United Pipe & Steel is part of the Reliance, Inc. family of companies. Our mission is to be a best-in-class distributor, delivering a competitively priced and diverse mix of high-quality pipe and tube products on our fleet with the shortest lead times to wholesale distributors.
Job Summary
We are searching for an outgoing and energetic individual with strong forecasting ability to join our Purchasing team! The ideal candidate for this position will have excellent communication skills and will be proficient in Microsoft Excel. The Purchasing Specialist II is a perfect position for an intermediate-level professional looking for further advancement in their purchasing career.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Ensure efficient and cost-effective procurement of material to support ongoing operations.
- Conduct competitive analysis to recommend vendors.
- Negotiate with vendors to secure the best prices and terms for the organization and perform a basic review of current contracts; make recommendations to modify contract terms and conditions where applicable.
- Manage vendor performance to control costs, enhance service quality, and mitigate risks.
- Schedule and facilitate vendor reviews, manage performance, and address appropriate resolutions.
- Communicate organizational needs to vendors.
- Prepare forecasts and create purchase orders.
- Confirm all purchase orders for accurate quantities, pricing, and delivery information.
- Update the system with accurate delivery dates.
- Expedite material with vendors to service back orders and low stock positions.
- Monitor inventory levels and determine buying or transferring needs.
- Create transfers for material movement.
- Collaborate with vendors and sales teams to minimize obsolete inventory.
- Relay information regarding production and delivery delays to all relevant departments.
- Reconcile problems that occur during the purchasing process with respective warehouses, including defective material and shipping variances.
- Create and maintain reports for tracking and analysis.
- Foster and maintain positive, long-term, vendor relations.
- Recommend and implement cost-saving strategies and initiatives.
- Support other members of the team to achieve department goals.
- Maintain confidentiality and information security while exercising discretion.
- Adhere to safety processes and protocols.
- All other duties and responsibilities assigned by management.
Required & Preferred Qualifications:
- 5 - 10 years of relevant purchasing experience required.
- High School diploma/GED required; bachelor’s degree preferred.
- Broad knowledge of purchasing, laws, policies, regulations, practices, methods, and procedures.
- Familiarity with contract types and applicability of usage.
- Expertise in applicable sources, prices, market factors, and product, characteristics
- Knowledge of forecasting concepts and ability to build a forecast.
- Ability to make sound decisions by integrating analysis, knowledge, experience, and judgment.
- Experience with ERP systems; Profit 21 experience a plus.
- Proficient in Microsoft 365 Office apps, with advanced knowledge of Excel
- Able to work both independently and as part of a team.
- High level of interpersonal skills; ability to initiate and maintain cooperative relationships with colleagues and vendors.
- Excellent research, analytical, and negotiating skills.
- Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to multi-task is a must.
Physical Requirements:
- Must be able to pass a background check and drug screening.
- Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds times.
Travel Requirements:
Benefits
- Affordable and comprehensive medical insurance
- Vision, Dental, Short-term Disability & Life insurance included
- 401K plan with employer-matching contributions
- Paid vacation, sick, and holiday time
Schedule
Job Type: Full-time
United Pipe & Steel is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $60,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Monday to Friday
Application Question(s):
- Do you have experience with Forecasting on Demand?
Experience:
- Forecasting: 2 years (Required)
- Purchasing: 3 years (Required)
Work Location: In person