Customer Service Representative

Job Title: Chemicals Buyer 1 

Grade: 13     

Date: February 21, 2025       

Reports To:     Supply Chain Manager/Supervisor, Chemicals Procurement

Number of Direct Reports: 0

Function:       

FLSA Status: Non-exempt     

Job Summary:

 Accountability and Scope:

The Chemical Buyer 1 position is an entry level purchasing role.  This role is responsible for working with external suppliers and internal staff to provide an extraordinary service to our customers, while balancing the dynamics of price, lead time logistics and on-time delivery of products. This individual is expected to gain procurement experience, sound business acumen, customer care, and communication skills. In addition to procurement, this position includes direct contact with customers, suppliers and several different departmental employees within our distribution hubs, and stocking locations.  The Chemical Buyer I must provide excellent customer service support, resolve client issues and improve client satisfaction. 

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Under the guidance of a senior buyer or department manager, learn and become competent in developing and preparing accurate purchase orders for chemicals, and processing all paperwork related to chemical purchases, including purchase order revisions.
• Contact chemical suppliers to obtain competitive prices, determine availability, terms, and delivery schedule regarding specific requisitions; evaluate quotes from various sources and recommend awards.
• Execute duties with responsiveness, accuracy, and meet or exceed the defined performance metrics.
• Work with suppliers in support of all procurement efforts, delivery, and/or quality, including problem resolution and material expedites.
• Act as a focal point for the resolution of procurement discrepancies by communicating with Customers and suppliers, interfacing with multiple business and computer systems; and initiating actions related to invoices and payments, receiving quantities and schedules, inspections and rejections and other related issues
• Resolve customer services issues, concerns and escalating issues as needed.
• Initiate and escalate critical material expedites of Open POs to ensure on-time deliveries.
• Primary point of contact for day-to-day supply chain service activities to internal employees and external clients.
• Responsible for accurately updating all required records related to chemical procurement as needed within the tools and systems used by the company and clients.
• Administer Customer Contract Requirements specific to the Chemical Procurement services contracted and ensure supplier compliance with site and client requirements.
• Maintain a positive image of the company with our customers, while demonstrating high standards of business ethics and integrity. Act within the scope of authority and remain consistent with the company’s objectives, guidelines, policies and practices.
• Work with a positive approach when engaging both internal and external clients.
• Be responsive to requests from Manager/Hub/Client i.e. product non-conformances, material expedite requests, etc.
• Monitor Open PO report, proactively identify and address possible delivery expedite issues. Implement corrective actions to achieve desired results.
• Execute or escalate the logistics of purchases, including having the product delivered to the correct locations while meeting EH&S requirements.
• Provide excellent customer service support and timely responses to clients with requests and inquiries.
• Coordinates with other departments as needed to meet the customer requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned

 Education:

• High School Diploma or GED, with five years of related industry experience is required; Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) credential, is preferred, OR;
• Bachelor's degree in related fields AND one to two years of buying experience; and/or any equivalent combination of experience and/or education

Qualifications and Experience:

• Strong verbal, written communication and presentation skills, with emphasis in Quality and Customer Service
• Positive attitude and ability to function as a team player.
• Ability to interact professionally across all levels of the organization
• Ability to obtain a technical acumen for reading and comprehending technical specifications and requirements
• Ability to be detailed oriented and perform basic research
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills
• Excellent customer service skills with the ability to deal tactfully, confidently and ethically with both internal and external customers
• Strong follow-through and perseverance to handle multiple tasks simultaneously
• Ability to learn and gain knowledge of the integrated database systems and report writing software; as well as Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word and Excel, as needed
• One to two years of experience working in purchasing, supply chain or banking industry preferred but not required

Ability to travel is required (minimal)

Competencies and Behaviors: 

• Communication
• Collaborating
• Customer Orientation
• Strong time management skills

Physical Requirements: Sitting/standing at computer; work in office/remote environment 

Location:

Remote

Work authorization requirements:

(Visas or Security Clearance etc.) ITAR requirements met

Work Environment

Primarily Office setting. May require standing and sitting.

The description provided above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties, responsibilities and requirements. Duties, responsibilities and requirements may change over time and according to business need. This is not a contract, expressed or implied.