JOB TITLE: Buyer I (Associate Buyer)

DEPARTMENT: Accounting & Finance

SUPERVISOR: Supply Chain Manager

HOME LOCATION: Easthampton, MA

FLSA CLASSIFICATION: Exempt

 Insa is a rapidly expanding company that serves both medical patients and recreational patrons. We have an exciting opportunity for a Buyer to join our high-performance team and provide support to the supply chain/procurement team in Massachusetts. The ideal candidate must be able to thrive in a demanding, fast-paced startup environment resulting from deadline pressures, simultaneous competing demands and changing priorities. This is a team environment, requiring communication with all levels of management and other departments.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Buyer I, under supervision of the Supply Change Manager, is responsible for initiating the purchase of materials, supplies, and services to maintain monthly requirements. This position also assists with the RFQ process and supports contract negotiations and data analysis, in addition to coordinating and expediting deliveries to optimize inventory and ensure supply. This position will have some purchasing authority up to threshold set by procurement department.

RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES

• Initiates purchase of materials, supplies, and services that align with production rates and sales requirements
• Sets safety stocks to target levels to support working capital in production facility
• Cultivates vendor relationships including contract negotiation, coordination, and occasional site visits
• Places orders with vendors, monitors delivery and expedites orders as required
• Coordinates shipments with vendors / freight services to ensure timely arrival
• Initiates RFQs / quote requests and summarizes data for purchase plan / bid award decisions; selects and initiates contracts with suppliers based on quality, service, and delivery
• Maintain monthly cycle count program for internal and external warehouses
• Act as a liaison between vendor and accounting to reconcile good receipts & invoice discrepancies
• Expedites and communicates back orders and delivery status within supply chain
• Researches products, clarifying specifications to find best source/cost for production partners
• Helps evaluate potential new resources and audits existing suppliers through scorecard program
• Drives productivity improvements throughout supply base to deliver best cost
• Verifies purchasing practices comply with established laws, policies, and compliance requirements
• Assists other buyers and warehouse personnel and performs additional duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

• BA/BS degree or at least 5 years of equivalent work experience in a direct buying role required
• 2-4 years of experience in purchasing/planning/warehouse management required
• General knowledge of accounting principles required
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Power Point, Word) required
• Must have excellent communication skills and professional phone and email etiquette
• Must have strong analytical skills and advanced math skills
• Must be strategic/analytical thinker
• Experience/knowledge of Kanban and Lean Manufacturing techniques preferred
• Consumer Products Industry Experience a plus
• MRP/ERP experience a plus
• APICS certification a plus

COMPETENCIES:

• Analysis
• Organization
• Teamwork
• Negotiation

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to push, pull, move, and/or lift a minimum of 25 lbs. to a minimum height of 5 feet and able to push, pull, move, and/or carry such weight a minimum distance of 50 feet, with or without mechanical assistance
• Some limited travel required

WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT:

• General warehouse environment with occasional exposure to objectional conditions such as seasonal temperature fluctuations
• Continuous exposure to cannabis odor and occasional exposure to plant keef, to which some individuals may be allergic

Insa is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity in all personnel decisions. Accordingly, all personnel decisions, including those regarding recruitment, training, hiring, termination, promotion and demotion, shall be made without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, genetic information, veteran status, pregnancy or a condition related to said pregnancy including, but not limited to, lactation or the need to express breast milk for a nursing child or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. The Human Resource Manager/Director of Operations is responsible for ensuring that this Equal Employment Opportunity policy is followed throughout our Company.