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Purchasing Agent

If you are a resourceful person interested in a challenging and rewarding career with the largest do-it-yourself moving company in the world, consider becoming U-Haul Company’s newest Purchasing Agent. The purchasing agent’s responsibilities include negotiating purchase agreements for steel and aluminum sheet and structural shapes, equipment, supplies and fabrication and welding processing services while conducting research to maintain the most cost-effective purchasing practices.

U-Haul offers our Team Members:

• Career stability
• Opportunities for advancement
• Mindset App Reimbursement
• Gym Reimbursement Program
• Health insurance & Prescription plans, if eligible
• Paid holidays, vacation, and sick days, if eligible
• Life insurance
• MetLaw Legal program
• MetLife auto and home insurance
• Discounts on Apple products, Dell computers, cell phone plans, hotels, and more
• 401(k) Savings Plan
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• 24-hour physician available for kids
• Dental & Vision Plans
• Business travel insurance
• You Matter EAP
• LifeLock Identity Theft Protection
• Critical Illness/Group Accident Insurance
• Dave Ramsey’s SmartDollar Program

Primary Responsibilities:

• Provides the effective purchasing and delivery of all items including steel and aluminum flat-sheet products and structural shapes, as well as processing services for fabrication and welding while securing the best value in these items for the Company 
• Recommend and select suppliers considering quality, delivery, value and price.
• Expedites and schedules materials necessary to meet plant operating requirements
• Recommends best ordering quantities to effect adequate supply and efficient purchasing considerations
• Continuously strives to reduce the total cost of procured goods and services.  Negotiates favorable pricing, terms, FOB location, warranty limits and price protection (usually on blanket orders) to obtain best value for the Company.
• Recommends adequate and satisfactory sources of supply and evaluates supplier performance;  instructs suppliers through purchase orders, verbal communications or correspondence regarding plant requirements and deliveries of assigned commodities
• Collaborates with maintenance and production management to secure the best materials, material substitution and value-in-use normal purchases.  Initiates action to resolve minor plant emergency purchases.
• Interviews supplier representatives and represents the Company in supplier/vendor relationships;  arranges for discussions between vendors and production or maintenance personnel as required or directed
• Provides information to Materials Management and plant personnel as required to effectively purchase assigned commodities;  makes plant and vendor visitations as directed and required to maintain effective liaison;  keeps abreast of market conditions as to availability, price and quality of assigned commodities
• Reviews assigned incoming requisitions and determines best buying methods;  initiates aggressive purchasing action required to secure assigned items and commodities
• Maintains records, reports and files for proper control of assigned purchasing activities;  consults with management on problems requiring major considerations
• Updates blanket contracts to reflect current prices, terms and conditions
• Maintains inquiry, follow-up, CMA, capital project, etc., files for Purchasing Department.
• Completes weekly audits of vendor invoices and takes action to remedy any resulting issues
• Follows department policies and procedures and participates in activities to continuously improve department workflow
• Reports on commodity spending, as required
• Assists others in the department as directed

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, supply chain management, purchasing or technical field, or experience in purchasing, operations or facility operations preferred
• Certified professional in supply management (CPSM) qualification or equivalent preferred
• Three years of related purchasing experience required; manufacturing experience preferred
• Demonstrated computer skills in MS Office
• Previous experience with SAP preferred
• Effective communication skills, both oral and written
• Knowledge and understanding of facility operations and maintenance
• Strong abilities in planning, organizing, project management and problem-solving
• Occasional travel is required.

U-Haul Holding Company, and its family of companies including U-Haul International, Inc. (“U-Haul”), continually strives to create a culture of health and wellness. Consistent with applicable state law, U-Haul will not hire or re-hire individuals who use nicotine products.  The states in which U-Haul will decline to hire nicotine users are: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington. U-Haul has observed this hiring practice since February 1, 2020 as part of our commitment to a healthy work environment for our team.