Summary:  Manage the purchasing function for New-Indy Containerboard’s West Coast paper mill located in Oxnard, California.  Manage the procurement process and coordinates activities of support staff in purchasing and distributing raw materials, equipment, machinery, and supplies in industrial plant.

Essential Functions of the Job:

• Identify opportunities to capitalize on purchasing contracts with vendors that supply the Oxnard paper mill.
• Establish purchasing policies and procedures and direct purchasing programs accordingly.
• Establish procedures to accomplish procurement of a variety of materials in a cost-effective manner.
• Prepare and assign purchase orders, bid requests, and change notices.
• Expedite orders and requests as needed.
• Determine method of procurement, such as direct purchase or bid.
• Analyze market and delivery conditions to determine present and future material availability and prepare market analysis reports.
• Keep informed of economic, industrial, and other trends that affect markets, prices, and delivery conditions.
• Review and monitor requisitions, supply sources, supplies, quotations, terms, bid proposals and negotiate contracts within budgetary limitations and scope of authority, etc.
• Maintain procurement records, such as items or services purchased, costs, delivery, product quality or performance, and inventories.
• Recommend major purchases of materials based on anticipated changes in prices or on unusual availability situations.
• Review purchase order claims and contracts for conformance to company policy.
• Lead contract negotiations and vendor selection.
• Monitor performance and capabilities of vendors to ensure maintenance of delivery, quality, and price commitments.
• May work with manufacturers or persuade potential vendors to undertake the manufacturing of custom-designed items according to user’s specific needs and specifications.
• Discuss defective or unacceptable goods or services with inspection or quality control personnel, users, vendors, and others to determine source of trouble and take corrective action.
• Arrange for disposal of surplus materials.
• Supervises and evaluate job performance of purchasing department personnel.
• Act as a liaison in dealings between vendors and user departments when necessary.
• May expedite delivery of goods to users.
• Other duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities:  This position may supervise exempt and non-exempt support staff.  Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws.  Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Management or equivalent technical education and/or proven work experience
• Minimum 8-10 years of experience at a manufacturing facility required
• 5 years or more of paper mill experience a plus
• Supervision experience required

Other Skills:

• Excellent negotiation skills, problem-solving and analytical skills. Mechanical aptitude a plus.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Demonstrated leadership and organizational skills
• Knowledge of the Microsoft Suite and Maximo, asset management program
• Competencies: detail orientated, managerial courage, problem solving, organizational skills

Physical Demands:

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to:
  • Sit at a desk for long periods of time, or sit while driving a car
  • Frequently use hands to type on a computer keyboard, answer the telephone and file documents
  • Frequently walk within the office and occasionally the distance of a large manufacturing facility
  • Occasionally reach with hands and arms above the shoulders
  • Vision abilities required are close vision and depth perception

Work Environment:

• The noise level within the office is usually quiet and the temperature is regulated to be comfortable.
• Occasionally the employee is exposed to the Mill work environment which can be hot, and the noise level is loud.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually loud (80+dB).
• Frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions.
• Occasionally exposed to loud, moving mechanical equipment, high precarious places.