Purchasing Assistant

Purchasing Assistant

12month initial contract/ temp to perm

M-F 8am-5pm

Remote position for office in Austin Texas

$21-$24/HR based on health benefit package

Orion is now hiring for a Purchasing Assistant to work onsite for our intravenous medical device manufacturer in Austin, TX.

The Purchasing Assistant will work as an express legal agent of the Company that obtains adequate and dependable sources of supplies, spare parts, equipment and services while maintaining an optimum balance of quality, utility and cost of ownership.

The Purchasing Assistant will need to apply sound purchasing principles, practices and techniques to this position while working independently with minimal supervision.

Purchasing Assistant Responsibilities:

• Negotiates prices, terms and conditions, issues purchase orders and contracts with strategic sources, expedites orders, reviews supplier performance, organizes and coordinates work flow under the guidance of Purchasing Management.
• Has multi-million dollar annual purchasing responsibility with the authority to commit individual purchases up to $300,000
• Reviews requisitions for proper order sourcing, reviews proposals prior to processing bid awards and ensures the lowest cost of ownership
• Procures plant support requirements including miscellaneous goods and services and/or spare parts
• Maintains confidentiality on sensitive issues such as sources of supply, volumes, costing data, strategies and other proprietary information and data
• Maintains a high degree of ethical conduct at all times by strictly complying with the Company's Code of Conduct
• Coordinates the acquisition of Safety Data Sheets (SDS) as required for specific purchases
• Updates and keeps current insurance certificate file for suppliers working on-site.
• Communicates purchase specifications, drawings, etc. to suppliers as required for specific purchases. Works with suppliers to correct deficiencies in purchased goods and services.
• In preparing on-site contracts, gives detailed attention to contractual safeguards including: confidential agreements, insurance requirements, safety training requirements, workmanship warranties and work references.
• Facilitates coordination of workload among Purchasing Assistants, if applicable.
• Continuously improves the cost effectiveness of the purchasing process by searching for less costly materials, services and supplies
• Recommends to user departments new/different materials and revised designs which present the opportunity to obtain better quality and/or a lower cost.
• Supports the plant cost reduction process by soliciting competitive bids, re-sourcing of spare parts and researching other potential cost reductions.
• Analyzes situations to prevent production line shutdowns or laboratory operational delays, which negatively impact production costs
• Expedites and defers deliveries to optimize plant goals, warehouse storage, Just-In-Time (JIT) requirements and emergency needs.
• Reviews purchase order acknowledgements and makes independent decisions on purchase order variations based on sound purchasing practices.
• Audits purchase requisitions, determines appropriate order quantities and price breaks and selects proper shipping methods
• Also, selects best source of supply, issues purchase orders, debit memos, purchase order change notices and considers special requirements
• Reconciles purchase order receipt discrepancies with Receiving, Accounting and/or suppliers.
• This includes defective goods, overages, shortages, overcharges and freight violations.
• Screens suppliers, including interviewing salespersons promptly and courteously and visiting suppliers to analyze facilities and capabilities.
• Corresponds tactfully with suppliers to resolve misunderstandings, complaints and rejections.
• Ongoing internal and external contacts including: by phone, personal interview or written correspondence in obtaining quotations, negotiating prices, terms and conditions, credit/returns, expediting deliveries and replacement orders
• Interfaces with sales representatives, sales managers, owners and other individuals within supplier organizations
• Manages a supplier base of several hundred from which thousands of different goods and various services are purchased.
• Advises user departments of any changes in price, procedures or materials, which would prohibit purchase
• Also, keeps them apprised with respect to lead-time on critical items. Administers blanket orders, standing orders and time and materials contracts (i.e. pipe fitters, electricians, millwrights, etc.).
• Identifies and implements process improvements
• Initiates and/or attends meetings to represent Purchasing and assist in problem solving with other departments
• Establishes and reinforces the Company's positive image, working relationships, expectations of service, sense of urgency and mutual trust with suppliers.
• Determines the most expeditious means to maximize service, lowest cost of ownership, specifications, tooling, documentation, scheduling and other areas of opportunity with suppliers
• Works with all levels of employees to assist and counsel on Purchasing procedures and requirements
• Negotiates individually or with cross-functional teams to obtain optimal results using tact and good interpersonal skills.
• Perform other related duties as assigned or required.

Purchasing Assistant Qualifications:

• Must demonstrate understanding of technical terms and their application (Law of Agency, contractual obligations, patents and copyrights, JIT, transportation terminology, etc.).
• Must understand and utilize departmental and interdepartmental relationships to optimize the acquisition of support goods and services. Tact, sensitivity and good negotiating skills are necessary.
• Must be a self-starter with good analytical, communication (oral and written) and up to date computer skills using Microsoft office products, such as, Word, Excel etc.
• Must have working knowledge of manufacturing fundamentals and good business practices.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Three years recent experience in Purchasing or similar Materials Management position is required.
• Experience with ORACLE and iProcurement preferred
• Experience in a regulated industry preferred
• Has multi-million dollar annual purchasing responsibility with the authority to commit individual purchases up to $300,000
• Analyzes situations to prevent production line shutdowns which negatively impact production cost.
• Resolves issues involved with quality, cost, specifications tooling, documentation, scheduling and other problems associated with Plant personnel and suppliers.
• Must attain desired results from groups over which he/she has no authority by using logic and sound negotiating abilities.
• Work is performed in an office environment.
• Job entails primarily mental effort.
• Must be able to visit local suppliers when necessary.
• Typically requires travel less than 5% of the time.

Our role in supporting diversity and inclusion
As an international workforce business, we are committed to sourcing personnel that reflects the diversity and values of our client base but also that of Orion Group. We welcome the wide range of experiences and viewpoints that potential workers bring to our business and our clients, including those based on nationality, gender, culture, educational and professional backgrounds, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, and age differences, job classification and religion. In our inclusive workplace, regardless of your employment status as staff or contract, everyone is assured the right of equitable, fair and respectful treatment.