Purchasing Agent

INTERSTATE PACKAGING COMPANY•White Bluff, TN

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Purchasing Agent serves as a key liaison between external suppliers and internal departments, supporting procurement decisions, cost evaluations, and inventory control. The role requires mathematical accuracy and analytical precision. The agent negotiates purchasing terms and ensures procurement activities meet production schedules and quality standards. The Purchasing Agent analyzes supplier pricing and costs, forecasts inventory needs, maintains purchasing and vendor records, and monitors procurement performance. The role uses the Axapta ERP system and works with production and quality teams to address material allocations and product quality issues.

Requirements

Associate or bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, Mathematics, or a related field.
Prior purchasing experience in a manufacturing environment is required.
Strong analytical and mathematical skills, with attention to numerical accuracy.
Proficiency with Excel, including pivot tables, VLOOKUP, and formulas, and ERP systems.
Ability to evaluate and interpret data trends, cost models, and usage patterns.
Demonstrated experience working in deadline-driven, cross-functional environments.
Advanced math skills for cost comparison, unit conversions, material yield calculations, and pricing analysis.
Ability to set precise standards for raw material specifications based on production needs.
Critical-thinking and problem-solving skills involving multiple variables and constraints.
Ability to comprehend technical product details and supplier specifications.
Detail-oriented approach focused on reducing errors in purchasing records and inventory tracking.
Strong communication skills to convey numeric data and procurement decisions to stakeholders.
Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities under pressure.

Nice To Haves

Prior purchasing experience in the flexographic printing and packaging industry is preferred.
Experience with Axapta ERP systems is preferred.

Responsibilities

Analyze price proposals, supplier quotes, and cost structures to determine fair and accurate pricing.
Evaluate supplier performance based on cost, quality, lead time, and compliance with standards.
Use mathematical models to forecast inventory needs based on production demands and usage trends.
Negotiate pricing, volume discounts, and delivery terms to reduce total cost of ownership.
Audit vendor invoices against purchase orders and receipts for mathematical accuracy.
Create and maintain precise purchase orders with defined material specifications and cost parameters.
Maintain and update vendor master data, including pricing tiers, minimum order quantities, lead times, and cost structures.
Conduct variance analysis to compare actual spend against budget and identify discrepancies.
Review production work orders for material allocations and ensure correct inventory valuation.
Monitor and analyze inventory turnover, usage rates, and reorder points to minimize waste and overstocking.
Track and report KPIs related to cost savings, supplier reliability, and procurement accuracy.
Use the Axapta ERP system to manage item setups, including material yield, mil thickness, supplier codes, and order configurations.
Partner with production and quality teams to evaluate defective products and resolve quality issues.