Purchasing Coordinator

Job DetailsJob Location: Body & Home Manufacturing site - Nashville, TN 37209Position Type: Full TimeEducation Level: High SchoolTravel Percentage: NegligibleJob Shift: DayJob Category: ManufacturingAs the Purchasing Coordinator at Thistle Farms Body & Home, you will embody Thistle Farms’ core values of radical hospitality and quality matters as you support the manufacturing operations by ensuring timely and accurate procurement of raw materials, components, supplies and services required to produce and deliver Thistle Farms’ products.   Our Body & Home operation manufactures and distributes body care and home products to customers across the country.  We manufacture across ~20 product categories and manage ~1,700 finished product SKUs.  We manage domestic and international supplier relationships to procure and purchase over 500 individual raw material SKUs across our vendor relationships.      We are seeking an experienced professional to join our team and contribute to our mission.  In this role, you will be responsible for working across the organization (1) to create and process purchase orders, (2) to communicate and coordinate with suppliers, (3) to maintain procurement records and (4) to support efficient and uninterrupted manufacturing operations.   Your efforts and contributions in this role directly support our ability to spread the awareness and joy of Thistle Farms mission which is embodied in every hand-made product delivered to our customers and supporters worldwide.   In this role, you will complete an initial rotation in the Finance & Operations department at our Corporate office where you will learn the accounting, financial and operational aspects of the purchasing function at Thistle Farms.  Following the initial rotation, it is expected you will join the Body & Home manufacturing team at our manufacturing facility on a full-time basis where you will work with Director of Body & Home and peers in the Purchasing role which includes the following Duties & Responsibilities:    Position Responsibilities Essential Responsibilities Consistently monitors and communicates multiple operational items with the Inventory and Warehouse Manager and Production Manager to include: Reviews and proactively manages forecasted raw material, component and supply requirements. Creates, issues and tracks purchase orders for raw materials, components, supplies and other production-related services. Communicates with suppliers regarding pricing, lead times, order confirmations and delivery schedules. Supports inventory control by monitoring stock levels, initiating timely orders and alerting the Organization of shortages. Ensures all purchase requisitions and purchase orders are appropriately approved and recorded in the Inventory Management system. Maintains accurate purchasing, supplier and material records in the Inventory Management system. Monitors purchase orders and follows up on outstanding orders to ensure on-time delivery to meet production requirements. Assists the Inventory and Warehouse Manager to resolve discrepancies related to shortages, damaged materials, pricing and delivery delays. Ensures procurement activities comply with company policies, quality standards and regulatory requirements.   Additional Responsibilities Attends meetings and training as assigned. Completes other duties as assigned. Qualifications Minimum Requirements Education and Experience Position requires a high school diploma or equivalent; associate degree in business, supply chain, or related field preferred and 2+ years of previous experience in purchasing or clerical roles within a manufacturing environment. Must have experience using ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Office (especially Excel). Physical Requirements Performing the duties of this position requires the ability to sit, stand for extended periods of time, and walk throughout manufacturing and warehouse areas, bending, standing, lifting and reaching arms above head. Performing the duties of this position requires the ability lift 15 lbs. Regularly and up to 40lbs occasionally.   Working Conditions Primarily office-based with regular interaction with production and warehouse areas Standard business operating hours and schedule (8 hours; 5 days weekly)   Skills & Competencies Demonstrates effective communication and vendor coordination skills. Demonstrates the ability to work effectively and efficiently in a fast-paced environment. Demonstrates a high level of organization and attention to detail, maintains a clean and functional workspace. Demonstrates the ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced production environment. Demonstrates the ability to analyze, purchase, track and organize hundreds of individual SKUs across dozens of vendors. Demonstrates familiarity with manufacturing materials, BOMs (bill of materials), and production processes is an asset. Demonstrates strong problem-solving skills related to supply shortages and delivery issues. Demonstrates excellent time management and the ability to meet production-driven deadlines. Demonstrates a foundational  understanding of inventory management and purchasing procedures. Demonstrates the ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional manufacturing teams.     Thistle Farms provides equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity, genetic information, service in the military, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Equal employment opportunities apply to all terms and conditions of employment. Thistle Farms reserves the rights to modify, interpret, or apply this job description in any way the organization desires. This job description in no way implies that these are the only duties, including essential duties, to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities. This job description is not an employment contract, implied or otherwise. The employment relationship remains “At-Will.”