EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Lafayette Instrument Company is an equal opportunity employer who values a diverse workforce.

Lafayette Instrument Company was voted Lafayette’s Small Business of the month in September 2016. If you are interested in working for a small, well established, family-oriented company, please consider one of our available day shift positions. We are proud to offer competitive pay and benefits and to manufacture and distribute products that improve safety, security, and wellness worldwide.

We promote a drug-free and safe workplace through pre-employment screening. Ideal candidates are highly motivated and productive with strong communication and attention to detail skills. All candidates must have the ability and desire to thrive in a fast moving, team-based environment where there are always new opportunities to keep the work interesting.

PURCHASING AGENT/BUYER

The Purchasing Agent is responsible for procuring raw materials and finished goods for a high-mix low-volume manufacturing company.

Visit our job listing to apply online!

Benefits

• Company medical, dental and vision plans
• Wellness Program
• 401K Matching
• Educational reimbursement
• Competitive vacation package
• 9 company paid holidays

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Identify and qualify vendors
• Monitor and document vendor performance (timely delivery, cost, quality) and manage relationships
• Assist in selecting the appropriate/available materials and coordinating the material requirements planning efforts
• Negotiate best pricing via direct purchase or bid request
• Work with other teams to drive down total delivered costs
• Work closely with other teams to ensure seamless transitions in any design changes and fulfillment of any new items to support new product introductions
• Create, review, and update Purchase Orders, maintain pricing, track backorders, monitor delivery schedules
• Manage expediting, cancellations, and deferrals
• Coordinate all related documentation
• Correspond and communicate with internal customers and suppliers
• Assist in resolving delivery, receiving and accounts payable discrepancies
• Maintain working knowledge of business needs in order to satisfy customers
• Work with suppliers to identify, research and resolve issues, develop corrective actions, and monitor progress
• Monitor inventory levels
• Keep customer and vendor back-orders to a minimum
• Communicate and resolve product manufactured problems with the R&D Department for items with the highest priority for release
• Manages the daily operations of purchase orders placement - ensures resources are utilized appropriately
• Procure raw materials, outside processing, corrugated, machining, laser, fabricated products and warehouse supplies
• Ability to read and understand product drawings (e.g. CAD)
• Negotiate with vendors and ensure vendors are meeting performance expectations
• Work with Engineering on new product designs
• Ability to perform with minimal supervision and adapt to changes as necessary
• Approve invoices for payment
• Other duties as assigned, including but not limited to vacation back-up for other members of the operations team

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree (Supply Chain, Business, etc.) or equivalent experience considered
• 3-years of related experienced
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to effectively plan, organize and prioritize work
• Ethical, self-directed professional with the ability to work independently and in groups
• Must have good organizational and problem-solving skills
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and ERP systems (Made2Manage preferred)
• A sense of urgency in responding to issues and opportunities
• Understanding of lean (6 Sigma, Kanban, Continuous Improvement) and purchasing principles and concepts
• Ability to work in a sometimes fast-paced environment
• Must be able to drive quick and effective solutions to complex problems
• Analytical/technical writing
• Problem analysis/solving
• Strong customer focus with the ability to effectively interact with internal and external customers
• Knowledge of essential manufacturing products/channels/markets