Purchasing Manager

Challenger School Human Resources•Sandy, UT

14d

About The Position

The Purchasing Manager manages purchasing and warehouse operations and procures supplies, equipment, and services for Challenger’s 27 campuses. The role supervises and trains the Purchasing Assistant and warehouse staff, oversees requisitions and purchasing documents, negotiates with suppliers, and coordinates purchasing activity with campus departments, the Warehouse, and Accounting. The manager forecasts needs, monitors purchasing and supplier performance, maintains purchasing and inventory records, and works to meet organizational purchasing goals while reducing waste, excess inventory, duplicate orders, and shipping costs. The role is performed across office, warehouse, and school settings, with campus visits as needed. Essential functions may be performed with or without reasonable accommodation. Employees are expected to support Challenger’s mission, values, and vision; comply with organizational policies and applicable laws; protect organizational assets and confidential information; avoid conflicts of interest; work professionally with children, colleagues, and vendors; and follow safety procedures. The description does not restrict legally protected discussions or other protected activity.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Four years of purchasing experience, five years of supervision, and five years of warehousing, or an equivalent combination demonstrating the ability to perform the role.
Experience with purchasing and accounting systems, including MAS 500 where used, Outlook, and spreadsheets; ability to learn new systems.
Knowledge of commercial law, purchasing contracts, negotiations, budgeting, and inventory controls.
Analytical, mathematical, English-language, communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills needed for the role.
Ability to evaluate bids, total costs, and purchasing data and exercise sound financial judgment.
Ability to prioritize work across campuses, departments, vendors, and deadlines with limited supervision.
Ability to work in office, warehouse, and school settings; move between work areas and visit campuses as needed.
Ability to use computers and office equipment to manage purchasing information and communicate with staff and vendors.
Ability to inspect materials, respond to safety concerns, and access storage areas, including reaching and bending as needed.
Ability to occasionally handle supplies and packages, using equipment or assistance for heavier loads.
Demonstrates integrity and accountability; shows initiative, supports Challenger’s curriculum and methods, and responds constructively to feedback.

Nice To Haves

Relevant postsecondary education in business, purchasing, accounting, or supply chain management.

Responsibilities

Supervise and train the Purchasing Assistant and warehouse staff; set priorities and monitor accuracy, productivity, and service.
Review and process authorized school and corporate requisitions accurately and on time.
Negotiate overall value based on price, quality, suitability, freight, warranty, and delivery; issue purchase orders, contracts, and blanket purchase orders within delegated authority.
Issue requests for quotations and bids (RFQs and RFBs), and evaluate responses with requesting departments against specifications and operational requirements.
Manage vendor relationships, evaluate new products, and monitor supplier pricing, quality, service, and delivery.
Consult with Directors and office staff to assess product usage, anticipate needs, and resolve purchasing problems.
Forecast demand and consolidate purchases with departments to meet purchasing goals, school-year needs, openings, and deadlines.
Track verified savings and purchasing trends; reduce waste, duplicate orders, excess inventory, and shipping costs.
Maintain purchasing, vendor, contract, and inventory records; coordinate receiving, returns, credits, and invoice discrepancies with Warehouse and Accounting.
Establish purchasing standards, preferred vendors, and procedures; report purchasing performance and recommend improvements.
Support and promote Challenger’s mission, values, and vision; comply with applicable policies and laws.
Protect organizational assets and confidential information, avoid conflicts of interest, work professionally with children, colleagues, and vendors, and follow safety procedures.