Purchasing Agent

General Purpose: Support Dairy Farmers of America Operations through the acquisition of direct materials needed for plant production.
Work closely with S&OP, plant scheduling, and Strategic Procurement to ensure that optimal inventory levels are maintained to meet business requirements.
Job Duties and Responsibilities: Coordinate all purchasing activities, review and process purchase requisitions, and place purchase orders Expedite orders where required to ensure constant supply against schedule changes Notify affected functions & stakeholders concerning late deliveries and materials availability Support production scheduling team to ensure proper direct materials are available for production plan attainment Review and manage invoice issues, shipping errors, replacement of materials not meeting company specifications, and cancellation of orders, keeping stakeholders abreast of status throughout the process Ensure appropriate direct material inventory levels are attained and managed, meeting or exceeding procurement and direct material inventory KPI(s) Actively participate in the resolution of aging direct material inventory Own maintenance of Material Requirements Planning settings for direct materials under individual purview Participate in continuous improvement projects and discussions within Operational Procurement and provide input into procurement strategies Communicate effectively throughout the procurement team and with stakeholders Cross-train to support production planning as needed Comply with DFA policies (e.
g.
, financial policies, procurement policies, confidentiality, and risk management policies) and communicate policies to suppliers and stakeholders to minimize risks Understand and adhere to all DFA Good Manufacturing Practices and work in a manner consistent with all corporate and regulatory quality and sanitation requirements Understand and adhere to all safety regulations The requirements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employee, but is not a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required.
Other duties may be assigned as required Requirements: Education and Experience High School diploma or GED required Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business, Economics, or Supply Chain Management preferred 2 or more years of experience working in Procurement, Finance, or Supply Chain Management function required 3 to 5 years of experience in a manufacturing environment with knowledge of blueprints and procurement practices preferred Certification and/or License – N/A Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Knowledge of procurement, supply chain, and general business principles Knowledge and demonstrated abilities in various software applications and SAP knowledge preferred Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) Knowledge of ERP systems Skill in critical thinking and analysis Able to organize time, energy, and resources effectively to achieve goals (i.
e.
, organizational skills) Able to prioritize work effectively Able to work under tight deadlines with flexibility Able to work independently and as part of a team Able to respond courteously and efficiently to inquiries, complaints, and requests Able to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing Able to work with accuracy and attention to detail Knowledge of vendor product, services, and reliability Must be able to read, write and speak English An Equal Opportunity Employer