Purchasing Agent II

Company: Kaiser Aluminum Corporation
Location: Kalamazoo
Posted on: September 22, 2022

Job Description:

The purpose of the Purchasing Agent II is to oversee and ensure the use of standard purchasing practices for procurement at Kaiser Aluminum. The Purchasing Agent II will provide a high level of service while supporting plant and corporate requisitioners across multiple sites, provide commercial support for projects, and be responsible for purchasing terms, contract language, negotiations, supplier management, cost tracking, and expediting as required. Work shall be performed in compliance with all policies and procedures, with an emphasis on accuracy and expeditiously to meet departmental and plant needs and timelines.

The Purchasing Agent II essential functions include:

* Ensure purchase orders (PO's) are requisitioned and approved with appropriate Delegation of Authority.
* Develop PO's per company policy for material purchases, services contracts including professional and environmental, construction, rentals, and equipment as required.
* Utilize existing templates for consistency in purchase order and contract language.
* Develops and sources suppliers to meet cost, quality and performance objectives.
* Prepares Bid Packages and solicits proposals from suppliers, coordinating evaluation and selection with plant internal technical representatives in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures.
* Liaison between suppliers and internal plant personnel to obtain product specifications or service information such as price, availability, and delivery schedule.
* Facilitates conflict resolution to determine root cause and corrective actions.
* Monitor, document and manage supplier performance both formally and informally to ensure highest levels of service and supply.
* Maintain records for purchase orders, contracts and suppliers in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures.
* Utilize Lean Manufacturing Tools and other Continuous Improvement techniques to improve administrative processes, distribution, and cost efficiency.

EDUCATION A Bachelor's Degree in business or technical field is required.

EXPERIENCE This individual will possess:

* A minimum of four years purchasing experience is preferred.
* Experience with purchasing expediting, contracting, and cost tracking.
* An ability to plan for and use resources efficiently, always looking for ways to reduce costs.
* Mechanical aptitude is a plus.
* Self-motivated with internal drive to begin and complete tasks without external prompting.
* Lean manufacturing experience preferred.
* Data analysis and presentation skills; ability to create accurate and punctual reports.
* Proven ability to drive change in an organization, generate new ideas, challenge the status quo, encourage innovation, solve problems creatively, and support change.
* Analytical skills, an ability to understand underlying issues and complex processes, and know the difference between critical details and less important facts.
* An ability to work across multiple locations with a high degree of detail and collaboration to support customers needs.
* Exceptional verbal and written communication skills; good listening skills.
* High attention to detail; will continuously look for improvements and find root cause of quality problems.
* An ability to ensure commitments to customers and build customer confidence.
* Proven ability to work in teams, meet all responsibilities, listen to others and value opinions, help others to meet goals, and promote a team atmosphere.
* Demonstrated leadership skills.
* Positive negotiation skills and the ability to stay focused on a positive outcome.
* Excellent decision making skills; will recognize problems and respond, making timely decisions.
* Proven ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, keeping information organized and accessible.
* Strong PC skills, including Windows, Word, PowerPoint, Visio, Access, and Excel.

About Kaiser Aluminum: Talented people join our team because we are a company passionate about environmental sustainability, employee growth, contributing back to our communities and championing a diverse and inclusive culture. We are strongly committed to expanding inclusion, equity, and diversity - how we hire, develop, and inspire our diverse team members that reflects and relates to the increasingly multicultural community.

Keywords: Kaiser Aluminum Corporation, Kalamazoo , Purchasing Agent II, Sales , Kalamazoo, Michigan