The Purchasing Specialist is a broad role with high visibility, reporting to the COO. This person is responsible for procuring goods and services for our client with assigned vendors and manufacturing partners. Communicate and negotiate with vendors and manufacturing partners to minimize costs while collaborating with internal teams to maintain appropriate inventory levels. Support new business growth by coordinating new business activity between internal sales, engineering teams, and related manufacturing partners.
A hybrid work arrangement is available: Remote (2 days) / in-office (3 days) per week. The office is in Plymouth, MN.
Roles & Responsibilities:
- Develop and maintain professional relationships with vendors, suppliers, customers, co-workers, and management.
- Coordinate activities involved with procuring goods and services such as materials, tooling, equipment, parts, and supplies.
- Lead activities in support of new business opportunities between internal sales teams and related external manufacturing partners.
- Communicate and negotiate with vendors and manufacturing partners to obtain information about products or services, such as price, availability, and delivery schedule.
- Company liaison and key contact for vendor and manufacturing partner questions and concerns.
- Support the coordination of planning for product movement both domestically and internationally.
- Enter purchase orders for pre-production approval parts, first article parts, prototypes, tooling, agency, and production requirements.
- Schedule and track purchase orders according to inventory requirements.
- Verify and follow up on existing purchase orders to ensure accuracy and on-time delivery.
- Develop solutions to problems that arise, such as shipping errors, delays, or pricing errors.
- Assist the Quality team as needed with correspondence to manufacturing partners regarding quality issues.
- Complete customer compliance requests, such as ROHS, NAFTA, REACH, Conflict Minerals, etc.
- Responsible for month-end activities, including inventory, warehouse, purchase orders, and assisting with accounting as needed.
- Assist with controlling and minimizing inventory and freight costs.
- Work directly in support of operations.
Required Skills & Experience:
- Bachelor's degree, business-related (or equivalent experience)
- 3+ years of experience in purchasing, procurement, supply chain, or inventory control
- Experience with ERP/MRP and Microsoft Office applications is needed.
- Strong time management, organizational, and prioritization skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills and strong negotiation skills
- Have initiative, be proactive, and anticipate changes or needs.
- Multi-tasking ability while still meeting deadlines and performing with a sense of urgency.
- Creative problem solver
- Effective working independently and as part of a team
- Experience with an international supply base is a plus.
- The travel requirement is less than 10%, which includes international travel.
About Versique:
At Versique, we believe people are more than a resume. People invent, propel, unearth, and build. They transform teams, markets, industries, and bottom lines. People do more than fill an open position. They open greater potential. We're here to help fill your human potential and build your human capacity. The Versique brand represents a powerful combination of "versatile" and "unique," hinting at the concept of "search" in its pronunciation.
In 2023, Versique made the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies, and the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal's Fast 50 list for fastest-growing private companies in Minnesota. Additionally, for the past four years, Versique has been recognized as a Star Tribune Top Workplace and awarded a Best Place to Work in 2022 by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, which speaks to the incredible culture we've fostered.
We believe people are the ultimate business advantage. Let's find your people together. And make the best possible.
Versique is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse workforce. We consider all qualified applicants regardless of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status, among other factors.
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