Purchasing Specialist Jobs in Alabama

Purchasing Agent

Date: May 19, 2026

Location: Decatur, AL - Alabama, US, 35601-2678

Company: Bunge

City: Decatur
State: Alabama (US-AL)
Country: United States (US)
Requisition Number: 45562

A Day in the Life:

The Purchasing Agent will act as the single point of contact towards the internal customer for procurement related questions; manage local purchasing requests for indirect (non-bill of material) products and services in collaboration with the sourcing and category management organization and guarantee efficient contact implementation/acceptance on site.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Manage local purchase requisitions for indirect (non-bill of material) products and services according to defined strategies and frameworks
• Verify purchase request quality and correct buying channel, align with end users on missing specifications
• Execute local purchase requisitions
• Identify and advise customer on possible modification from original requests (e.g. more cost effective alternatives exists)
• Screen potential suppliers through basic Request For Information/Proposal process
• Select a supplier according to the defined strategy in the category
• Process requisition via purchase order or purchasing card
• Follow-up on purchase orders
• Be aware of purchase request processing guidelines for all categories to allow for flexible work allocation
• Collaborate with local planning function(s) on production schedules and MRP min/max levels
• Ensure local purchase requisition approvals are defined and followed
• Manage the Procurement function at multiple sites
• Be an expert in understanding local catalog content relevant for a particular site and ensure familiarity with relevant category instructions detailing buying procedure, preferred suppliers, etc. for the site (close collaboration with Sourcing Managers and Content Maintainers who will provide these guidelines)
• Ensure the use of the procurement procedures by internal customers at the site
• If necessary, inform internal customers about required changes and/or preferred alternative buying channels
• Guarantee efficient use of the purchasing systems by all users providing them assistance when necessary
• Act as a coordinator between the local stakeholders and the procurement organization
• Identify, track, and report locally generated savings
• Manage and coordinate with local and regional external suppliers
• Source and negotiate pricing for all maintenance supplies and services not covered by strategic sourcing agreements
• Ensure all purchased materials and services are delivered on time to support a 24/7 plant operation
• Coordinate contract implementation tasks with purchasing managers and stakeholders
• Coordinate and participate in the execution of the implementation plan
• Promote the use of global/regional contracts
• Ensure purchases comply with defined preferred supplier program and are in line with defined channel strategy
• Support strategic sourcing initiatives
• Upon request by the Center of Expertise or Sourcing Manager during the sourcing process:
• Provide input on local spend situation and category practices
• Provide insights on local supplier market
• Engage local stakeholders to identify any local requirements (legal, QA/regulatory, customer, specifications, etc.)
• Support local supplier qualification assessment
• Support contract implementation plan development
• Support ongoing spot buy reduction initiatives locally
• Ensure purchasing involvement in 85+% of all local non-commodity, non-logistic spend
• Monitor recurring spot buys to reduce the total amount of spot buys
• Highlight potential for catalogue and contract creation based on recurrent free text requests
• Perform additional job responsibilities as directed by Purchasing Manager

Skill/Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree preferred, in relevant discipline; high school diploma required
• Minimum of two years relevant purchasing experience required
• Strong analytical thinking (understand complex subjects, decompose into comparable components, structured evaluation and documentation)
• Thorough understanding of defined procurement P2P processes
• Local supplier market awareness (for assigned commodities) and product/service portfolio insights
• Basic sourcing (methodology) understanding including total Cost Ownership, Risk Management and Savings/Benefit monitoring
• Familiar with the letter and spirit of the laws applicable to purchasing and supply management
• Proficiency in SAP considered an asset
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Good computer skills, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SAP
• Proven ability to work with minimal supervision

At Bunge (NYSE: BG), our purpose is to connect farmers to consumers to deliver essential food, feed and fuel to the world. As a premier agribusiness solutions provider, our team of ~34,000 dedicated employees partner with farmers across the globe to move agricultural commodities from where they’re grown to where they’re needed—in faster, smarter, and more efficient ways. We are a world leader in grain origination, storage, distribution, oilseed processing and refining, offering a broad portfolio of plant-based oils, fats, and proteins. We work alongside our customers at both ends of the value chain to deliver quality products and develop tailored, innovative solutions that address evolving consumer needs. With 200+ years of experience and presence in over 50 countries, we are committed to strengthening global food security, advancing sustainability, and helping communities prosper where we operate. Bunge has its registered office in Geneva, Switzerland and its corporate headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri.

Every day our people exemplify these values, which represent Bunge at its core:

• We Are One Team – Collaborative, Respectful, Inclusive
• We Lead The Way – Agile, Empowered, Innovative
• We Do What’s Right – Safety, Sustainability, With Integrity

If this sounds like you, join us! We value and invest in people who believe in our purpose and are excited to live it every day – people who are #ProudtoBeBunge

Job Segment: Strategic Sourcing, Agricultural, Buyer, Purchasing, Procurement, Operations, Agriculture, Finance