Purchasing Agent Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED
• 3-5 years’ experience in a Purchasing Agent capacity or similar role
• Advanced budgeting, negotiation, bargaining and decision-making skills.
• Ability to develop strong relationships with stakeholders, vendors, and suppliers.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Resourceful.
• Strong research and analytical skills and ability to problem solve.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Keen eye for detail and a commercial mindset.
• Ability to balance competing priorities, multitask, and to work under pressure.
• Able to demonstrate flexibility and creativity when called upon.
• Understanding of Indigenous cultures, traditions, and contemporary issues.
• Experience working within Indigenous communities and applying culturally safe practices.
• Valid class 5 driver's license and have access to safe and reliable transportation, insured for community-based use.

Nice To Haves

• Certificate or Diploma in business administration, Commerce, Management, Accounting, Economics or other equivalent Post-Secondary Education is an asset.
• Indigenous candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Lived experience as a member of a First Nations community.
• Knowledge and understanding of Seabird Island’s culture, traditions, teachings, community dynamics.
• Ability to respond quickly and professionally to community or colleague needs and inquiries.
• Excellent writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the development of cost-effective purchasing strategies.
• Review and evaluate current procurement activities and recommend improvements when and where required.
• Purchase the highest quality goods/materials/supplies at the lowest possible price and in the specified amounts.
• Prepare and implement effective negotiation tactics in the purchasing of goods and supplies.
• Negotiate or renegotiate, and administer contracts with suppliers, vendors, and other representatives.
• Prepare purchase orders, solicit bid proposals, and review requisitions for goods and services.
• Prepare purchase orders by verifying specifications and price; obtaining recommendations from suppliers for substitute items; obtaining approval from requisitioning department.
• Complete coding on purchase orders and invoicing as required.
• Submit goods and service orders as required.
• Research and evaluate suppliers based on price, quality, selection, service, support, availability, reliability, production and distribution capacities, and the supplier’s reputation and history.
• Manage relationships with key suppliers/vendors to maintain quality of goods, timely delivery, and compliance to terms of contract.
• Coordinate with suppliers to resolve any performance/standards related issues.
• Develop contract terms and conditions and administer contract changes as required.
• Prepare contract agreements and other documentation as needed.
• Analyze price proposals, financial reports, and other data and information to determine reasonable prices.
• Monitor and follow applicable laws and regulations.
• Ensure compliance with purchasing/procurement/financial procedures and contract requirements.
• Verify purchase requisitions by comparing items to master list; clarifying unclear items; resolve shipment errors; and recommend alternatives as needed.
• Monitor shipments to ensure that goods come in on time, and in the event of problems, trace shipments, expedite orders and follow-up on undelivered goods.
• Confer with staff, users, and vendors to discuss defective or unacceptable goods or services and determine corrective action.
• Evaluate and monitor contract performance to ensure compliance with contractual obligations and to determine the need for changes.
• Manage, maintain, and review records of items purchased, costs, delivery times, product performance and inventories, updating records as required.
• Review catalogs, industry periodicals, directories, trade journals, and internet sites, and consult with other department personnel to locate necessary goods and services.
• Interview vendors and visit suppliers’ distribution centers to examine and learn about products, goods, services and prices.
• Arrange the payment of goods and services, duty and freight charges, as required.
• Write and review product specifications, maintaining a working technical knowledge of the goods or services to be purchased.
• Monitor changes affecting supply and demand, tracking market conditions, price trends, or future markets.
• Assist with the implementation of policies and procedures for bid proposals and the procurement of goods and services.
• Attend meetings, trade shows/events/fairs, exhibitions, conferences, conventions, and seminars as required.
• Prepare and submit detailed reports (annual report, revenues, buying expenditures, etc.) as required.
• Additional responsibilities as needed to support the community and uphold our shared values.