General Description
The Purchasing Agent is responsible for developing, implementing, and continuously improving purchasing policies, procedures, and processes that support Avail's operational and project delivery objectives. This position serves as a key leader in supply chain management, material planning, regulatory compliance, and purchasing system administration.
This role is responsible for establishing and maintaining purchasing processes within Microsoft Dynamics, including leading the implementation, adoption, and continuous improvement of purchasing-related workflows. The Purchasing Agent must demonstrate strong accountability, organizational leadership, and change management skills to successfully deploy and sustain new business processes and systems across the organization.
The Purchasing Agent works closely with the Production and Sourcing Lead, and cross-functional teams to determine material requirements necessary to support project schedules and business operations. This position owns the purchasing plan and is responsible for ensuring all purchase orders are placed in a timely manner, material lead times are properly managed, and products are delivered to Avail in accordance with project schedules and customer commitments.
The Purchasing Agent serves as the primary point of contact with vendors and suppliers to proactively manage delivery schedules, identify potential risks, and resolve supply chain issues before they negatively impact production or project execution.
In addition, this position is responsible for overseeing international purchasing activities, including validating expected vendor Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes, monitoring tariff impacts, supporting country-of-origin determinations, and ensuring compliance with applicable import and trade regulations. The Purchasing Agent when necessary, will coordinate customs management activities for international shipments, work with customs brokers and freight providers, and support cost optimization strategies related to tariffs and international logistics.
This role oversees Buy America compliance activities by coordinating documentation and certification processes, collecting and validating supplier compliance information, developing and maintaining internal compliance procedures, and providing Buy America guidance, compliance criteria, and supporting documentation to OEM partners, customers, and project teams. The Purchasing Agent will maintain expertise in applicable federal requirements and work collaboratively across departments to ensure compliance throughout the procurement lifecycle.
The Purchasing Agent facilitates the weekly Purchase Approval Meeting, ensuring purchasing priorities are reviewed, approvals are obtained, and potential delivery risks are identified and escalated. This position also participates in material planning meetings and serves as a lead contributor to enterprise-wide material planning efforts, ensuring purchasing processes are consistently followed and aligned with project requirements.
Essential Duties/Responsibilities
- Establish, document, and continuously improve purchasing policies, procedures, and processes.
- Lead the implementation, administration, and continuous improvement of purchasing functions within Microsoft Dynamics.
- Own and maintain the purchasing plan to support project schedules and business requirements.
- Collaborate with Production Planning to forecast material demand and ensure timely procurement of materials.
- Manage supplier relationships and proactively monitor vendor performance, lead times, and delivery commitments.
- Facilitate weekly Purchase Approval Meetings and communicate material risks, constraints, and mitigation plans.
- Participate in cross-functional material planning meetings and provide purchasing leadership across all active projects.
- Manage international procurement activities, including tariff analysis, HTS code classification support, customs compliance, and import logistics coordination.
- Work with customs brokers, freight forwarders, and suppliers to ensure efficient and compliant international shipments.
- Lead Buy America compliance efforts, including supplier data collection, certification management, compliance reporting, and customer/OEM support.
- Provide Buy America criteria and supporting documentation to OEM partners, customers, and project teams.
- Monitor supply chain risks and implement mitigation strategies to minimize project and production impacts.
- Develop metrics and reporting to measure purchasing effectiveness, supplier performance, inventory impacts, and compliance initiatives.
- Drive accountability, process discipline, and continuous improvement throughout the procurement function.
Skills
- Strong communication and collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively across internal teams, suppliers, customers, OEM partners, and regulatory agencies.
- Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, identify risks, and drive timely resolutions.
- High attention to detail and accuracy in purchasing, inventory management, contract administration, compliance documentation, and data analysis.
- Proven ability to lead change, improve processes, and drive accountability across cross-functional teams.
- Self-motivated with a strong sense of ownership, accountability, and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
Education Requirements
- College degree or, 3-5 years of experience in purchasing, procurement, supply chain management, or a related field, preferably in a manufacturing, technology, or project-based environment.
- Experience leading process improvements and implementing business systems, preferably within Microsoft Dynamics or a similar ERP platform.
- Knowledge of Buy America compliance requirements, domestic content reporting, and government procurement regulations.
- Experience managing supplier relationships, negotiating pricing and contracts, and supporting material planning, inventory management, and MRP-driven purchasing processes.
- Working knowledge of international procurement practices, including tariffs, HTS classifications, customs processes, country-of-origin requirements, and import/export logistics.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear/listen.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to work with computers and a keyboard.
- Prolonged periods of performing repetitive tasks
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Travel
Minimal travel (Up to 15%) may be required.
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
