Senior Purchasing Agent (hybrid work option)

SENIOR PURCHASING AGENT

ROLE OVERVIEW

The Senior Purchasing Agent is responsible for all aspects of manufacturing supply chain procurement, including quoting, price negotiation, purchasing inventory, prototype materials, tooling, and services. This role requires assessment of vendor shop capacity and lead time, to coordinate with project lead times and due dates. The chosen individual will work on the definition and resolution of known or anticipated challenges with value, quality, feasibility, and specifications in the procurement of goods and services while contributing to cost savings, partnerships with suppliers, and other value-added activities. This position upholds the Kwik Lok Corporation philosophies with dedication to continuous improvement in food safety, quality, and integrity.

COMPANY OVERVIEW

Kwik Lok has been producing a product that most of us have depended on our entire lives – the clip that closes your produce and loaves of bread to keep it fresh! Kwik Lok is an innovation and engineering organization focused on sustainability. We are in the business of “hacking the package” – innovating clever advantages in packaging to get food to the table faster, fresher, and safer while reducing waste. Kwik Lok is a 3rd generation, family-owned company headquartered in Yakima, WA with 8 offices and 6 plants worldwide. We are a mid-size company delivering our product to almost 100 countries.

We know that people are looking for jobs that are a better fit in their lives right now. Here are a few pieces of information that might help you decide whether Kwik Lok is a good fit for you:

• Inclusive culture: Kwik Lok is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity and inclusion to increase the success of our employees and customers. We want every person to feel part of the team! Our team members come from a variety of backgrounds, and we see value in learning from each other’s different perspectives.
• Innovation: Our goal is to create an environment where employees can be curious and express ideas to identify new and better solutions. We want every employee to be engaged in improving our workplace and work processes. Innovation isn't just for engineers!
• Meaningful work: We know that every job has things you'll love doing and things you'll love less. Our goal is to engage our employees in our vision for the company and provide them with meaningful work where they can learn, grow, and be part of solutions that improve the lives of our customers and their communities while protecting the health of our planet. No matter what your job entails, we want you to know that what you do makes a difference.
• Impacting the community and environment: Kwik Lok takes corporate social responsibility seriously, and we appreciate that our position in the industry gives us the ability to help do good in so many areas. We are committed to providing educational and economic opportunity, improving well-being, fostering innovation, and protecting the planet. You can read our most recent Sustainability Report on our website.
• Work-life balance: At Kwik Lok, we know that in order for you to be your best at work, you need time to recharge as well. Whenever possible, we offer flexibility in start/stop times and even opportunities for remote work. We want you to be energized at work, and when the day is done we want you to go home and enjoy your personal life!

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES AND RESULTS

• Create and prepare purchase orders, issues, and review RFQ’s within set deadlines, and review requisitions for goods and services
• Manage relationships with suppliers to maintain quality and timely delivery
• Research and evaluate suppliers based on safety, price, quality, service, support, availability, reliability, production and distribution capabilities, and the supplier’s reputation and history
• Negotiate, or renegotiate, and administer contracts to ensure lowest cost with highest quality materials
• Procure material based on sales demand and order point
• Maintain inventory levels to support maintenance and repair activity for all Kwik Lok locations
• Monitor changes affecting supply and demand – tracking market conditions, price trends, or future markets
• Work with cross-functional teams to ensure accurate order quantities and data processing within NetSuite
• Proactively seek and lead innovative ways to improve the procurement process, cycle times, and customer service levels

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• High School Diploma or equivalent Required; Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain or related field preferred
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience purchasing in a manufacturing environment
• Experience negotiating with vendors or customers
• Understanding of manufacturing requirements
• Proficient in measuring data related to supplier performance
• Comprehensive understanding of NetSuite, MS Excel, and MS Word
• Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship
• Must be able to pass pre-employment drug and background screenings

KEY SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES

• Strong negotiation skills
• Ability to analyze data and put to action
• Impeccable attention to detail
• Expert communication skills to support pleasant interactions with suppliers and a multi-layered workforce.
• Seeks and accepts feedback for personal development
• Self-motivated and able to work independently in a productive manner as well as be a team player
• Highly organized individual who can manage multiple tasks
• Innovative thinker who seeks continuous improvement for products and processes

ALL THE DETAILS…

• Annual compensation commensurate with experience: $67,231 - $83,815
• Insurance Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription, Life and Disability Insurance plans
• Retirement Benefits: 401(k) Plan with company match (90 day waiting period - restrictions apply)
• Paid Time Off: (90 day waiting period, prorated for first year)
  • Vacation: 120 hours a year, with increases based on years of service
  • Holidays: 70 hours a year (8.5 days): 1 Floating Holiday, New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and the Friday following, half day on Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day
  • Sick Leave: 40 hours a year, accrued at 1 hour per 40 hours worked for hourly employees, salary employees prorated for first year
• Other Compensation: May be eligible for annual performance bonuses.
• Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:00am to 3:30pm
• Location: Hybrid position located in Yakima, WA. Must be able to work in office in Yakima Washington on agreed upon days/times.
  • Telework expectations: Must be available and responsive during scheduled work hours and possess a physical workspace that facilitates telework (internet access, ability to focus on work during work hours if others are present in the home, successfully complete telework environment safety assessments on a regular basis). Employees must use video during virtual meetings to support non-verbal communication continuity. Kwik Lok will supply the employee with all necessary technology to perform work.
• Work environment: Occasionally bends, squats, reaches, kneels, and may lift up to 30 lbs. on occasion. Constantly seeing, hearing, talking.

To learn more about Kwik Lok, visit www.kwiklok.com.

Kwik Lok is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. We strongly encourage people from underrepresented groups to apply. We value a diverse workforce and provides equal opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, genetic information, or status as a veteran. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

To view labor compliance information, click here.