Job Description

The Purchasing Manager will service internal and external customers through maintaining appropriate levels of inventory, communication of product and price concerns/changes, sourcing new products, prompt follow-up of shipments and expected delivery dates.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The Whitaker Company Purchasing Team is the face of the company to the suppliers and the liaison between suppliers and the rest of the Whitaker Team. As such, the Purchasing Manager will be professional and courteous in working with suppliers and internal customers.

Duties include, but aren’t limited to the following:

• Raw Materials
  • Develops sources of supply and obtains information from suppliers concerning product specifications, price, lead time, etc. and ensures all applicable data is current in the system.
  • Evaluates costs, negotiates optimum delivery schedules and ensures the best combination of price, quality, delivery lead times.
  • Daily review of inventory status against open orders.
  • Periodic adjustments to minimum inventory levels and reorder points with ebb and flow of business.
  • Conducts negotiations with an emphasis on achieving cost reductions, maximizing savings and securing pricing that is within the objectives set forth in negotiation plan.
  • Issue Purchase Orders as necessary with accuracy on price and delivery date/time.
  • Follow-up with suppliers on all open orders for confirmation of receipt and shipping paperwork.
  • Update PO accordingly with changes to dates or pricing.
  • Communicate updates on orders/materials of concern internally as necessary (i.e. direct ship orders or special-order items specific to one customer).
• MRO
  • Regular restocking of non-chemical spend (i.e. office supplies, PPE)
  • Assist with other business purchases as needed.
• Internal Customers/Support Role
  • Receive sourcing requests from sales and reach out to suppliers for price, lead time and availability as applicable.
  • Assist customer service, sales, and operations with information for materials/orders as needed for customer support.
  • Provide validation to accounting for price and volume discrepancies on purchases; dispute charges/variances as necessary with suppliers.
  • Assist sales team with pricing, support, and bids as needed.
  • Communicate major changes with products, services, and suppliers (i.e. mergers and acquisitions, product discontinuation, major production changes impacting supply, etc.)

Qualification Requirements

• 5+ years of purchasing experience.
• College education in business a plus.
• Must be able to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
• Consistently responds to inquiries and requests in a professional manner within company timelines.
• Maintains a positive and professional demeanor.
• Chemical Industry background, a major plus.
• Ability to read and interpret documents.

Skills

• Strong organizational, written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent negotiation skills and understanding of business ethics.
• Microsoft Office experience, preferred.
• Accuracy and attention to detail.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk and/or hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle or feel. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch and/or crawl. The employee must also occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities include close vision and color vision.

Salary

Based on experience, 40 hours per week, Shifts: M-F, 7:00 am – 4:00 pm

Education

High School diploma or GED equivalent, Jr college/College a plus

Benefits

• Health/Medical
• Dental and Vision Benefits
• 401(k), Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off

Location

Atlanta, GA

Position Type

Full-Time/Regular

Must Pass

Background Check, Pre-Employment Drug Test, and Physical Exam

About The Whitaker Company

It all started in Atlanta in 1928 with a single gas pump and a mission to provide motor fuels and oils, along with the highest quality service, to independent retailers and service stations. Since then, through a rare four generations of family ownership, Whitaker has grown and diversified our offerings to meet the changing times and needs of customers. But our commitment to service excellence has remained the same.

Today, we proudly offer our customers a wide range of chemical and composite material products and services from our facilities in Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina. Whether their needs entail solvents, resins, custom blending or bulk storage, every Whitaker customer benefits from our lengthy industry experience, technology investments and promise to always do the right thing. At Whitaker, fairness and honesty aren’t just core values; they’re a way of life.

Our Vision

We’re committed to growing our business by adding new customers and offering new chemical solutions. We’ll have the best leaders, managers, and people in the industry.

EOE Statement

We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.