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Sourcing Specialist (Purchasing Agent)

Budnick Converting, Inc., headquartered in Columbia, IL (in the St. Louis, MO metropolitan area), is a privately held and female owned corporation. Budnick’s primary focus is specialty converting of adhesive coated tapes and foams. Budnick remains on the leading edge of adhesive tape converting technology; currently utilizing over 70 die-cutting, slitting, laminating, printing (including flexographic printing), label making and spooling machines to convert materials into labor saving customized parts. For more information on Budnick, please visit our website at www.budnick.com.

POSITION PURPOSE: A Sourcing Specialist is responsible for identifying and evaluating potential suppliers to ensure the organization receives the best products or services at the most competitive prices. This role involves conducting market research, analyzing data, assessing supplier capabilities, and negotiating terms to establish favorable purchasing agreements. The Sourcing Specialist plays a critical role in building and maintaining strong supplier relationships while managing risks and opportunities associated with the sourcing process.

QUANTITATIVE DATA: Must be able to remain in a stationary sitting/standing position for 75% of the time working in an office environment. Must be able to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc., Constantly operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine and computer printer. This position requires frequent communication with customers and other employees; must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations. Limited travel to vendor training, audits and/or meetings is expected.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Estimation Support:

Review Request for Quotation (RFQ) from customers and analyze specifications to estimate material volume requirements.
Select the correct material format based on volume and application, ensuring alignment with blueprint or customer requirements.
Collaborate with vendors when necessary to provide an accurate cost estimation for the required materials.

Sourcing Raw Materials:

Source raw materials, negotiate favorable pricing, freight terms, and minimum order requirements with suppliers.
Ensure sourcing decisions align with the organization's goals and cost-saving initiatives.
Analyze supplier proposals and pricing structures, considering factors such as total cost of ownership, lead times, and overall supply chain impact.
Make informed decisions on sourcing options that optimize cost efficiency without compromising quality.
Seek opportunities for value creation through innovative sourcing methods, alternative suppliers, and improved sourcing processes.

ERP System Updates:

Responsible for entering new raw material costs into the ERP system when cost-saving opportunities arise.
Setup of new purchased parts in the ERP system
Adjust raw material costs in the ERP system, with purchasing and inventory manager approval, ensuring accurate tracking of materials and costs.

Industry Trends and Market Research

Stay updated on industry trends, market conditions, and emerging technologies to make informed sourcing recommendations.
Attend relevant trade shows (such as GFA and Foam Expo) to gather insights and identify new suppliers, products, and opportunities.

Supplier Identification and Management:

Collaborate with the Purchasing and Inventory Manager to identify potential suppliers, evaluating cost, quality, reliability, capacity, delivery, and financial stability.
Develop supplier options (A, B, and C) for each commodity to ensure competitive sourcing and flexibility.
Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers, including vendor sales representatives and executives.
Work closely with suppliers to ensure products or services meet established quality standards and customer specifications.

Risk Management:

Identify potential risks in the supply chain (such as supply disruptions, cost fluctuations, and geopolitical factors).

Documentation and Record Keeping:

Save all supplier quotations and procurement documentation in the company’s file vault in a consistent and organized format, following company requirements.
Maintain up-to-date purchasing information, ensuring easy access for future reference.
Provide regular reports on sourcing activities, savings, and supplier performance to management.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

Perform duties safely and maintain a high level of safety awareness. Providing for the safety of the workers and the property.
Support pricing team and T3 initiatives.
Mentor and support members of the purchasing department by sharing knowledge about the industry, suppliers, and materials utilized by the company.
Assist in the training and mentorship of new sourcing specialists to the team.
Identify and recommend new equipment to improve product costs, facilitate the production of new materials, or meet a customer requirement.
Order sample requests as required to confirm and evaluate materials.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS:

Skills: Strong communication and negotiation skills and experience managing supplier relationships. Knowledge of supply chain management principles & practices. Interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate with various stakeholders. Working competency with purchasing ERP software and tools. Have a strong customer satisfaction focus.

Ability: Excellent analytical skills with the ability to assess complex data and market trends. Ability to manage multiple sourcing projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Conduct business in a professional, positive and courteous manner. Listen effectively, respond clearly, write legibly and read a variety of written orders/instructions. Adapt to interruptions, changes, emergencies, repetition and pressure without losing effectiveness and composure. Quickly grasp new concepts, approaches or systems. Employ resourcefulness when problem solving to meet customer needs.

Education: High School diploma or equivalent required. Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, or related field preferred.

Experience: 3-5 years of experience in materials sourcing, procurement or supply chain management preferred.

Hours: 8:00am – 4:30pm (in-office position)

FLSA Class: Non-Exempt

Reports To: Purchasing & Inventory Manager

Salary: $25-30/hr., paid bi-weekly, depending on experience.

BENEFITS: We offer a full-benefit package including the following benefits that are paid 100% by the company: vacation, holidays, $25,000 in life insurance and short-term and long-term disability benefits. We also offer medical (premium cost shared with the company – we pay 99% of premiums for employee basic plan), dental & vision insurance. Insurance benefits start on the 1st of the month after 60 days of employment. 401K retirement plan with a company match of 25% of the 1st 6% the employee contributes (match starts bi-annually after 1 year of employment). Reimbursement of travel expenses that includes meals, flights, rental cars, gas and hotels. Profit sharing starts after an employee has been with the company for 3 full years.

Our work environment includes:

Modern office setting
Casual work attire
Regular social events
Relaxed atmosphere
On the job training
On-site work out equipment
Safe work environment

Interested Candidates should apply on-line at www.budnick.com, under About Us - Careers.

Equal Opportunity Employer

THE ABOVE STATEMENTS ARE INTENDED TO DESCRIBE THE GENERAL NATURE AND LEVEL OF WORK PERFORMED BY PEOPLE ASSIGNED TO THIS CLASSIFICATION. THEY ARE NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF ALL JOB DUTIES PERFORMED BY THE PERSONNEL SO CLASSIFIED.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $25.00 - $30.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits: