Purchasing Agent

North Arkansas Electric Cooperative Inc.; Salem (AR); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

North Arkansas Electric Cooperative Inc. is seeking a Purchasing Agent to manage procurement, negotiate with vendors, and oversee purchase orders and inventory. The role ensures timely delivery of materials and services to meet the needs of NAEC and NEXT departments.

The successful candidate will coordinate bidding, maintain purchasing records, support annual audits, and stay informed about industry developments to optimize value for members. This is a full‑time, on‑site position in Arkansas.

Qualifications

• High school diploma and five to seven years related work experience (or equivalent combination of education and experience) required
• Experience in warehouse, materials management supervision or related field
• Working knowledge of accounting functions and inventory control is required.

Responsibilities

• Establishes and maintains relationships with distributors to ensure material availability.
• Issues all purchase orders for goods and services.
• Maintains purchasing records.
• Coordinates quoting and purchasing including pricing, lead times, availability.
• Interviews vendors to obtain product information such as price and delivery.
• Coordinates cooperative bidding on materials, tools, vehicles and transformers.
• Assists in periodic and annual inventory.
• Supports accounting for the annual audit.
• Keeps informed on purchasing, fiber, and electric utility trends and shares with managers.

Skills

Vendor management

Negotiation

Inventory control

Data analysis

Education

High school diploma

5-7 years related work experience

Warehouse/materials management supervision

Tools

MS Excel

Databases

Word processing

Job description

Deadline to Apply: 4:30PM on Wednesday, October 7th, 2026

Summary/Purpose

Directs the procurement process by effectively and efficiently executing the quote proce4ss and the purchase order process to ensure that the needs of all NAEC & NEXT departments are met. Ensures all inventory supplies meet required specifications as well as delivery dates.

Typical Duties and Responsibilities

The following are the typical duties of this position and do not include marginal functions that are incidental to the performance of fundamental job duties and may include other duties as assigned. The scope and duties of a given position may change or be temporarily altered based on the business needs of NAEC. All employees are expected to work in a safe manner and follow all safety rules and regulations at all times. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship.

Typical responsibilities include:

• Establishes and maintains relationships with distributors of material and services to ensure the availability as needs arise.
• Issues all purchase orders for goods and services.
• Maintains purchasing records.
• Encourages feedback from employees as to the workability of material and equipment for possible changes that need be made.
• Coordinates the quoting and purchasing of equipment and material including but not limited to obtaining pricing, lead times, and availability.
• Interviews and confers with vendors and manufacturing agents to obtain product or service information such as price availability and delivery schedule.
• Coordinates Cooperative bidding process on materials, tools, vehicles and transformers.
• Assists in the periodic and annual inventory of materials.
• Assists accounting department in preparation for the annual audit.
• Keeps informed of current developments in purchasing, fiber, and the electric utility industry through literature, vendor contacts, and communications with other utilities and conveys this information to the proper department managers to assure the quality and cost of materials and supplies being purchased provide the greatest benefit to the cooperative and its membership.

Additional Responsibilities

As assigned

Qualifications

All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.

Education/Experience

• High school diploma and five to seven years related work experience (or equivalent combination of education and experience) required
• Experience in warehouse, materials management supervision or related field.
• Working knowledge of accounting functions and inventory control is required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Must be able to acquire within a reasonable time an in-depth knowledge of RUS Materials Specifications.
• Must be able to develop excellent negotiation skills in order to obtain high quality at fair prices.
• Must be able to work accurately with large volumes of figures and calculations.
• Ability to write/complete complex reports.
• Computer literate with working knowledge of word processing, databases and spreadsheets.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from employees, customers and the general public.
• Ability to solve problems and interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.
• Ability to interact with customers and other employees in a courteous and proper manner.
• Ability to project a favorable image for the Cooperative.
• Ability to plan work.
• Should have good working knowledge of all Cooperative policies and procedures and Service Rules and Regulations and Rates.
• Should be skilled in areas of planning, controlling, and scheduling functions and coordination with other department managers.
• Must possess strong communications skills, an ability to deal effectively with people, extensive problem-solving capability, and good mediation, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to accomplish a variety of projects simultaneously within established deadlines.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

General office conditions with irregular hours as deemed necessary by the position. Good dexterity to operate various pieces of equipment, including test equipment, hot-line tools, and computer equipment. Requires the physical ability of stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, grasping, manual dexterity, talking, hearing, and defined light work. Must possess a current Arkansas driver’s license and have an insurable driving record. Must be able to read instrument and computer outputs accurately. Must be able to communicate clearly and accurately for work and safety compliance. Position may require travel throughout the Cooperative’s service territory, and occasionally working long days to meet deadlines.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job, including normal office conditions. Work is occasionally outside. Sometimes there may be extreme weather conditions including wind, rain, snow, and dust, and the risk of electrical shock. Safety precautions and practices are required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate, with occasional high levels requiring hearing protection.

The purchasing agent is a safety sensitive position. NAEC is an equal opportunity provider and employer.