Scope: 

The Purchasing Agent plays a critical role in ensuring the efficient procurement of products and services to meet business needs and commitments. This internship position supports various departments by clarifying requirements, evaluating suppliers, placing orders, and managing supplier relationships across the operational footprint. The Purchasing Agent will also contribute to the development and implementation of sourcing strategies, policies, and procedures to drive successful purchasing initiatives, execute contracts, and maintain strong vendor relationships.

Essential Functions: (other duties may be assigned)

Sourcing:

• Coordinate the identification and evaluation of effective purchasing methods and optimal sources for product or service expenditures.

• Promote and drive the adoption of sourced programs to maximize value for the company.

• Collaborate with management, field personnel, requestors, and stakeholders to clarify specifications, establish source alternatives, and enhance value for orders.

• Conduct research and support efforts to identify and evaluate new or alternative suppliers that meet business requirements.

• Assist in developing RFPs and guide participating suppliers through the RFP process, including providing analysis and documentation of proposals.

• Review KPI reports to identify and address opportunities for improvement

Operational Procurement:

• Coordinate the identification and evaluation of effective purchasing methods and optimal sources for product or service expenditures.

• Promote and drive the adoption of sourced programs to maximize value for the company.

• Collaborate with management, field personnel, requestors, and stakeholders to clarify specifications, establish source alternatives, and enhance value for orders.

• Conduct research and support efforts to identify and evaluate new or alternative suppliers that meet business requirements.

• Assist in developing RFPs and guide participating suppliers through the RFP process, including providing analysis and documentation of proposals.

• Review KPI reports to identify and address opportunities for improvement

Qualifications

• Must be actively enrolled in a degree program in Human Resources, Business Administration, Accounting, Communications or similar program.

Personal Characteristics and Competencies:

• Proactive customer service orientation.

• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.

• Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment and handle multiple tasks simultaneously.

• Must possess strong attention to detail, good organizational skills with the ability to ensure accurate work.

• Entrepreneurial spirit combined with prudence. (i.e., consideration of long-term risks and opportunities). Highly developed organizational influence and negotiation skills.

• Strong people and culture manager with a track record of building bench strength, leading leaders, and maximizing the impact of the organization.

• A self-confident, proactive professional who can successfully lead in a fast-changing business environment.

• Tough minded with the courage of convictions to drive critical strategies and programs through to completion.

• A change agent willing to take measured risk and who is committed to deliver on commitments to the organization.

• Personal and professional alignment to NESL’s Cultural Goals:

  • Focus & Integrity to Do What’s Right

  • Know the Numbers, Know the Business

  • Embrace Change

  • Intentionally Collaborative