Buyer I - Integrated Supply

Vallen Distribution - Cottage Grove, MN

Full-time - Entry Level

Cottage Grove, MN

Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers

About the position

The On-site Buyer at Vallen is responsible for providing exceptional service by purchasing products, goods, and materials that meet the organization's standards of price, quality, timing, and reliability of supply. This role involves working directly at a customer location and ensuring that procurement activities align with Vallen's purchasing strategies to meet current and anticipated demand.

Responsibilities

• Perform procurement activities to ensure the customer's current and anticipated demand for products and materials are met.
• Review and approve assigned inventory forecasts produced by Vallen's inventory management or other ERP applications.
• Review and approve daily replenishment recommendations produced by Vallen's inventory management or other ERP applications.
• Assess existing orders to determine action for expediting or de-expediting for optimal delivery.
• Place purchase requisitions and vendor purchase orders.
• Research, assess, and make recommendations for vendors and/or specific items to ensure compliance with specifications and standards.
• Monitor the quality and timeliness of products and materials supplied; coordinate the return of damaged goods and/or replacement items.
• Negotiate and coordinate vendor returns for aging, expired, or excess inventory; coordinate liquidation activities as required.
• Follow-up on the status of purchase orders with vendors to ensure timely delivery; communicate status of orders with customers.
• Communicate with vendors to resolve problems with timeliness and product quality.
• Maintain and cultivate relationships with suppliers, vendors, and assigned customers.
• Research and resolve account payables nonconformance with suppliers.
• Identify opportunities for and document customer cost savings.
• Produce customer KPI measurement data.
• Follow all Vallen and customer Standard Operating Procedures.
• Adhere to LEAN operating practices; ensure worksite is professional, clean, and neat always.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g., Business, Finance, etc.) preferred.
• 1+ years of experience in the field of Procurement preferred.
• CPM certification preferred.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Computer skills and aptitude to learn various ERP and Inventory Management applications.
• Mathematical aptitude for basic calculations.
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Demonstrated strong attention to detail, organization, and execution skills.
• Proficiency with MS-Office products.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of safety protocols in a customer facility.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick days)
• 401K with discretionary company match (US positions only)
• Employer-paid Basic Life for Employee, Spouse, and Dependents
• Employer-paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
• Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Vitality Wellness Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Resource Groups for networking and team building
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Employee Referral Program
• Safety Shoe and Safety Glasses reimbursement
• Employee Discounts through BenefitHub
• Advancement Opportunity.