Purchasing Manager

PURCHASING MANAGER
Major functions: Manage purchasing and warehouse operations and procure supplies, equipment and services for Challenger’s 27 campuses.
I. Code of Conduct
A Challenger employee will:

Support and promote Challenger’s mission, values and vision.
Comply with applicable Challenger policies, standards, manuals and curriculum guides, and federal, state and local laws.
Protect organizational assets and confidential information; avoid conflicts of interest and report exceptions to management.
Work professionally and cooperatively with children, colleagues and vendors; respond to requests courteously.
Follow safety procedures and promptly report unsafe or threatening situations to a supervisor.

Nothing in this description restricts legally protected discussions about wages or working conditions, reporting concerns, or other protected activity.
II. Required Performance

Supervise and train the Purchasing Assistant and warehouse staff; set priorities and monitor accuracy, productivity and service.
Review and process authorized school and corporate requisitions accurately and on time.
Negotiate overall value based on price, quality, suitability, freight, warranty and delivery; issue purchase orders, contracts and blanket purchase orders within delegated authority.
Issue requests for quotations and bids (RFQs and RFBs); evaluate responses with requesting departments against specifications and operational requirements.
Manage vendor relationships, evaluate new products and monitor supplier pricing, quality, service and delivery.
Consult with Directors and office staff to assess product usage, anticipate needs and resolve purchasing problems.
Forecast demand and consolidate purchases with departments to meet purchasing goals, school-year needs, openings and deadlines.
Track verified savings and purchasing trends; reduce waste, duplicate orders, excess inventory and shipping costs.
Maintain purchasing, vendor, contract and inventory records; coordinate receiving, returns, credits and invoice discrepancies with Warehouse and Accounting.
Establish purchasing standards, preferred vendors and procedures; report purchasing performance and recommend improvements.

III. Qualifications
A. Education and Experience

High school diploma or GED required; relevant postsecondary education in business, purchasing, accounting or supply chain management preferred.
Four years of purchasing experience, five years of supervision and five years of warehousing, or an equivalent combination demonstrating the ability to perform this role.
Experience with purchasing and accounting systems, including MAS 500 where used, Outlook and spreadsheets; ability to learn new systems.
Knowledge of commercial law, purchasing contracts, negotiations, budgeting and inventory controls.

B. Knowledge, Skills and Physical Requirements

Analytical, mathematical, English-language, communication, interpersonal and problem-solving skills needed for the role.
Ability to evaluate bids, total costs and purchasing data and exercise sound financial judgment.
Ability to prioritize work across campuses, departments, vendors and deadlines with limited supervision.

Essential functions may be performed with or without reasonable accommodation:

Work in office, warehouse and school settings; move between work areas and visit campuses as needed.
Use computers and office equipment to manage purchasing information and communicate with staff and vendors.
Inspect materials, respond to safety concerns and access storage areas, including reaching and bending as needed.
Occasionally handle supplies and packages, using equipment or assistance for heavier loads.

C. Attitudes and Aptitudes

• Demonstrates integrity and accountability.
• Shows initiative, supports Challenger’s curriculum and methods, and responds constructively to feedback.

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