General Summary

The Purchasing Trainee’s primary responsibility will be to learn about Sunbelt, the role of the buyer, the products we purchase, how they are manufactured, how the material is transported from the mill to our plant, how it is processed at the plant level, and how it is sold. Training will include field training, training in the purchasing office, and training at the sawmill level. A trainee will also be responsible for assisting buyers and coordinators as instructed. Works under close direction of the Purchasing Manager; little discretion and judgment on work priority; and a small degree of creativity is expected.

Requirements Knowledge

• Bachelor degree in a related discipline or equivalent
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office including Excel, Word, Outlook and other software for business applications

Conduct

• • • • Self-managing; works well under little supervision
      • Highly motivated and enthusiastic
      • Proactive and self-started
      • Good interpersonal skills and good communicator
      • Proactive approach to situations
      • High level of motivation and sense of urgency
      • Strong organization skills, detail oriented and follows up on commitments.
      • Be a team player and support the Company’s goals
      • Conducts in a professional manner
      
      

Skills and Abilities

• Proficiency in the use of the English language in reading, writing and speaking
• Ability to successfully interact with all organizational levels and the public
• Demonstrated proficiency to manage multiple tasks, to set priorities, and to meet deadlines.
• Demonstrate proficiency in general telephone and office etiquette and legible handwriting
• Demonstrated ability to be mobile in the work environment and to travel as required
• Ability to learn and follow Sunbelt procedures
• Strong verbal, written, analytical, organizational, interpersonal skills
• Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize workload to meet needs and deadlines
• Capable of multi-tasking/handling multiple projects at the same time
• Ability to problem solve
• Ability to work closely with our plants and purchasing personnel
• Ability to pass a drug test

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• A Buyer Trainee’s primary responsibility will be to learn the following:
  • Learn the role of the buyer
  • Learn how to function in our system, ie. Creating & updating orders, tracing loads, etc.
  • Learn about the products we purchase and how they are manufactured
  • Learn how material is processed at the plant level
  • Learn how material is sold at the plant level
  • Learn how products are transported from the mill to our facilities or customers
• Develops a comprehensive knowledge of Company products and procedures through on-the-job training activities.
• Enter and check for complete and accurate information in mill acknowledgments
• Provide plants with accurate and complete purchase order information
• Advise others in department of possible issues, lateness, discrepancies, and inaccurate acknowledgements.
• Help with coordination with transportation group, and transportation issues.
• Know and become comfortable with department programs including VMIs, including updating weekly contract PO with pricing.
• Assist in developing and monitoring supplier programs
• Assisting department when needed with buying products and plant service
• Fill in for buyers or others in department when they are out of office
• Updating and expediting purchase orders
• Handling inquiries from the field
• Creates and maintains spreadsheets, reports, and other documents for department as needed.
• Communicating thoughts on market conditions to purchasing and (when directed) to the field.
• Claim handling and problem solving with assistance from Department Manager
• Able to provide plants with market information
• Interact with Transportation and Accounting Departments
• Interact with plants to ensure quality service
• Help in the developmental stage new product sourcing
• Have an awareness of plant inventory needs at all times and the confidence to buy those needs as the market may dictate, even when orders are not in the system
• Become knowledgeable in the departmental markets. Freely offer opinions and encourage feedback on market, buying strategies and departmental concerns.
• Identifies, researches, and resolves purchase order problems and opportunities
• All other duties assigned by the Department Manager
• Adhere to all Sunbelt policies, procedures and guidelines

• Prepares various reports as required.
• Performs other duties as required

Sunbelt Forest Products is a leading manufacturer of high-quality pressure treated lumber headquartered in Bartow, Florida, with plants in Rockledge, FL., Louisville, AL., Athens, AL., Ringgold GA., Thomaston, GA., Moneta, VA., Mosheim, TN., Hampton, VA., Fairless Hills, PA., and Greeneville, TN. We specialize in providing products that hold up to the harsh tropical climates of Florida, the Southeastern United States, and the Caribbean. We are committed to creating value for consumers and conserving forests by extending the life of wood and wood products.
We are proud to be an EEO/AA Employer, maintain a drug-free workplace and offer competitive salary and benefits (health, dental, vision, paid vacation, and Holidays, 401(k) plan with matching contribution, company sponsored and additional voluntary life insurance, short and long-term disability). Prospective employees will receive consideration without discrimination because of race, color, creed, sex, age, national origin, handicap, or veteran status. Candidates for employment will be subject to testing to determine the presence of illegal controlled substance(s) in their system