Purpose:  The Purchasing Assistant will hold an integral/critical role within our organization. Our projects teams and warehouse will rely on this person to ensure materials are ordered accurately; lead times are confirmed and materials are available at the time of installation. This is a high-volume position that requires intense focus, a high degree of organization and a solid understanding of our business.

Essential Key Functions and Accountabilities: (Responsibilities and major tasks performed)

• Communicate      with Project Managers and Sales regularly regarding new orders, special      orders, change orders, long lead times, job scheduling, estimated times of      delivery, etc.

· Prepares and reviews purchase orders for accuracy. 

· Confirm all quantities with suppliers after issuing POs.

· Send POs to suppliers; monitors and expedites orders when required.

· Monitors lead times to ensure orders are received as close to the time of need as possible. Tracks timeframes as necessary.

· Owns the Material Status reporting relied upon by Project Management and clients, exercising judgment about what information is material to communicate and when to flag schedule risk.

· Order, coordinate delivery of containers to our facility as required.

· Ensure notes are entered in the purchasing system regarding pricing, conversations, emails, etc. for reference and reconciliation later.

· Process claims as needed for returns, damages.

· Source other suppliers’ materials and pricing as necessary to ensure products availability. 

· Evaluates and selects freight and transportation methods — ground, rail, air, container — weighing cost against delivery requirements and authorizes the chosen option.

Experience and Education Required:

· High School Diploma or GED

· 1+ years of experience in purchasing, procurement, inventory or order entry

· Flooring industry experience 

• Proficient in Microsoft Office (especially Excel,      Powerpoint a plus).

Required Skills and Qualifications:

· Strong organizational and time management skills.

· Patience to deal with interruptions while maintaining focus to avoid mistakes.

· Flexible. Willing to work with requests throughout each day as job needs dictate.

· Customer centric and a desire to exceed expectations.

· Ability to communicate effectively with internal stakeholders and external suppliers.

· Ability to see a job or project through to final completion.

· Strong written and verbal communication skills

· Functions well independently but has a positive, team first attitude / mindset.

Working Conditions: Associates work in an office environment.