Purchasing Agent - PDI - Kitchen, Bath, & Lighting : Job Details

Function: As a Purchasing Agent, your primary responsibility is to procure inventory and materials required for the company's operations. You will be tasked with sourcing suppliers, processing purchase orders, managing vendor relationships, and ensuring that inventory levels meet demand while optimizing costs and maintaining quality standards.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Identify, evaluate, and select suppliers for plumbing fixtures, lighting fixtures, appliances, and related products. Conduct supplier assessments, including capabilities, reliability, quality standards, and pricing competitiveness. Source new suppliers to expand vendor base and mitigate supply chain risks.
• Generate purchase orders for inventory replenishment and special orders, ensuring the accuracy of product specifications, quantities, and pricing. Monitor purchase order status, track order progress, and expedite delivery as needed to meet production and customer demand requirements.
• Collaborate with inventory control analysts and sales teams to develop procurement plans, demand forecasts, and inventory replenishment strategies. Ensure that inventory levels align with demand forecasts and safety stock requirements to prevent stockouts and minimize excess inventory.
• Cultivate strong relationships with key suppliers and vendors, fostering open communication, collaboration, and mutual trust. Address supplier performance issues, resolve disputes and implement corrective actions to maintain vendor compliance and service levels.
• Ensure that purchased products meet quality standards, specifications, and regulatory requirements. Conduct supplier audits, inspections, and quality checks to verify product quality and compliance with company standards and industry regulations.
• Analyze procurement costs, pricing trends, and market conditions to identify cost-saving opportunities and strategic sourcing initiatives. Implement cost reduction strategies, such as competitive bidding, supplier consolidation, and value engineering, to optimize procurement costs and increase profitability.
• Work closely with inventory control analysts to monitor inventory levels, turnover rates, and stock movements. Collaborate on inventory optimization strategies, such as safety stock calculations, reorder point analysis, and inventory turnover improvement initiatives.
• Maintain accurate records of purchasing activities, including purchase orders, contracts, pricing agreements, and vendor communications. Prepare procurement reports, metrics, and analyses to track procurement performance, vendor performance, and cost savings initiatives.

Position Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, business administration, or related field (preferred).
• Previous experience in purchasing, procurement, or supply chain management, preferably in the plumbing, lighting, or appliance supply industry.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.
• Proficiency in procurement software, ERP systems, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Knowledge of procurement principles, sourcing strategies, and contract management.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to analyze data, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.