Role Summary:

Cascade Engineering is a Family of Companies where we invest in People, Planet and Profit. We have been in business for 49 years in Grand Rapids, Michigan. We manufacture automotive parts, material handling, and office furniture, polymer compounding, waste and recycling.

Cascade Engineer has an exciting opening for a Purchasing Specialist. Do you have a passion for communicating, organizing, tracking, interpreting data and striving to think outside the box in order to exceed customer expectations? Do you enjoy supporting purchasing functional groups?

Are you looking for a positive and encouraging environment? Are you seeking a position where you are included, recognized and celebrated? You belong here! Are you excited for what is ahead? We are too!

Responsibilities

Organizing: Performs diversified duties requiring considerable judgment to analyze requirements and consider quotations and proposals. Solicits and obtains quotations and makes value comparisons. Performs ongoing strategic and creative sourcing initiatives that will improve the company’s competitive position on the basis of total cost, lead-time and inventory management

Customer/Supplier Support: Tracks supplier performance and works with suppliers to improve performance issues as they arise. Contacts departments involved when substitutions or alternatives may be advantageous. Secures samples and arranges for tests when necessary

Day to Day: Maintains detailed and orderly records. Must be capable of effectively interfacing with all functional areas and at all levels within the company. Participates as needed in internal problem solving/improvement activities. Other duties as assigned by supervisor

Team Work: Participates in VE/VA, RIE, and APQP teams as needed. Places purchase orders and blanket orders based on planning documents. Follows up on delivery performance and conducts reviews as required. Builds solid working relationships with suppliers and internal customers. Supports federal, state, and local legal and regulatory requirements. Travel about 20% of time

Culture Bearer

• CES methodology and thinking with an emphasis on True North
• Understands and supports the values of the Triple Bottom Line (TBL)
• Exhibits high moral and ethical standards and high integrity
• Values people regardless of their background
• Exhibits the traits of a servant leader
• Exhibit the principles of 7 Habits and Emotional Intelligence
• Encourages open dialogue and communication
• Develops high trust relationships within all levels of the organization
• Pursues Excellence

Cascade Enterprise System / Lean / Operational Excellence

• Operate within the Strategy Deployment system by supporting Level 0 and Level 1 Initiatives through their department’s Mission and VSA A3s
• Support the CES Management System within their gemba
• Understand their role utilizing CES Management System and Tools
• Responsible for their personal contribution to achieving CES Immersion for themselves and for the team they are a part of
• Be in compliance with and understand the role of Leader Standard Work that focuses on eliminating the 7 forms of waste in the pursuit of excellence for themselves and the team that they are a part of
• Maintain a shop floor focus by understanding how your department impacts the production process and manufacturing’s pursuit of operational excellence

Minimum Education, Experience and Core Competency Requirements

• HSD or GED with 5 years’ experience
• Meets expectation of the CE core competencies
• Strong oral, listening and written communication skills at multiple levels
• Strong problem solving ability
• Analytical and detail oriented
• Effective time management skills; able to manage multiple responsibilities with varying deadlines
• Understand Purchasing concepts
• Proficient with MS Office software with ability to develop charts, graphs, spreadsheets and documents
• Excellent data entry accuracy
• Strong math skills
• Basic understanding of manufacturing processes and practices

Preferred Education, Experience and Core Competency Requirements

• Bachelor degree, business or engineering preferred
• Expert with QAD and Excel
• Preferred experience in MQ1 and electronic RFQ system
• Understanding of accounting functions

Benefits

• Competitive pay
• Weekly pay
• Medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage effective day 1 of hire
• 401K match effective day of hire
• Flexible hours
• Collaborative team environment
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement
• Adoption assistance

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