Diamond Graphics, Inc. (Ramsey, MN) is a total solution pre-paid card manufacturer providing the telecommunication, stored value, and direct marketing industries best in class plastic and paper cards. Employing over 100 people in our 90,000 square foot facility, we produce 500,000,000 cards per year using state-of-the-art equipment to control all aspects of card manufacturing including: pre-press, printing, cutting, personalization, affixing, packaging and mailing. We are dedicated to our customer's success serving small and midsized business, as well as, most nationally recognized retailers and pre-paid providers. Primary Purpose: The purpose of the Purchasing Agent at Diamond Graphics, Inc. is to centralize the purchasing function, develop key systems and processes and to drive greater cost savings and efficiency. The Purchasing Agent's primary role is to maximize the effectiveness of the purchasing process and inventory control, as well as to minimize overall supply costs. Areas of Impact: Profitability by maintaining the correct level of inventory, and best pricing available. Essential Job Responsibilities: 1. Inventory Management: Effectively manage and control inventory to ensure necessary levels needed for production. (40% of time) Ensure accuracy of incoming product, and timeliness with attention to incorrect or damaged products. Manage production raw material inventory levels. Ensure on-time delivery of inventory. 2. Cost Control: Ensure efficient cost controls through accuracy of costs, seeking cost savings, and keeping costs current within the ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system. (20% of time) Maintain current vendor cost information. Receive and manage vendor notifications. Enter current costs in ERP system. Seek cost savings, where available. Collaborate with Accounting Department to manage monthly cut-off. Review invoices for accuracy of cost. 3. Purchasing Systems and Processes: Effectively develop "next-level" purchasing systems, processes and tools in order to improve overall company efficiency and productivity. (5% of time) Modify or develop purchasing systems and processes to ensure the efficient and effective operation of production. Develop a logistics system for inventory. Set up necessary systems to take purchasing to the "next-level" of maturity. 4. Inventory Purchasing: Manage and execute the purchasing of all production related supplies. (Excluding office, maintenance, and IT supplies) (25% of time) a. Complete purchase orders. b. Understand and work with vendor cycles to ensure availability of necessary supplies. c. Collaborate with internal resources to understand supply needs and deadlines. 5. Vendor Relations: Develop and maintain vendor partnerships to ensure we have the most supplies with the most efficient pricing. (5% of time) Work with vendors to establish service level expectations, maintain inventory levels and establish adequate pricing levels. Continuously explore volume purchasing and rebate opportunities. Establish vendor scorecard, which sets expectations and measures performance for each individual vendor. 6. Material Research and Trends: Maintain current knowledge of materials, industry trends, and purchasing related information. (5% of Time) Stay current with materials and industry trends. Stay current with "next-level" purchasing systems and processes. Continuously improve skills and abilities related to the role and organizational objectives. Competencies/Skills: Decision Making: The ability to effectively utilize processes to make the right decision, at the right time, with the right purpose. Self-Management: The ability to demonstrate self-control, while managing time and priorities. Personal Accountability: The ability to be accountable to personal actions. Continuous Learning: The ability to take initiative to learn and implement new concepts, technologies, and/or methods. Planning & Organization: The ability to utilize logical, systematic and orderly procedures to meet objectives. Flexibility: The agility to adapt to change. Problem Solving Ability: The ability to effectively anticipate, analyze, diagnose, and resolve problems.