Purchasing Agent

Cogent; Omaha (NE); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Ownership (ESOP)

401(k) with Company Match

Profit Sharing Bonuses

Medical, Dental, Vision & Life보험

Generous PTO & Holidays

Volunteer Time Off

Career Development & Advancement

Culture of Innovation, Collaboration &

On-site work in Omaha

Job summary

Central States Group, A Cogent Company, Omaha, NE, seeks aPurchasing Agent to manage purchasing and inventory across multiple locations. You will own supplier relationships, analyze usage and lead times, and ensure timely availability of products in a growing, 100% employee-owned organization.

Responsibilities include ERP-based purchasing, data analysis, and process improvements to boost efficiency. This is a full-time, on-site role with competitive benefits and growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in purchasing, procurement, inventory, or related field.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience independently managing purchasing activities and coordinating with suppliers.
• Working knowledge of inventory replenishment, supplier lead times, purchasing controls, and inventory turnover.
• Experience using ERP or computerized purchasing systems.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel to analyze purchasing and inventory data.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and cross-department collaboration.
• Ability to prioritize competing demands in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Manage purchasing and inventory replenishment for assigned suppliers and product categories across locations.
• Analyze inventory levels, usage, demand trends, and lead times to inform purchasing decisions.
• Create, review, and manage purchase orders with pricing, quantities, and delivery expectations.
• Monitor open orders, track supplier commitments, and expedite materials when needed.
• Maintain appropriate inventory levels while minimizing excess, obsolete, and slow-moving stock.
• Review ERP replenishment controls within established guidelines.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships and serve as primary contact for purchasing activities.
• Monitor supplier performance including pricing, delivery reliability, lead times, and order accuracy.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings and improved purchasing terms.
• Collaborate with sales, warehouse operations, and other departments to address product availability.

Skills

Purchasing experience

Inventory management

Excel proficiency

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Education

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Business / Supply Chain

Tools

Epicor Prophet 21 (P21)

Job description

Central States Group, A Cogent Company
Location: Omaha, NE | Full-Time | Onsite

Make Smart Purchasing Decisions. Keep Operations Moving. Share in Our Success.

If you enjoy solving problems, building strong supplier relationships, and making purchasing decisions that directly impact business success, this is an opportunity to put your expertise to work!

Central States Group, A Cogent Company, is seeking a detail-oriented, proactive Purchasing Agent to support purchasing and inventory management across multiple locations. You'll take ownership of assigned suppliers and product categories, analyze inventory needs, coordinate purchasing activities, and help ensure the right products are available at the right time.

This is more than a purchase order processing role. You'll have the opportunity to use your analytical skills, purchasing experience, and independent judgment to improve inventory availability, control costs, and support operational efficiency—all while sharing in the success of a 100% employee-owned company.

What You'll Do

As a Purchasing Agent, you'll play an important role in keeping our business running efficiently by managing purchasing activities, maintaining supplier relationships, and supporting inventory performance.

Purchasing & Inventory Management

• Independently manage purchasing and inventory replenishment for assigned suppliers and product categories across multiple locations.
• Analyze inventory levels, historical usage, demand trends, and supplier lead times to make informed purchasing decisions.
• Create, review, and manage purchase orders, ensuring accurate pricing, quantities, and delivery expectations.
• Monitor open orders, track supplier commitments, and expedite materials when needed.
• Maintain appropriate inventory levels while helping minimize excess, obsolete, and slow-moving inventory.
• Review and adjust ERP replenishment controls within established guidelines.

Supplier & Vendor Coordination

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with suppliers.
• Serve as a primary contact for purchasing activities, order updates, and supplier issues.
• Monitor supplier performance, including pricing, delivery reliability, lead times, and order accuracy.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings, improved purchasing terms, and alternative sourcing.
• Resolve purchasing discrepancies and elevate complex issues when appropriate.

ERP, Data Analysis & Process Improvement

• Utilize ERP purchasing and inventory management systems to support accurate purchasing decisions.
• Maintain supplier pricing, lead times, purchasing records, and inventory replenishment data.
• Analyze purchasing reports and inventory trends to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Collaborate with sales, warehouse operations, and other departments to address product availability and purchasing needs.
• Recommend and support process improvements that increase purchasing efficiency and consistency across locations.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for a purchasing professional who combines strong attention to detail with analytical thinking, initiative, and a commitment to customer service.

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in purchasing, procurement, inventory management, supply chain, or a related field; equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience independently managing purchasing activities and coordinating with suppliers.
• Working knowledge of inventory replenishment, supplier lead times, purchasing controls, and inventory turnover.
• Experience using ERP or computerized purchasing systems.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including analyzing purchasing and inventory data.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate across departments.
• Ability to prioritize competing demands, exercise sound judgment, and maintain accuracy in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Purchasing or inventory management experience in wholesale distribution, industrial supply, or a related industry.
• Experience with Epicor Prophet 21 (P21) or a similar distribution ERP system.
• Experience identifying cost-saving opportunities and improving purchasing processes.
• Associate's or bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.

Why Work With Us?

At Cogent, you're not just an employee—you're an owner. As a growing, Midwest-based company, we provide innovative pumping and fluid processing solutions to Industrial, Municipal, Commercial Building Trades, and Oil & Gas markets.

Our employee-owners are our greatest strength. We value individuals who take initiative, bring ideas forward, work collaboratively, and take pride in making a difference.

What We Offer

• Employee Ownership (ESOP)
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Profit Sharing Bonuses
• Medical, Dental, Vision & Life Insurance
• Generous PTO, Paid Holidays & Volunteer Time Off
• Career Development & Advancement Opportunities
• A Culture That Values Innovation, Collaboration, and Respect

Take Ownership of Your Future

If you're an experienced purchasing professional who enjoys taking ownership of your work, finding better ways to get things done, and contributing to a team that values your expertise, we'd love to hear from you.