Purchasing Specialist I - Birmingham, AL

Reliance, Inc.; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Reliance, Inc. is seeking a Purchasing professional in Birmingham, AL to compile material requests, prepare purchase orders, and track orders with suppliers. You will coordinate deliveries, assess bids, and maintain stock while following company purchasing procedures and safety policies.

The role requires 0–5 years of relevant experience, a high school diploma, and strong MS Office skills. Excellent communication and teamwork are essential to support internal customers and operations.

Qualifications

• 0-5 years of relevant experience or equivalent education and experience.
• High School diploma or GED is required.
• Understanding of basic purchasing concepts and procedures.
• Basic knowledge of purchasing practices, methods and procedures.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and manage time effectively.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills are required.
• Ability to make sound decisions based on analysis, knowledge, experience, and judgment.
• Ability to build cooperative relationships with coworkers and customers.
• Strong computer proficiency and working knowledge of Microsoft applications.

Responsibilities

• Compiles requests for materials and prepares required purchase orders.
• Tracks purchase requests using appropriate tracking mechanisms.
• Responds to customer and supplier inquiries about order status, changes, or cancellations promptly.
• Gathers information to draw up purchase orders for procurement of materials/services.
• Coordinates and assists with scheduling deliveries to ensure on-time arrival.
• Gathers prices, specs, and delivery dates to determine best bid.
• Tracks requisitions, contracts, and orders and calculates costs.
• Assists with preparing documents/records for review and distribution.
• Enter shop orders.
• Researches sales records and inventory to maintain stock levels.
• Helps ensure compliance with company purchasing procedures and safety policies.

Skills

Purchasing basics

Multi-tasking

Communication

Decision making

Teamwork

MS Office

Education

High School diploma/GED

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

PowerPoint

Job description

Job Summary

This job is in the Purchasing job family (Department), which includes positions that involve supervising or performing work to acquire supplies, services, and construction by purchase, rental, or lease through orders and/or small purchase procedures. The work requires knowledge of policies and procedures for delivery orders and small purchases as well as knowledge of commercial supply sources and common business practices related to sales, prices, discounts, units of measurement, deliveries, stocks, and shipments.

Physical Requirements

Stand or Sit(Stationary position), Walk(Move, Traverse), Use hand/fingers to handle or feel (Operate, Activate, Use, Prepare, Inspect, Place, Detect, Position), Talk/hear(Communicate, Detect, Converse with, Discern, Convey, Express oneself, Exchange information), See (Detect, Determine, Perceive, Identify, Recognize, Judge, Observe, Inspect, Estimate, Assess), Reaching, Repetitive Motion

Function in the Job

Sedentary Work- Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Job Function

• Compiles requests for materials and prepares required purchase orders.
• Tracks purchase requests using appropriate tracking mechanism(s).
• Responds to customer and supplier inquiries about order status, changes, or cancellations in a timely manner.
• Gathers information and records to draw up purchase orders for procurement of materials and services.
• Coordinates and assists with scheduling of deliveries to help ensure purchases arrive on schedule.
• Gathers prices, specifications, and delivery dates to assist with the determination of the best bid.
• Tracks the status of requisitions, contracts, and orders and calculates relevant costs.
• Assists with preparation of documents/records for review, duplication, and distribution as appropriate.
• Enter shop orders
• Research sales records and inventory levels of current stock to ensure inventory is maintained.
• Assists with maintaining compliance with company policies and purchasing procedures.
• Responsible for adhering to safety processes and protocols.
• All other duties and responsibilities assigned by management.

Required Skills

• 0-5 years of relevant experience or any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities required.
• High School diploma/GED required.
• Understanding of basic concepts and principles pertinent to purchasing operations required.
• Basic knowledge of purchasing practices, methods and procedures preferred required.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and manage time effectively required.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills required.
• Ability to make sound decisions based on a combination of factors including analysis, knowledge and experience, and judgment required.
• Ability to initiate and maintain cooperative relationships with co-workers as well as internal/external customers required.
• Strong computer proficiency and working knowledge of Microsoft applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) required.

EEO Statement

Reliance, Inc. IS A DRUG-FREE WORK ENVIRONMENT EEO/DISABILITY/VETERAN