PROCUREMENT AGENT

Laitram - New Orleans, LA

Full-time - Mid Level

New Orleans, LA

Management of Companies and Enterprises

About the position

The Procurement Agent at Laitram Machinery is responsible for managing the procurement process of parts and raw materials to ensure optimal inventory levels and support production needs. This role involves collaborating with various departments, sourcing new vendors, and maintaining vendor relationships to enhance supply chain efficiency and reduce risks.

Responsibilities

• Place orders for parts and raw materials based on MRP suggestions or purchase requests.
• Create purchase orders to maintain optimal inventory levels, balancing costs, lead times, production, and customer needs.
• Establish and maintain data for safety stock, minimum order quantities, lead times, and current costs.
• Source new parts from existing and new vendors based on technical needs, production requirements, inventory levels, lead times, and costs.
• Collaborate with engineering and production to understand and support their parts requirements.
• Check high-risk purchases and expedite orders as needed to meet customer, service, and production requirements.
• Ensure minimum required specifications for parts are met to avoid unnecessary vendor or specialty part dependencies.
• Maintain vendor metrics, change vendors as required, and work with vendors to identify better alternatives and manage delivery changes.
• Avoid over-ordering and understand the impact of part shortages or late deliveries on customers and production.
• Monitor markets for major purchase categories to reduce supply chain risks.
• Oversee purchase order and P-card systems to ensure cost accuracy and manage outstanding orders.
• Collaborate with various departments to reduce inventory levels and minimize slow-moving inventory.
• Own the purchase process from request to delivery, ensuring quality, cost-effectiveness, and timely delivery of parts.

Requirements

• B.S. degree in related field (Business, Finance, Supply Chain/Logistics Management, Engineering)
• 10 plus years experience can be substituted in lieu of degree.
• Self-managed team player; organized, efficient and proactive in regard to execution of daily tasks
• 5 or more years' experience in related industry (manufacturing preferred)
• Proficient with Microsoft Office suite, particularly Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
• Ability to review production plan/forecast and anticipate critical, long lead requirements
• ERP experience (Infor XA and/or Oracle preferred)
• Detail oriented and having an error-free mentality
• Strong analytical and objective decision making skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment as an integral part of a team

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in sourcing electrical & electronic components, electric motors/gearboxes, pipe fittings and miscellaneous hardware
• Familiarity in electrical supply brands such as Schneider, Square-D, Telemecanique, Eaton, Yaskawa, Festo, Hoffman, and Saginaw
• Familiarity in motor/gearbox brands such as Stainless Motors Inc, Leeson, Baldor, Grove, and Sterling