Purchasing Specialist I

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 experience; chemical-industry or catalog-distribution experience preferred.
• Working knowledge of purchase order workflows, RFQs, inventory planning concepts, supplier management, and total landed cost calculations.
• Familiarity with chemical identifiers and core technical documentation, including CAS numbers, specifications, SDS, TDS, and Certificates of Analysis (CoA).
• Proficiency with ERP systems and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook).

Critical Competencies

• Sound commercial judgment and effective negotiation capabilities.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and technical problem-solving skills.
• Ability to interpret complex chemical specifications, technical vendor documents, and inventory datasets.
• Precise written and verbal communication skills across internal departments and external suppliers.
• High attention to detail, rigorous data accuracy, and reliable follow-through.

Preferred Qualifications

• Academic coursework in chemistry or practical exposure to specialty chemicals is strongly preferred.
• Prior work experience coordinating domestic and international freight, hazardous material compliance, or import shipments preferred.

Physical & Operational Requirements

• Frequently required to sit, stand, walk, operate a computer and telephone, reach with hands and arms, and communicate verbally and in writing.
• Occasional movement through warehouse or laboratory areas is required, with the ability to lift or move packages or materials weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision for reviewing detailed technical product, chemical, and purchasing data.
• Ability to work scheduled shifts with flexibility to adjust work hours, as necessary, to meet the needs and demands of the plant and employees.
• Must be authorized to work full-time in the USA.
• Must complete a background check in compliance with pre-employment policies.
• Must complete a pre-employment drug screen test in compliance with pre-employment policies.

Safety-Sensitive Designation

Notice: This role is explicitly designated as a Safety-Sensitive Position. Due to the operational environment and the core duties of this role-which require undivided attention, high concentration, and presence near chemical storage, laboratory, and manufacturing areas-any lapse in safety or cognitive impairment poses a direct, immediate threat to the health and safety of the employee, co-workers, and the facility. Compliance with all safety protocols, continuous fit-for-duty standards, and company drug-free workplace policies is an essential function of this job.

Benefits

Ascensus Specialties offers a competitive compensation and total rewards package. In compliance with Massachusetts state pay transparency requirements, the compensation model for this position is structured as follows:

Compensation:

• Targeted Hire at $58,500 annualized (Full Position Range: $48,500 - $68,500 annualized). Actual starting base salary is determined by the candidate's education, depth of experience, and relevant technical expertise.
• Classification: Full-Time, Non-Exempt. As a non-exempt role, this position is eligible for overtime compensation in accordance with state and federal regulations.
• Annual Bonus Incentive: Eligible to participate in the Ascensus Bonus Plan (ABP) at a target of 10% of base annual wage. The ABP is a unified annual cash incentive program designed to reward employees for measurable contributions to company performance. Eligibility and payouts are determined based on overall corporate financial results, as well as site-specific performance pertaining to Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS), Quality, and Production metrics. For new hires, annual bonus potential is prorated based on the active hire date.

Comprehensive Benefits Package: Health and wellness benefits begin on Day 1 of employment.

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans; Life and AD&D insurance; and Short-term/Long-term Disability coverage.
• Retirement (401k): 100% company match on the first 3% of eligible pay contributed, plus a 70% match on the next 3% of eligible pay contributed (for a total potential company match of up to 5.1%).
• Paid Time Off: All accrued and frontloaded time off benefits become available for use after 90 days of employment. Time off allotments for the first calendar year are prorated based on the hire date.
• Vacation & Floating Holidays: Frontloaded on January 1 annually based on standard professional tenure brackets.
• Sick Leave & Statutory Leave: Accrued in compliance with Massachusetts Earned Sick Time regulations. Massachusetts employees are also eligible for statutory Paid Family and Medical Leave (MA PFML) benefits in accordance with state regulations.
• Company Holidays: 9 paid company holidays (paid at 8 hours each) + 24 hours of floating holidays per calendar year.
• Additional Perks: Employee Assistance Program (EAP) available immediately upon hire to support overall well-being.