing suppliers to ensure continuity of supply.

- Conduct regular supplier evaluations and audits to ensure compliance with company standards.

2. Procurement:

- Analyze and evaluate supplier bids, proposals, and quotations to determine the most advantageous offers.

- Negotiate contracts, terms, and conditions to secure the best possible prices and delivery times.

- Issue purchase orders and follow up on delivery schedules to ensure timely receipt of goods and services.

3. Inventory Management:

- Monitor inventory levels to ensure adequate stock levels without overstocking.

- Coordinate with the inventory control team to optimize inventory turnover and reduce carrying costs.

- Identify and address any discrepancies in inventory records or supply issues.

4. Cost Control:

- Analyze market trends and price fluctuations to anticipate potential cost increases and adjust purchasing strategies accordingly.

- Work closely with the finance department to ensure that purchasing activities align with budgetary constraints.

- Identify and implement cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality.

5. Documentation and Reporting:

- Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all purchasing activities, contracts, and supplier communications.

- Prepare regular reports on purchasing activities, including spend analysis, supplier performance, and cost-saving initiatives.

- Ensure compliance with company policies, industry regulations, and legal requirements.

6. Cross-functional Collaboration:

- Work closely with the production, quality assurance, and logistics teams to ensure that purchased materials meet the required specifications and are delivered on time.

- Collaborate with the product development team to source new materials or components for upcoming projects.

Qualifications:

- Education: Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field.

- Experience: 2-5 years of experience in purchasing, procurement, or supply chain management, preferably in a manufacturing or production environment.

- Skills:

- Strong negotiation and communication skills.

- Excellent organizational and time-management abilities.

- Proficiency in using procurement software and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

- Knowledge of inventory management principles and supply chain best practices.

- Ability to work independently and make decisions in a fast-paced environment.

- Certifications: APICS Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM), Certified Purchasing Professional (CPP), or similar certifications are a plus.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, or military or veteran status. We consider all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with state and local laws, including the California Fair Chance Act, City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance. For unincorporated Los Angeles county , to the extent our customers require a background check for certain positions, the Company faces a significant risk to its business operations and business reputation unless a review of criminal history is conducted for those specific job positions.