Procurement Specialist - Innovative Product Achievements LLC

COVID-19 considerations:

IPA is mandating that all of our employees must have the COVID vaccine. To be considered for this position, you must be fully vaccinated before the start of employment. Exemptions and accommodations will be made for legitimate religious or medical reasons.

Job Title: Procurement Specialist

Job Location: Duluth, Georgia

Work Schedule: Hybrid: M-F 

Position Overview

Reporting directly to the Materials Manager, the Procurement Specialist is responsible for managing the procurement process, sourcing suppliers, negotiating contracts, and ensuring the timely availability of materials and services needed for manufacturing and production operations. Additionally, this role will work with the Quality department and vendors to ensure rejected materials are returned and proper credits are allocated back to our accounts.  This role plays a crucial part in maintaining cost-effective procurement practices, including supplier relationship management to reduce costs, optimizing the supply chain and supporting efficient production processes.

Essential Core Duties

Supplier Identification and Selection:

• Identify, evaluate, and select suppliers to meet the organization's procurement needs, considering factors such as cost, quality, lead time, business continuity, and diversity.
• Conduct supplier evaluations and assessments to determine suitability and alignment with company objectives.
• Maintain a supplier database with up-to-date information on contracts, capabilities, pricing, and performance.

Contract Negotiation and Management:

• Negotiate terms with suppliers, including price, quality, quantity, lead time, method of delivery, and expectations.
• Review and analyze contractual terms and conditions to mitigate risks and ensure compliance.
• Collaborate with finance and other internal teams to finalize and manage contracts throughout their lifecycle.
• Monitor supplier performance, issue quarterly scorecards, and address any contractual issues or disputes.

Supplier Relationship Management:

• Liaise with suppliers to communicate material changes, delivery dates, quantities, and pricing.
• Ensure rejected materials are returned and proper credits are allocated back to our accounts.
• Resolve supplier-related issues such as supplier performance, delivery, or quality promptly, ensuring timely resolution and maintaining positive supplier relationships.
• Foster strong relationships with suppliers to enhance collaboration, problem-solving, and long-term value.
• Collaborate with suppliers to drive continuous improvement, enhance quality, and optimize supply chain processes.
• Identify and develop alternate sources of supply to mitigate risk and enhance supply chain flexibility.
• Visit vendors to for introductions and to maintain a strong partnership.

Purchase Order Management:

• Create purchase orders based on manufacturing needs and sales forecasts, ensuring accuracy and alignment with procurement requirements.
• Monitor the status of purchase orders, track deliveries, and address any delays or issues that may arise.
• Work closely with internal teams to ensure procurement requirements are met and timely communication is maintained.
• Invoice Verification and Payment Authorization:
• Analyze supplier invoices for accuracy, ensuring that prices, quantities, and terms align with the purchase order and contract.
• Collaborate with the Accounts Payable department to authorize payment for approved invoices.

Inventory Monitoring:

• Monitor inventory levels to ensure a positive flow of goods, maintaining adequate stock levels and avoiding shortages or excess inventory.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to forecast and plan inventory needs, optimizing inventory management practices.

Cross-functional Collaboration:

• Work closely with the Production, Quality, and Engineering teams to understand procurement requirements and specifications.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure alignment of procurement activities with business objectives and production needs.

Process Improvement:

• Continuously evaluate and improve procurement processes to increase efficiency and effectiveness.
• Analyze procurement data and metrics to identify trends, cost-saving opportunities, and areas for process optimization.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement process enhancements and automation tools.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, business administration, or a related field (preferred).
• 3+ years of experience in procurement, sourcing, or supply chain roles.
• Strong knowledge of procurement strategies, supplier management, and production planning principles.
• Proven experience in negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, and achieving cost savings.

Additional Qualifications & Skills:

• Advanced Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
• Strong negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in using a major MRP package.
• Ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional teams and adapt to changing priorities.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and time management abilities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for effective stakeholder and supplier management.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic manufacturing environment.

Work Schedule / Position Status:

• Hybrid: Monday to Friday
• Full Time – Regular
• Salary – Exempt

Benefits:

• Paid holidays & paid time off
• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Telemedicine
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Company-paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Company-paid Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment
• 401k with company match
• Employee Stock Purchase program
• Commuter Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid holidays & paid time off
• Paid Parental Leave

ABOUT THE COMPANY

IPA is the leading manufacturer of linen and specialty uniform distribution solutions. IPA provides the most advanced range of solutions for the management and automation of healthcare linen and specialty uniforms. We design advanced software and hardware solutions that allows you to monitor and manage distribution processes efficiently while increasing staff satisfaction, reducing infection risks and reducing costs. Our solutions are made in the U.S.A and are installed in more than 1,000 hospitals worldwide.

Since the introduction of our first healthcare linen automation product in 1995, IPA has grown to become the market leader with more than 900,000 healthcare professionals utilizing our technology each day. Our customer base ranges from community hospitals to leading academic hospitals, including 18 of the 20 hospitals recognized on the U.S. News and World Report Best Hospitals Honor Roll, 2022-2023.

Our focus is on reducing the cost of healthcare and it is this focus that drives us to deliver quality solutions to our customers every day.

For more about life at IPA visit https://www.thinkipa.com/careers

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c) Operations