Purchasing Lead Agent

Nichols Farms is one of the top processors/marketers of pistachios in the United States. For more than two decades, Nichols Farms has maintained superior quality and provided exceptional service to major retail and wholesale clients domestically and internationally. Nichols Farms maintains a state-of-the-art processing facility at their corporate headquarters in Hanford, California, employing over 350 employees. Join the Nichols Farms Team in their objective of continued growth. Nichols Farms is an employee-oriented company dedicated to training and growth of team members.

The Nichols Farms Mission and Vision supports a culture of striving for mutual success of our employees, suppliers and customers through operational excellence and educational development.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Will supervise and manage the purchasing of raw materials, products, supplies & services. Responsible for ensuring the receiving and processing or Purchase Request information from departments. Manage processing orders and scheduling of supplies, materials, equipment and services.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage the process of ordering of materials, supplies and equipment from vendors utilizing MRP X3 & Tableau.
• Approve purchases and track their progress to ensure orders are filled and delivered timely and accurately.
• Oversee the review of purchase orders for accuracy and costs.
• Effectively track and manage costs associated with purchases.
• Manage stock to maintain appropriate supply for production.
• Oversee and direct information into computer databases for effective recordkeeping.
• Work on project-based work as assigned by Purchasing Department.
• Responsible for compiling and maintaining data according to established policies and procedures.
• Organizes and maintains files and documentation thoroughly and accurately in accordance with company policy.
• Perform other tasks and special projects as assigned.

JOB COMPTENCIES:

• Safety Awareness: Ability to identify and correct conditions that affect employee safety.
• Leadership: Ability to influence others to perform their jobs effectively and to be responsible for making decisions. Ability to effectively build working relationships.
• Time Management: Ability to utilize the available time to organize and complete work within given deadlines.
• Adaptability: Ability to adapt to change in the workplace. Capable of functioning in a fast-paced entrepreneurial setting.
• Resource Management (People & Equipment) - Ability to obtain and appropriate the proper usage of equipment, facilities, materials, as well as personnel.
• Prioritization: Ability to quickly prioritize among numerous pressing tasks and manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written skills, as well as ability to make presentations.
• Team Involvement: Works effectively with teams and work groups. Actively participates in problem solving and interacts with team and work groups to achieve team and organizational goals.
• Continuous Improvement: Active participant in continuous improvement initiatives and goals. Seeks opportunities to improve self and processes.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• BA Degree in a related field or equivalent or combination of experience and/or training.
• MS Office proficiency.
• Purchasing experience preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS and WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a combination of an office environment and working outdoors. As part of the scope of this role minimal duties may include being inside the plant manufacturing environment, which may include high levels of noise. When working outdoors conditions can include extreme cold, heat, or humidity; and sometimes can include work in dusty conditions.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk, stand, climb stairs, and reach with hands and arms. The employee may lift and/or move up to 50 pounds occasionally. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision and depth perception. The employee will, at times, be required to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), as designated by the company. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This job description is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee's ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and the Company reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the Company may deem appropriate.

EOE/M/F/D/V