MUST BE US CITIZEN OR GREEN CARD HOLDER

Job Summary:

The Purchasing Specialist is responsible for driving sourcing initiatives, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring the procurement of high-quality goods and services at competitive prices. This role includes developing and managing sourcing strategies, negotiating contracts, ensuring compliance with quality standards, and collaborating with internal teams to streamline procurement processes.

Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Business, or related field and/or a minimum of three (3) years’ experience of retail procurement duties, including strong negotiation, analytical and decision-making skills. Must demonstrate a solid understanding of contract negotiations and monitor order fulfillment to meet company standards, along with the ability to manage vendor relationships and lead sourcing initiatives. Must possess the ability to process optimization and work with cross-functional teams.

Essential Elements of the Job:

Responsibilities

• Sourcing & Supplier Evaluation: Drive sourcing initiatives to identify, evaluate, and onboard new suppliers, optimizing supply costs, quality, and performance outcomes.
• Request for Quotation (RFQ) & Proposal (RFP): Design and conduct RFQs and RFPs that support the innovation process and meet key organizational objectives.
• Contract Negotiation: Negotiate supplier contracts, pricing, and delivery terms, ensuring the best possible outcomes for the organization.
• Vendor Onboarding: Implement an effective onboarding process for selected vendors to ensure smooth integration and alignment with company goals.
• Supplier Relationship Management: Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers to ensure effective communication and collaboration, addressing risks and optimizing opportunities.
• Quality Assurance: Work closely with the Quality Assurance team to inspect deliveries and ensure that goods meet specifications and order requirements.
• Performance Monitoring: Develop strong relationships with suppliers and measure their performance against key criteria such as cost, quality, delivery, and service levels.
• Issue Resolution: Communicate with suppliers to address and resolve supply issues, working cross-functionally with internal teams (finance, sales, and operations) to resolve concerns promptly.
• Product Research: Research product availability, compliance with standards, and competitive pricing to ensure the organization obtains the best value.
• Bid Management: Conduct informal bids as necessary, evaluating suppliers’ proposals and ensuring the best options for the company.
• Vendor Relations: Maintain strong vendor relations by resolving any issues or discrepancies with orders in a timely manner.

Job Skills and Work Relations:

Employee must demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills, including negotiations and effectively handle multiple tasks simultaneously. Must possess strong negotiations, collaboration, problem solving and presentation skills. Must be able to adapt to a dynamic and changing work environment and be a proven self-starter with the initiative to meet tight deadlines. Proficiency in inventory management and forecasting software. Proficient with Microsoft Outlook, ERP systems, Excel, PowerPoint and other related supply chain management software/tools. Employee must be innovative, have initiative, display professionalism and maintain confidentially at all times, all the while, strongly supportive of company culture and values.

Employee reports directly to the Director of Supply Chain