Purchasing Agent - Maintenance & Outside Services

Job Description

SUMMARY: The Purchasing Agent specializes in maintenance and outside services, overseeing the strategic sourcing, negotiation, and management of vendor contracts for maintenance-related activities. This role ensures the timely and cost‑effective procurement of services, equipment, and materials required for facility upkeep, contractor support, and operational efficiency.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Include the following. Other duties may be assigned at management’s discretion.

Develop and manage relationships with third‑party service providers, ensuring performance, compliance, and cost‑effectiveness in maintenance‑related contracts.

• Analyze and support negotiation of long‑term contracts with suppliers to find savings that reflect positively on the bottom line and deliver the best value to the organization.
• Provide thorough estimating analysis & budgetary support.
• Perform market research to assist in making informed purchasing decisions.
• Compose competitive bids for various items, equipment & material handling. Manage all testing efforts, prepare justification for change and appropriation requests and obtain all necessary approvals.
• Negotiate and execute purchase orders or vendor contracts as needed to support the critical business needs.
• Facilitate reporting to Accounting and various levels of management, related to turnarounds and capital projects.
• Collaboratively develop plans for new supplier start‑up and assist operations with implementation.
• Conduct all business with vendors in a professional, arms‑length manner to ensure the integrity of the Company and its employees is not compromised.
• Manage payments and contract balances for contractors.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty/function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the work environment, knowledge, skills, and/or ability required or preferred. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions as listed below.

• College degree in business or supply chain preferred or must have equivalent combination of education and/or experience in lieu of degree.
• 3+ years’ purchasing experience required.
• Analytically savvy with a strong attention to detail.
• Advanced user of Microsoft Excel software.
• Must possess strong written and oral communication skills, have the ability to prepare reports and business correspondence and present information.
• Must be able to effectively respond to questions from customers, vendors and internal stakeholders.
• Position may be based at any of the Seaboard Energy facilities with a 25% expected travel time.

This position involves a combination of office work and operational activities. The role requires frequent walking, standing, and stair climbing, along with extended periods of computer use, including prolonged viewing of a monitor and typing. Employees may need to lift and carry items weighing up to 35 lbs and regularly perform bending, stooping, and kneeling. Exposure to varying temperatures and occasional work in non‑office environments is expected.

Adequate visual acuity for reading and data entry, as well as effective communication skills for phone, email, and in‑person interactions, are essential. Employees must be able to wear all required personal protective equipment (PPE) for their work areas.

Work environment is split between office and operational areas that are based on assigned units of a manufacturing plant, with frequent mobility through all areas of production. This position will be exposed to all outside climate conditions. The noise level varies from low to moderate levels within the office and varies widely within different areas of production at operational areas.

Monday through Friday, working hours to be determined. The working hours and days of work are established by departmental needs and at the discretion of management. Occasional extended hours or changes in schedule may be required as special circumstances arise.

• Traditional benefits…