Indirect Purchasing Agent

Manage and optimize indirect spend across the organization, driving cost savings, quality and process improvements, and supplier partnerships. This role plays a critical part in transitioning from a decentralized to a centralized purchasing model, leveraging standardization and strategic sourcing to improve cost efficiency and service quality. Indirect spend categories include business services, outside services, temp labor, MRO supplies, capital equipment, and transportation.

Essential Job Functions: Performs or assists the Supervisor in the following tasks:

Operational Procurement & Systems Administration

Create requisitions, Contractor POs, and receive invoices and timecards in ERP system (LN)

Serve as Administrator for LN Purchase Requisition Approval

Assist with contract creation, negotiation, and execution, and user support using the Contract Management platform.

Create and manage business partner profiles in LN, communicating with Finance, Quality, and support organizations

Serve as Administrator for Office Depot business account

Work with IT to develop or modify reports

Responsible for Records Retention activity for Purchasing Dept.

Strategic Sourcing & Cost Management

Analyze indirect and P-card spend for trends, cost reduction opportunities, process improvements, strategic sourcing, and centralization

Log and report supplier rebates, commissions, and scrap recycling income

Review and file weekly and monthly spend reports from on-site VMI supplier

Participate in strategic sourcing initiatives and cross-functional projects

Document and report cost savings achieved

Training, Communication & Support

Train new users of LN Purchase Requisition system

Create and deliver training documents and business case presentations

Manage Rev Level communication with Suppliers as needed

Coordinate furniture orders, layout approvals, and installations with Facilities, IT, and Suppliers

Support purchasing agents with expediting and tracking orders as needed

Maintain Supply Management pages on the company intranet (PACT)

Performs other duties as assigned in support of departmental and organizational initiatives.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This job has no supervisory responsibilities. May be required to train and assist other employees, effectively partnering and collaborating on department and cross-functional organizational initiatives.

Minimum Position Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s Degree with at least one (1) year experience in the purchasing field as a Buyer, Purchasing Specialist or Purchasing Agent, and knowledge of data mining and analysis, commodity management, and procurement process is desirable, but not required. In lieu of a degree, three (3) years of work experience as a Buyer, Purchasing Specialist or Purchasing Agent.

General understanding of ERP and Company operations is necessary to perform the duties in this position.

Physical Demands

Demonstrates physical and functional ability to perform and accomplish tasks. Ability to lift and carry up to 10 lbs.

Mental Demands

General understanding of ERP computer system.

Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, to include Excel proficiency, is required.

Requires knowledge and experience in establishing Kanban, JIT or Supplier Managed Inventory programs.

General understanding of drawings, specification, and units of measure.

This individual must be highly independent and self-directed, with strong organizational skills and the ability to work with confidential information

Working Conditions

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those the employee encounters while performing the functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to both office and plant environments. May be exposed to odors, chemical agents, dust, fumes, gases, sharp objects, hazardous or moving equipment, wet slippery floors, and extremes in temperature and humidity.

Interacts regularly with various staff and employees, and occasionally with vendors, suppliers, community members and regulatory agency representatives.

Travel and overtime are required when necessary.

Operational Excellence

Supports all operational excellence initiatives ensuring full participation in all department services, continuous improvement efforts, and training programs.

Quality Assurance

Maintains a safe, orderly working environment including FOD compliance.

Ensures adherence to Piper Aircraft, Inc. corporate compliance policies.

Adheres to organization and department policies and procedures.

Compliance

Responsible for ensuring compliance with laws, rules and regulations appropriate to job function.

Comply with all organizational policies and standards regarding ethical business practices.

Work ethically and with integrity; upholds organizational values.

Communicates Effectively

Effective communicator with strong interpersonal skills who understands how to develop and maintain external supplier and internal customer relations in both written and oral form.

Maintain a high level of professionalism at all times during direct contact with employees, suppliers, and customers.

Decision Quality

Makes good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving on-time with deliverables.

Optimizes Work Processes

Knows and contributes the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement.

Attention to Detail

Takes responsibility for a thorough, accurate, and detailed method of completing work tasks.

Drives Results

Overcomes adversity, consistently achieving quality results - even under demanding deadlines and unexpected operating circumstances.

Teamwork

Interacts, partners, and collaborates effectively with others, positively contributing to overall department and organizational deliverables and results.