Senior Purchasing Agent

IWCO•Chanhassen, MN

About The Position

The Senior Purchasing Agent is responsible for purchasing raw materials, equipment, and maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) supplies to support manufacturing operations. The role procures paper products, adhesives, production supplies, equipment, and consumables; manages inventory; secures competitive market pricing and transportation costs; and ensures materials are delivered on time. The position coordinates purchasing and shipments, maintains just-in-time inventory without risking stockouts, monitors inventory and anticipates future needs, and serves as a resource for manufacturing, sales, and client services. It also maintains purchasing records in ERP systems, researches alternate products and suppliers, resolves paper claims, supports FSC paper audits and certification activities, and provides backup and mentoring support to other purchasing team members. The role works independently with limited direction and maintains professional relationships with suppliers and internal teams.

Requirements

Excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to organize and manage multiple priorities and balance changing client and company needs.
Proficiency with the Microsoft Office suite.
Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Graphic Arts, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
At least 5 years of purchasing experience in a manufacturing environment.
Previous paper-buying experience and demonstrated product and market knowledge.
Ability to work 8 hours consecutively.
Ability to sit for prolonged periods at a desk and work on a computer.

Nice To Haves

Paper industry experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Review purchasing jobs to validate paper requirements, facilitate procurement, generate purchase orders, validate purchase order costs against invoices, and suggest alternate stocks based on market availability.
Negotiate supplier pricing and facilitate quotes for client estimates as requested.
Coordinate shipments and deliveries from multiple paper sources to meet production schedules.
Maintain just-in-time stock purchasing without risking stockouts; identify, escalate, and resolve paper shortages before they affect production schedules.
Review aged and on-hand inventory regularly and anticipate needs using current and historical data.
Serve as a key paper and related inventory resource for manufacturing, sales, and client services.
Maintain accurate transaction records in ERP systems, such as Foundation/Monarch, Verticent, or PSI.
Research alternative products and suppliers as needed or assigned.
Provide backup support for other Paper Purchasing Agents as needed.
Execute paper claims resolution and processing with suppliers.
Support FSC paper audit and certification activities for operations.
Establish and maintain professional relationships with suppliers and internal teams.
Act as the key point of contact for assigned commodities with scheduling, operations, or management.
Work independently, managing activities with limited direction while achieving operational and department objectives.
Mentor and train other team members.
Perform other related duties as applicable or assigned.