Purchaser

Reports To
Purchasing Manager

Summary
The Purchaser is responsible for the tactical procurement of assigned commodities, supplies, equipment, and services to be used by Meridian. The Purchaser coordinates their efforts with the purchasing team, MRP system, warehouse and production team in order to maintain the appropriate level of inventory. This individual will utilize expert knowledge to purchase goods and services at the most favourable price for Meridian, while simultaneously building and maintaining strategic relationships with key suppliers. The Purchaser coordinates activities involved with procuring goods and services, such as raw materials, equipment, tools, parts, and supplies for Manufacturing Facilities in Winkler. The Purchaser reviews requisitions, confers with vendors to obtain product or service information, such as price, availability, and delivery schedule.

Core Competencies
- Customer Focus, Internal and External
- Communication
- Team Work
- Time Management
- Adaptability / Flexibility
- Creative and Innovative Thinking
- Decision Making and Judgment
- Planning and Organizing
- Problem Solving
- Result Focus
- Accountability and Dependability
- Ethics and Integrity
- Mediating and Negotiation
- Mathematical Reasoning
- Development and Continual Learning

Job Duties
- Responsible for procurement and purchasing activities on assigned projects.
- Estimate values according to knowledge of market price.
- Determine method of procurement, such as direct purchase or bid.
- Prepare purchase orders or bid requests.
- Review bid proposals and negotiates contracts within budgetary limitations and scope of authority.
- Maintain manual or computerized procurement records, such as items or services purchased, costs, delivery, product quality or performance, and inventories.
- Maintain accurate information for MRP System integrity including maintaining minimum/maximum stock levels of raw materials to meet production schedules
- Actively participate in development of continuous improvement programs as it relates to the procurement of goods and services
- Discuss defective or unacceptable goods or services with inspection or quality control personnel, users, vendors, and others to determine source of trouble and take corrective action.
- May approve invoices for payment.
- Support engineers, sales managers and cost accountants in preparations of estimates by contacting vendors for “budgetary pricing” for equipment and materials.
- Ensure that all administration procedures are followed and executed in a professional manner.
- Other duties as assigned

**Requirements**:

- Experience in a manufacturing setting an asset.
- Demonstrated knowledge of purchasing and contracting techniques and procedures.
- Strong knowledge of MRP systems, internal controls and finance management.
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
- Thorough knowledge of MRP, WERPS and Business Management software systems and data entry.
- Certification or working towards certification in APICS or PMAC an Asset
- Ability to work with little or no supervision.
- Requires a high degree of professional integrity, ethics, and confidentiality.
- Knowledge of accounting and budgetary practices and principles.
- Strong writing skills for creating reports, correspondence, contracts, requests, bids, and other documentation.
- Knowledge of the appropriate tools for grading, analyzing, and assessing materials, equipment, supplies, services, and other commodities.
- Sound analytical thinking, planning, prioritization, and execution skills.
- Strong customer service focus, both internal and external

Communication
- Sales
- Accounting
- Costing
- Production Control
- Inventory Control
- Suppliers
- Design

Working Conditions
- Some travel may be required.
- Ability to attend and conduct presentations.
- Ability to use desktop computer and peripherals.
- Overtime as required.