Purchasing Agent

About the role

Based in St. Louis, Core & Main is a leader in advancing reliable infrastructure™ with local service, nationwide®. As a specialty distributor with a focus on water, wastewater, storm drainage and fire protection products and related services, Core & Main provides solutions to municipalities, private water companies and professional contractors across municipal, non-residential and residential end markets, nationwide. With over 370 locations across the U.S., the company provides its customers local expertise backed by a national supply chain. Core & Main’s 5,700 associates are committed to helping their communities thrive with safe and reliable infrastructure. Visit coreandmain.com to learn more. Job Summary: Maintain and sustain a proactive channel of communication with management regarding purchasing and inventory decisions impacting their business. Generate performance reports for underperforming product lines, and initiate resolution plan of action.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates daily purchasing reports, prioritizes purchase orders by critical need; and ensures orders meet the optimal levels to maximize profit and sales.
• Obtains confirmations, verifies pricing and quantities, follows up with vendors to correct issues or re-request confirmations, attaches confirmations to POs, and manages confirmations record.
• Performs all purchase transactions for assigned categories.
• Works the Back Order Queue and Expedite Queue and keeps ship dates accurate for the field.
• Works with vendors for updated information regarding shipments.
• Conducts analysis and correction of price discrepancies utilizing accounting business partnerships.
• Leverages management input to ensure target freight levels are achieved to maximize profit margins.
• Evaluates and manages dead stock materials, no calc, and aged inventory.
• Manages inventory/fill rates for assigned categories.
• Negotiates prices with vendors.
• Proactively seeks out products/vendors in order to obtain best pricing as appropriate.
• Handles some commodity purchasing under the general direction of the Purchasing leader.
• Demonstrates skill in data analysis techniques by resolving missing/incomplete information and inconsistencies/anomalies in more complex research/data.
• Receives guidance only on unusual, complex problems or issues; work involves increasing independence.
• Work review typically involves periodic review of output by a supervisor and/or direct "customers" of the process.
• May provide general guidance/direction to or train junior level support personnel or professional personnel.
• Located in a comfortable indoor area; any unpleasant conditions would be infrequent and not objectionable.
• Typically requires overnight travel less than 10% of the time.

Requirements

• Must be a minimum of 18 years of age or older.
• Must pass pre-employment assessment(s) if applicable.
• Typically requires BS/BA in a related discipline.
• Generally 2-5 years of experience in a related field; certification is required in some areas.
• OR MS/MA and generally 2-4 years of experience in a related field; certification is required in some areas.

Qualifications

• Broad-based procurement and inventory experience.
• Product experience.

Pay

$70,304 per year