Purchasing Agent 1st Shift

Airlite Plastics is a premier, privately held, family-owned manufacturer headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. Our family style and personal culture is what makes Airlite an amazing place to grow and build a successful career. Airlite’s company values of unquestionable integrity and respect and appreciation for each other are at the core of our success! These values set a strong foundation to build on where we can ‘wow’ our customers with innovative products and sustainable solutions, and continuously improve our processes and efficiencies.

Our product lines include rigid plastic containers and lids for food packaging and cosmetics, dry powder scoops, plastic drink cups, shipping containers, industrial strength insulated concrete forms (ICF) and sustainable permeable paving systems. As pioneers in our industry, focused on sustainable solutions, we strive to provide our customers with top-notch service and quality, which aligns with our award-winning products.

How would you contribute? 

This role is a contributing member of our Airlite Plastics team, located in Omaha, NE.  As a Purchasing Agent you are a key to continued growth and success of Airlite. The Purchasing Agent will be responsible for sourcing, purchasing, and negotiating materials, equipment and supplies from vendors. This includes analyzing inventory, submitting purchase orders, confirming and ensuring incoming shipments are accounted for; communicating and coordinating orders to multiple departments within the organization. 

Essential Duties: 

• Source and evaluate suppliers based on price, quality, selection, service, support, availability, reliability, production and distribution capabilities.
• Negotiate contracts, terms and pricing with suppliers to secure favorable terms and conditions.
• Service internal customers through face-to-face communication and or email.
• Review purchase orders for accuracy and completeness before issuing them to suppliers. Update purchase order pricing, quantity and delivery date with supplier confirmations.
• Monitor backordered and delayed shipments; communicate accordingly to internal customers.
• Monitor inventory levels and replenish stock in accordance with established min/max to ensure smooth operations.
• Resolve vendor or contractor grievances and claims against suppliers.
• Determine obsolete inventory and recommend actions to be taken.
• Maintain accurate records of purchases, pricing, and inventory levels.
• Prepare and analyze reports on purchasing activities, costs, and performance metrics.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings and process improvements.
• Assist with receiving orders and performing cycle counts as needed.
• Maintain and adhere to company policies and processes with emphasis on customer service.
• Responsible for reporting food safety problems to management.
• Other duties as assigned. 

Do you have what it takes? Airlite Plastics is a versatile employer; complacency is not one of our strengths! We work hard each day to ensure that equipment efficiency and customer satisfaction never leave our line of sight. Successful candidates for the role will possess the following: 

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:

• Bachelor's degree or the equivalent combination of education, training and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills have been acquired; or
• Three (3) years related experience in purchasing; or equivalent combination of education and experience in Industrial parts inventory management.
• Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs and other techniques for maximizing production and inventory control.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals.  Ability to compute rate, ratio and percentage.
• Capability to utilize problem solving skills.
• Good organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple projects/activities/goals.
• Must be able to work well with others, build partnerships and support team members.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and tactful in dealing with people at all levels.
• Must be self-motivated and positive.
• Flexible and adaptable; able to work in ambiguous situations.
• Display highest ethical standards.
• Maintain the utmost level of confidentiality in dealing with sensitive information.
• Detail oriented, with the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
• Basic computer skills with the ability to operate Microsoft Office products.
• Upholds and supports organizational goals and values.
• Takes initiative and asks for help when needed.
• Knowledge of or ability to learn manufacturing ERP Software.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This role does not have personnel supervisory responsibilities; however, this role includes working with cross-functional teams in a matrixed organization. 

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; stand; walk; use hand dexterity to operate office equipment including computer keyboards; reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the office work environment is typically quiet; when visiting the production floor the noise level may be loud.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

in the production setting.

JOB ARD ANALYSIS 

All positions must have a current Job Hazard Analysis attached to the job description. See the JHA for Office Staff, located on the Company Intranet:  Corporate Services> Safety> Job Hazard Analysis.

Our Core Values Drive Us! 

• Do you conduct yourself with unquestionable integrity? 
• Do you demonstrate respect and appreciation for those around you? 
• Are you innovative and strive to challenge the status quo? 
• Do you strive for continuous improvement and to deliver the “wow” factor? 
• Do you care about environmentally sustainable solutions? 
• Do you take meaning and pride in a job well done? 

What’s in it for you?  As a Full-Time employee, you will be eligible for the following benefits: 

• Health, dental and vision insurance 
• Company paid life insurance 
• Company paid short term disability 
• Generous 401k match 
• Generous Time Off 
• Annual company activities