Purchasing Specialist I

Description Ascensus Specialties is seeking a detail-oriented and collaborative Purchasing Specialist I to join our team onsite in Newburyport, MA. In this role, you will source and purchase specialty chemicals to support our catalog chemical business. This position manages assigned product categories across the entire procurement lifecycle—from supplier identification and qualification through quotation, negotiation, purchase order placement, delivery tracking, and supplier performance management. Working at our Newburyport facility, this role partners closely with Sales, Product Management, Quality, EHS, Regulatory, Warehouse, and Finance to maintain product availability, competitive cost structures, compliant documentation, and reliable supply continuity. Key Responsibilities EHS Expectations Maintain personal accountability for self-safety and the safety of others across all facility activities. Report incidents, near misses, unsafe acts, and unsafe conditions promptly to appropriate personnel. Adhere strictly to company EHS procedures, participating actively in EHS meetings, training, and continuous improvement initiatives. Maintain work areas in full compliance with federal, state, and local regulations and internal site policies. Category Management & Sourcing Manage assigned specialty-chemical categories and catalog SKUs, balancing customer demand, inventory targets, lead times, shelf life, and working-capital objectives. Issue requests for quotation (RFQs) and evaluate supplier offers based on chemical identity, CAS number, grade, purity, specification, pack size, minimum order quantity (MOQ), lead time, payment terms, freight, duties, and total landed cost. Identify, evaluate, and develop domestic and international suppliers; coordinate commercial qualification in close partnership with Quality and EHS teams for technical acceptance and hazard reviews. Negotiate pricing, terms, supply commitments, and service expectations to enhance profit margins, material availability, and supply continuity. Procurement Execution & Supply Chain Coordination Create accurate purchase orders incorporating approved specifications, packaging, labeling, documentation, delivery schedules, and change-notification requirements. Monitor open orders, confirm supplier acknowledgments, expedite shortages, resolve delivery bottlenecks, and proactively communicate supply risks to internal stakeholders. Collaborate with Quality, Regulatory, and EHS to collect and maintain current supplier documentation, including specifications, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), Technical Data Sheets (TDS), Certificates of Analysis (CoA), and regulatory declarations. Coordinate with Logistics and Warehouse teams regarding hazardous-material handling, temperature-control parameters, packaging, import compliance, and transportation requirements. Inventory Planning & Master Data Analyze demand, usage trends, stock status, backorders, forecast changes, and lead times to recommend optimal reorder quantities, safety stock levels, and alternate supply sources. Maintain accurate supplier, item, pricing, lead-time, procurement, and compliance master data in ERP and catalog management systems. Support new product introductions (NPI), customer sourcing requests, and catalog expansion by securing samples, competitive pricing, technical data, and commercial terms. Track supplier performance across quality, service delivery, responsiveness, and cost metrics; assist Quality with corrective actions and establish secondary-source plans for critical products. Perform other related duties of a similar nature and complexity as directed. Skills, Knowledge and Expertise Education & Experience Associate degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Chemistry, or a related field required; Bachelor’s degree preferred. (Relevant practical experience will be considered in place of formal degree requirements.) Two to five years of purchasing, procurement, supply chain, or related experien…

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