Purchasing Agent

Who We Are:

Lippert is a leading, global manufacturer and supplier of highly engineered products and customized solutions, dedicated to shaping, growing and bettering the RV, marine, automotive, commercial vehicle and building products industries. We combine our strategic manufacturing capabilities with the power of our winning team culture to deliver unrivaled customer service, award-winning innovation, and premium products to all of our customers.

Why We are Different:

At Lippert, Everyone Matters. This is not just a tagline or empty promise; it is who we are. We have intentionally created a culture that values and celebrates our team members' unique and varied backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. We strive to give our team members a deeper sense of purpose at work, and we continue to build a better work environment by aligning our cultural and business strategies with the needs of our team members.

What You will Get:

1. A unique, inclusive and supportive company culture.
2. Comprehensive benefit offerings including medical, dental, vision, 401k with employer match, vacation, and more!
3. Fair and competitive compensation.
4. Career development and mentoring and opportunities to grow.
5. Holiday, personal and vacation days.

Summary/Objective:

The Purchasing Agent/Buyer obtains requirements by verifying, preparing, and forwarding purchase orders; verifies receipt of items; authorizes payment.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Essential Functions:

1. Primary Duty: the principal, main, major, or most important duty of this position is to maintain the fill rate on the shelves for products or inventory levels, and to manage incoming inventory based on current levels within the facility. This primary duty involves:

• Committing the company to purchases of up to $10,000 without further approval ($25,000 for the lead Purchasing Agent);
• Using discretion and independent judgment to determine if vendors are meeting the company's expectations, to select new vendors to serve the Purchasing Agent's local facility, and to make recommendations that are considered through a standard approval process for potential new vendors who will serve multiple company facilities;
• Sourcing products from suppliers with time sensitivity;
• Sourcing lowest cost product when possible, while giving significant consideration to the quality of items purchased;
• Verifying purchase requisitions by comparing items requested to a master list, clarifying unclear items, and recommending alternatives;
• Forwarding available inventory items by verifying stock;
• Forwarding orders to suppliers;
• Monitoring and expediting orders;
• Scheduling deliveries;
• Preparing purchase orders by verifying specifications and price;
• Obtaining recommendations from suppliers for substitute items;
• Verifying receipt of items by comparing items received to items ordered;
• Resolving erroneous shipments with suppliers; and
• Authorizing payment for purchases by forwarding receiving documentation.

1. Provide purchasing planning and control information by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing data and trends.
2. Update job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities.

Other Key Responsibilities

1. Keeps information accessible by sorting and filing documents.
2. Accomplishes purchasing and organization mission by completing related results as needed.
3. Performs all other responsibilities as may be assigned by management.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Working Conditions:

1. Primarily working indoors, office environment.
2. May sit for several hours at a time.
3. Prolonged exposure to computer screens.
4. Repetitive use of hands to operate computers, printers, and copiers.

Qualifications:

1. Must be a team player and be able to work alone in a fast-paced environment.
2. Ability to analyze and support inventory, so we can optimize inventory turns and reduce costs.
3. Display Lippert's Core Values: Positive Attitude, Team Play with Trust, Passionate about Winning, Honesty-Integrity-Candor, Caring about People.
4. Understanding of ERP systems (D365 preferred).
5. Strong Microsoft Office Skills - specifically Word and Excel.

Ability to take initiative, set priorities, learn quickly, and take ownership of assigned projects.

Competencies:

1. Technical Capacity.
2. Financial Management.
3. Communication Proficiency.
4. Time Management.
5. Decision Making.

Supervisory Responsibility:

This role does not have any supervisory responsibility upon hiring.

Physical Demands:

This is largely a sedentary role; however, some filing is required. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bending or standing on a stool, as necessary. This position requires the ability to occasionally lift office products and supplies, up to 20 pounds.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

This is a full-time salary position, and hours/days of work are decided by production schedules and the reporting manager.

Travel:

Travel will be minimal to none and would be primarily local during the business day.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications:

List any other specific eligibility qualifications.

Work Authorization/Security Clearance:

Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

AAP/EEO Statement:

Lippert provides equal employment opportunity to all team members and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, age, genetic information, disability, citizen status, veteran status, military service, marital status or any other legally protected category as established by federal, state, or local law. This policy governs all employment decisions, including recruitment, hiring, job assignment, compensation, training, promotion, discipline, transfer, leave-of-absence, access to benefits, layoff, recall, termination and other personnel matters. All employment and personnel-related decisions are based solely upon legitimate, job-related factors, such as skill, ability, past performance, and length of service with Lippert.

Lippert's strong commitment to equal employment opportunity requires a commitment by each individual team member. Compliance with the letter and spirit of this policy is required of all team members. Violations of this policy should be immediately reported to your leader or to any member of leadership. Team members who violate this policy will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

Other Duties:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the Team Member for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Lippert provides equal employment opportunity to all team members and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, age, genetic information, disability, citizen status, protected veteran status, military service, marital status or any other legally protected category as established by federal, state, or local law. This policy governs all employment decisions, including recruitment, hiring, job assignment, compensation, training, promotion, discipline, transfer, leave-of-absence, access to benefits, layoff, recall, termination and other personnel matters. All employment and personnel-related decisions are based solely upon legitimate, job-related factors, such as skill, ability, past performance, and length of service with Lippert.

Lippert's strong commitment to equal employment opportunity requires a commitment by each individual team member. Compliance with the letter and spirit of this policy is required of all team members. Violations of this policy should be immediately reported to your leader or to any member of leadership. Team members who violate this policy will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

Know Your Rights