Purchasing Specialist

Factory Motor Parts Careers•Saint Paul, MN

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Purchasing Specialist will be responsible for planning and forecasting inventory levels, generating accurate purchase orders, and ensuring operational continuity by preventing stockouts. This role involves establishing and maintaining strong supplier relationships, expediting deliveries, and reducing the Cost of Goods through competitive sourcing. The specialist will also process requisitions and purchase orders, assist with invoice reconciliation, and coordinate railcar logistics. Additionally, the position requires performing regular inventory audits, conducting monthly counts, processing adjustments, and analyzing scrap and inventory trends to improve operational efficiency. Customer service duties include answering phone calls and assisting walk-in customers, as well as managing office and facility supplies and maintaining shipping documentation.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business or related discipline
1-3 years related experience in logistics/supply chain management
Previous experience with purchasing commodities
Comfort level with a very high volume, fast paced operation in a time sensitive environment
Excellent interpersonal and problem solving skills, written and verbal communication skills
High level of proficiency with Microsoft Office Products, particularly Excel and PowerPoint
Strong analytical & problem solving skills
Ability to build strong internal relationships and work collectively/collaboratively across the organization
Stamina to sit and to maintain attention to detail despite interruptions
Good written and verbal communication skills
Ability to multitask and coordinate time sensitive duties
Experience analyzing and documenting medium to complex business processes or problems using intermediate to advanced statistical and analytical modeling techniques and with a focus on detail, cost drivers, and total cost of ownership
Ability to effectively communicate, both written and verbally, with customers and stakeholders to build strong internal and external relationships while maintaining a high sense of urgency and customer focus
Ability to effectively manage multiple projects or tasks with varying and sometimes competing timelines

Responsibilities

Plan and forecast inventory levels of purchasing needs
Generate accurate purchase orders, with items, prices and vendors
Process purchase orders to ensure no disruptions in Operations due to out of stock materials
Establish and maintain effective supplier relationships with external suppliers
Work with vendors to expedite deliveries, when needed
Reduce Cost of Goods through cost competitive sourcing
Process requisitions, purchase orders and assist with invoice reconciliation
Gain understanding of each supplier’s internal supply chain processes
Coordinate railcar logistics, including tracking shipments, ordering railcars, and releasing railcars as needed
Perform regular audits on inventory and supplies
Conduct monthly inventory counts and process inventory adjustments to maintain accurate stock records
Analyze scrap rate and inventory trends to identify patterns, support decision-making, and improve operational efficiency
Answer incoming customer phone calls and provide prompt, professional assistance
Greet and assist walk-in customers, ensuring a positive customer experience
Maintain office operations by ordering and managing office and facility supplies
Scan, organize, and maintain shipping documentation and related records