Purchasing Agent/Buyer

Dairy Challenge; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 68,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

Dairy Challenge is seeking a procurement professional to coordinate purchasing, manage vendor relations, and optimize inventory levels. The role requires strong negotiation, analytical skills, and familiarity with Excel and SAP.

You will work closely with sales, operations, and planning teams to maintain optimal stock and ensure timely deliveries while controlling costs and improving procurement KPIs.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 1–2 years purchasing/expediting work experience.
• 3–5 years in a manufacturing environment with procurement knowledge preferred.
• Knowledge of Excel; SAP knowledge preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate purchasing activities, review requisitions, and place orders.
• Expedite orders and determine procurement methods to meet schedule changes.
• Resolve invoice issues, shipping errors, and late deliveries with stakeholders.
• Maintain appropriate inventory levels and monitor procurement KPIs.
• Negotiate prices within budget and create bidding scenarios.
• Develop storage and inventory plans to optimize freight costs.
• Maintain procurement records including costs, delivery, and quality.
• Collaborate with internal teams to address defective goods and corrective actions.
• Continuously monitor market trends to reduce prices and costs.
• Interview vendors to assess price, quality, and performance.
• Maintain supplier sources and back-up options.
• Contribute to continuous improvement in procurement strategies.

Skills

Procurement

Supply chain

Negotiation

Vendor management

Analytical skills

MS Excel

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Office

Job description

Purchase materials or other goods (raw materials, equipment, tools, parts, supplies, etc.). Partner closely with internal groups, such as sales and operational planning, strategic procurement, distribution, sales, and operations teams, to ensure that optimal inventory levels are maintained to meet business requirements. Communicate with vendors to obtain product or service information, such as price, availability, and delivery schedule.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Coordinate all purchasing activities, review and process purchase requisitions, and place purchase orders
• Recommend and/or determine method of procurement, such as direct purchase or bid Expedite orders where required to ensure constant supply against schedule changes
• Review and manage invoice issues, shipping errors, late deliveries, replacement of materials not meeting company specifications, and cancellation of orders, keeping stakeholders updated throughout the process
• Ensure appropriate inventory levels are attained and managed, meeting or exceeding procurement and inventory key performance indicators (KPIs)
• Actively participate in the resolution of aging inventory
• Negotiate prices within budgetary limitations and scope of authority; create competitive bidding situations to ensure lowest total costs
• Develop and maintain effective logistics storage and inventory plan that optimizes freight costs
• Maintain procurement records, such as items or services purchased, costs, delivery, product quality or performance, and inventories
• Discuss defective or unacceptable goods or services with internal groups, vendors, and others to determine source of trouble and take corrective action
• Monitor market standards and trends, changes in business practices of supported area(s), new sources, new systems, new or altered types of materials entering the market, etc., to identify and recommend ways of reducing prices of goods purchased and costs of operations through standardization of material and value analysis
• Maintain market intelligence and report changes in pricing levels. Identify potential problem areas or conditions which could adversely affect the company’s procurement position. Recommend and take corrective actions
• Interview existing and new vendors to obtain information regarding product quality and price and to ensure vendor performance is consistently satisfactory. Evaluate and make appropriate changes for the most cost effective and best quality service
• Maintain, re-evaluate, and expand reliable qualified sources of supply and secondary sources as back up
• Collect and compile information for vendor performance annual reviews from internal departments on the quality of vendor products and services. Initiate reports and distribute to proper personnel for their review and action
• Participate in continuous improvement projects and discussions within operational procurement and provide input into procurement strategies
• The requirements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employee, but is not a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Other duties may be assigned as required

Requirements

Education and Experience

• High School Diploma or GED required
• 1 to 2 years of purchasing/expediting work experience
• Knowledge and demonstrated abilities in various software applications, including Excel; SAP knowledge preferred
• 3 to 5 years of experience in a manufacturing environment with knowledge of blueprints and procurement practices preferred
• Certification and/or License – may be required during course of employment

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Sound knowledge of procurement, supply chain, and general business principles
• Knowledge of vendor product, services, and reliability
• Knowledge of and skill with Microsoft Office Suite and ability to operate general office equipment
• Skill in critical thinking, analysis, and problem solving
• Able to negotiate
• Able to organize time, energy, and resources effectively to achieve goals (i.e., organizational skills)
• Able to prioritize work effectively
• Able to work under tight deadlines
• Able to be flexible, dependable, and have good attendance
• Able to work independently
• Able to interact positively and work effectively with others (interpersonal skills)
• Able to respond courteously and efficiently to inquiries, complaints, and requests
• Able to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Able to work with accuracy and attention to detail
• Must be able to read, write and speak English

An Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled/Veterans

Pay Range

$68000 - $88000 / year

An Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled/Veterans

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