Strategic Purchasing Specialist

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

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.