Purchaser

The Purchaser supports production and business operations by ensuring materials, supplies, and services are available when needed at the appropriate quality, cost, and lead time. The position manages purchase orders, maintains accurate purchasing records, follows up with suppliers, communicates risks and status updates, and works across departments to prevent avoidable disruptions. Success requires accuracy, organization, sound judgment, timely follow-through, proactive communication, accountability, and the ability to manage competing priorities independently.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Material      Availability and Production Support: Review material requirements and open      purchase orders daily. Analyze and Identify shortages before production is      affected. Order supplies within required supplier lead times. Communicate      any shortages, back orders and delays to management on the same business      day. Follow critical orders through resolution and document supplier      updates. Work with production and management to find alternative material      when needed. 
• Vendor Management: Document supplier confirmations, pricing,      delivery dates, lead times and terms. Respond to vendors within one      business day. Follow up on overdue, incomplete or potentially late orders.      Communicate delivery changes internally the same day. Maintain professional      and productive supplier relationships. 
• Purchasing & ERP Documentation: Maintain accurate, current      purchasing information in the ERP system. File all required purchasing      documents within one business day. Document missing information follow-up      efforts. Review open purchase orders weekly and promptly correct      discrepancies. Close completed, canceled, or outdated purchase orders      monthly. Keep purchasing records organized and easily accessible. 
• Pricing, Cost Control and Terms: Verify pricing before placing or      approving orders. Investigate significant price changes and escalate      increases of 5% or more. Obtain competitive quotes or document why they      are not appropriate. Negotiate cost savings and improved supplier terms      without affecting quality or delivery. Keep ERP pricing current and obtain      required management approvals. Identify two monthly cost-savings      opportunities and two efforts to improve supplier terms. 
• Internal Communication and Cross-Functional Support: Respond to      routine purchasing requests within one business day and critical concerns      on the same day. Provide complete and accurate purchasing updates/      Communicate potential shortages, delays and risks proactively. Collaborate      with all departments to resolve purchasing concerns. Escalate issues      requiring management support or approval within one business day. 
• Follow-Through, Prioritization and Accountability: Track open      responsibilities, deadlines and next steps. Complete assignments on time      without repeated reminders. Follow issues through resolution or proper      escalation. Provide weekly Friday resolution or proper escalation. Prioritize      work based on production needs and business impact. Notify management in      advance when competing priorities may affect deadlines. 
• Performs other duties as assigned to support departmental and      business needs.

Performance Standards

• Purchasing actions, records, status updates, and supplier      communications are accurate, complete, timely, and professionally      documented.
• Known critical purchasing requirements receive same-business-day      attention, and preventable production interruptions attributable to missed      ordering, monitoring, follow-up, communication, or prioritization are      avoided.
• Assigned responsibilities and routine purchasing work are completed      on time with minimal supervisory intervention.
• Pricing is verified, required approvals are obtained, and avoidable      losses or overpayments caused by failure to use known pricing information      are prevented.
• The employee demonstrates consistent      follow-through, sound judgment, cooperation, and timely escalation of      issues beyond the position's authority.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or      equivalent required; associate degree or related postsecondary education      preferred.
• Prior purchasing,      procurement, inventory, production support, or supply-chain experience      preferred; manufacturing experience strongly preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Primarily office-based work in a manufacturing environment, with      periodic movement through production, receiving, inventory, and storage      areas.
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, communicate, and use a computer and      standard office equipment for extended periods.
• Ability to comply with all required safety rules and wear designated      personal protective equipment when entering production areas.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified      individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the      position.

This job description summarizes the primary duties and expectations of the position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every responsibility. Duties may be changed or assigned based on business needs. Employment with Winona Powder Coating, Inc. is at will subject to applicable law and company policy.