Buyer

Summary/Objective

The Buyer position is responsible for purchasing, analyzing, negotiating and being a deal maker. The buyer researches, evaluates and buys products for the company to either resell to customers or use in their everyday operations.

Essential Functions

• Evaluate supplier quotes and services to determine most desirable suppliers.
• May negotiate materials, equipment and supplies from suppliers.
• Follow up with suppliers concerning order status and delivery and communicate delivery information to impact Wholesale Electric departments.
• Maintain accurate purchasing, pricing and cost data on applicable company systems.
• Enter purchase orders based on purchasing procedures and decisions made using Wholesale Electric purchasing system reports and inventory classification of the data. Enter purchase orders for special order items entered onto all of the distribution centers. Ship material from other Distribution Centers by using the shared inventory.
• Ensure that all electric data interchange, automated stock replenishment, and faxed orders reach the supplier.
• Review daily supplier shipping error notices and take appropriate action.
• Review quarterly excess/obsolete inventory reports and negotiate with suppliers to obtain return goods authorizations on excess material.
• Coordinate product replacements and product recalls.
• Review all unit of measure problems.
• Assist the Purchasing Manager with evaluating supplier performance related to on-time delivery, fill rates and errors, transfer cost improvements, branch support, and other measures.
• Comply with Wholesale Electric standard policies, procedures, internal audit and quality control processes. Understand and support ISO standards and support Wholesale Electric procedures for document control, purchasing, process control, corrective and preventative action, and control of quality records.

Competencies

• Knowledge of purchasing and inventory concepts, practices, and procedures in the electrical industry.
• Knowledge of industry including suppliers, customers and competitors
• Knowledge of business performance measures
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong negotiation skills
• Strong problem solving skills
• Strong analytical skills
• Strong computer skills, including purchasing and inventory management systems, programs and reports
• Ability to exercise judgement
• Strong analytical and interpretation skills of complex data

Supervisory Responsibility

The Buyer position does not have any direct supervisory responsibilities.

Working conditions

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand and walk.

This is a largely sedentary role; however, some filing is required. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bending or standing on a stool as necessary.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is a full time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm. The employee must work 40 hours each week to maintain full-time status. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

Education and Experience

• 1-2 years previous purchasing with supply chain environment experience, preferred
• 1-2 years Electrical supply experience preferred
• High school diploma or GED, required