Inside Sales and Purchasing Associate

OmniSite is a small family-owned manufacturing company and industry leader in remote alarm monitoring, providing products and services to water utilities, wastewater departments, residential customers, and other industries across North America. We engineer, build, and support cellular devices that help protect the environment by detecting problems before spills occur. Our products are also used to monitor a variety of other industrial equipment.

About the role

OmniSite is seeking an experienced, customer-focused Inside Sales & Purchasing Associate to support purchasing, inventory management, and customer order fulfillment. This role serves as the primary point of contact for purchasing while also assisting customers with order entry, order status updates, lead time communication, and product returns. Approximately 75–80% of this position focuses on purchasing, inventory management, supplier relationships, and material planning, while 20–25% supports inside sales and customer service activities. This position works closely with Operations, Engineering, Production, and Customer Service to ensure customers receive accurate information, materials arrive on time, and production remains uninterrupted.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with purchasing experience who enjoys building supplier relationships, negotiating pricing, solving problems, and providing outstanding customer service.

Responsibilities

Inside Sales & Customer Support

• Process customer orders and perform order entry.
• Follow up with customers regarding order status.
• Communicate lead times and delivery expectations.
• Coordinate customer returns.
• Support order fulfillment activities.
• Coordinate special-order or custom-purchased components needed to fulfill customer orders.
• Communicate professionally with customers by phone and email.

Purchasing & Procurement

• Create and manage purchase orders based on sales trends, forecasts, and inventory requirements.
• Monitor vendor order status and confirm delivery schedules.
• Communicate lead time changes.
• Resolve pricing, invoice, and order discrepancies.
• Maintain purchasing records and supplier documentation.
• Support sourcing efforts for new products and suppliers.
• Negotiate pricing and purchasing agreements with vendors.
• Analyze landed costs, including freight, duties, and tariffs.
• Assist in evaluating alternative sourcing options to reduce risk and improve supply continuity.
• Support cost reduction initiatives through supplier negotiations and product alternatives.

Vendor Management

• Maintain supplier contact information, pricing, and terms.
• Monitor supplier performance, including quality and on-time delivery.
• Assist with onboarding and qualification of new suppliers.
• Build and maintain positive vendor relationships.
• Work directly with vendors to resolve damaged materials, incorrect shipments, and product quality concerns.
• Coordinate vendor returns and corrective actions to prevent recurring issues.

Engineering & Product Support

• Verify purchase orders against current engineering drawings and specifications.
• Update and maintain Bills of Materials (BOMs) within the ERP system.
• Track product lifecycle notifications, including End-of-Life (EOL) notices.
• Coordinate with engineering on part revisions and product changes.

Logistics & Shipping

• Coordinate domestic and international shipments.
• Work with freight forwarders, carriers, and customs brokers.
• Ensure compliance with applicable import regulations and company policies.

Requirements

• Associate degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations, Manufacturing, or a related field and at least five (5) years of purchasing experience in a manufacturing, technology, or related environment; or Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations, Manufacturing, or a related field and at least two (2) years of purchasing experience in a manufacturing, technology, or related environment.
• Experience working directly with both customers and vendors.
• Experience in manufacturing, distribution, or technology-related environments.
• Experience negotiating with vendors and managing supplier relationships.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems (Odoo, QuickBooks, or similar).
• Knowledge of purchasing, inventory control, and logistics processes.
• Familiarity with international shipping, tariffs, customs documentation, or supplier management.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and Office applications.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including professional phone and email communication.
• Resourceful and self-motivated with the ability to prioritize work based on business needs and organizational priorities.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.

Physical Requirements

• Occasionally lift up to 30–35 pounds.
• Ability to work throughout warehouse and office environments.
• Comfortable using warehouse stairs and ladders.
• Ability to distinguish colors for wires and product overlays.
• Sit, stand, and use a computer for extended periods.