Purchasing Agent

About Nexstep Commercial Products: Nexstep Commercial Products, exclusive licensee of O-Cedar, is the most recognized name in cleaning tools in the United States. Nexstep provides our customers with innovative, top-quality products at very competitive prices while offering world-class customer service. It is the commitment of the associates of Nexstep to make cleaning quicker and easier for today’s operators/end users. Position Overview: We are currently seeking a dynamic, energetic, and team-oriented Purchasing Agent with strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills to join our team. This is a full-time, permanent, in-person position, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., located in Springfield, Ohio Key Responsibilities: Prepare, enter, and distribute purchase orders to vendors, ensuring accuracy and timely processing of purchasing needs. Monitor purchasing communications and respond to vendor inquiries regarding lead times, order status, pricing, product quality, and other purchasing-related concerns. Monitor shipments from domestic and overseas suppliers, coordinating incoming containers and expediting or de-expediting orders as needed. Maintain strong vendor relationships and conduct vendor reviews, site visits, and other evaluations as needed to better understand supplier capabilities, processes, and performance. Proactively identify and implement cost-saving opportunities through vendor negotiations, pricing analysis, purchasing efficiencies, and supplier evaluations while maintaining product quality and service levels. Maintain vendor records, reports, pricing information, and scorecards, including preparing and distributing scorecards to key suppliers. Track vendor pricing changes throughout the year and update vendor costs and pricing information in Sage. Set up new vendors and maintain accurate vendor information within Sage, including making necessary updates and revisions. Utilize SIA and other purchasing tools to analyze inventory needs and identify items requiring purchase. Monitor and verify inventory levels and accuracy, including participating in physical inventory activities at the Paxton and Springfield facilities. Maintain and update out-of-stock reports, operations spreadsheets, pricing spreadsheets, vendor reports, and other purchasing-related documentation. Coordinate with Sales and Operations regarding shipment delays, shortages, product quality concerns, inventory issues, and other supply-related matters. Attend Quality meetings as needed and participate in Sales and Operations meetings twice annually. Collaborate with internal teams and vendors to identify and resolve purchasing, inventory, quality, and delivery issues. Travel to visit suppliers as needed. Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Business, management, accounting, or supply chain-related field Minimum of 3 years of experience in procurement, purchasing, or supply chain management Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively as part of a team Proactive and self-motivated, with the ability to identify potential purchasing, inventory, or supply issues and take appropriate action before they impact operations Strong understanding of purchasing and vendor management, with the ability to establish and maintain effective supplier relationships. Ability to evaluate suppliers based on pricing, quality, reliability, lead times, and overall performance Experience managing purchase orders, vendor pricing, inventory levels, shipments, and related documentation Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to review purchasing and inventory data and make informed decisions Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects effectively in a fast-paced environment Proficiency in Microsoft 365 with emphasis on Excel required. Sage or other ERP system experience required and EDI experience preferred. Strong attention to detail and accuracy when entering orders, maintaining vendor inform…

View the full posting and apply