Purchasing Assistant

Basic Information

• Job Title: Purchasing Assistant

• Department: Office

• Reports to: Assistant Purchasing

• Location: Houston, TX 77073

• Scheduled work hours: M-F: 9AM – 6PM; 1 hr. lunch. OT may apply

• Assist with managing relationships with domestic vendors by negotiating prices and contracts, and building and maintaining vendor relationships.

• Monitor and analyze daily inventory levels and create purchasing plans based on order volume, assortment and lead time for products.

• Issue purchase orders to domestic vendors.

• Assist in scheduling deliveries, handling shipment issues, ensuring timely fulfillment of orders and escalating issues to management when needed.

• Answer questions regarding products, shipping schedules, item status, inventory discrepancies and substitute items.

• Ensure food products comply with FDA and USDA regulation standards.

• Assist with food safety-related issues and work with the Sales Department to handle customer returns and complaints; escalation issues to management when needed.

• Assist in setting up stock numbers for new items and products.

• Coordinate with the Warehouse Department to inspect received products for damage, verify quantity accuracy, document findings and report issues to management.

• Collaborate with the Sales and Warehouse departments to identify customer needs and preferences; support product research and development for the branch by tasting and evaluating sample products.

• Conduct inventory checks when discrepancies arise in the warehouse inventory.

• Process receipts and invoices for payment to the accounting department.

• Coordinate and attend semiannual inventory count on designated day, possibly on a weekend.

• Attend Company events and functions outside of normal working hours.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Obligation to answer all management as requested.

• Ability to sit and work in an office setting for an extended period.

• Ability to type and use a computer for extended period.

• Ability to talk, hear, walk, stand, reach, bend, kneel, and lift and/or move up to 25 pounds occasionally.

• Working Conditions:

  • Noise Level: Normal to loud

  • Location:
    
    Indoors

• Demonstrate strong organization skills and attention to detail.
• Possess basic mathematical knowledge such as markups, discounts, counting inventory, weight and measurement conversions, combining, etc.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, customer service and problem-solving skills.
• Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office including Excel, Word and Outlook.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Business Central and ERP systems preferred.
• Knowledge of Japanese foods and liquors preferred.