Purchasing in Billings, Montana at Automotive and Industrial Distributors of Billin

Purchasing Agent

Job Type: Full-time

Location: Billings, MT

Who We Are:

A&I Distributors is a rapidly growing, family and employee-owned, well established wholesale oil distributor, with nearly one hundred years of history and partnerships with some of the largest oil companies in the world. These partnerships, along with unmatched service to our customers, have enabled the company to grow to one of the premier oil distributors in the nation; a long way from our humble beginnings in 1924.

Hours: 40 hours per week M-F 8 am to 5 pm

Location: On Site

Compensation: $21 per hour

Benefit Package:

• PTO
• Holiday Pay
• Health & Dental
• 401k
• Profit Sharing/ESOP
• Life and Disability Insurance
• Employee Discount

Key Responsibilities

• Purchase and maintain inventory levels for:
• Motor oils
• Gear lubricants
• Greases
• Antifreeze and coolants
• Service chemicals
• Automotive, heavy-duty, and industrial filters
• Lubrication equipment and related accessories
• Analyze inventory levels, sales history, and usage trends to forecast purchasing requirements.
• Generate and manage purchase orders to ensure timely replenishment of inventory.
• Monitor inventory turnover and recommend strategies to optimize stock levels while minimizing carrying costs.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with suppliers and vendors.
• Obtain pricing, negotiate purchases, and evaluate vendor performance.
• Coordinate inbound freight, including scheduling pickups, tracking shipments, and confirming delivery dates.
• Maintain accurate inventory and purchasing records within company databases and systems.
• Create, update, and maintain inventory reports, spreadsheets, and order schedules.
• Investigate and resolve inventory discrepancies, backorders, shipping issues, and vendor-related concerns.
• Collaborate with sales, warehouse, and management teams to ensure product availability and customer satisfaction.
• Identify slow-moving, obsolete, or excess inventory and recommend corrective actions.
• Maintain product data, vendor contact information, and purchasing documentation.
• Continuously learn and apply industry-specific knowledge related to lubricants, filtration products, and industrial supplies.

Qualifications & Skills

• Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Minimum of 3 years of purchasing, inventory management, or procurement experience preferred.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Experience with inventory forecasting using historical sales and usage trends.
• Knowledge of logistics planning, freight scheduling, and vendor coordination.
• Ability to create, maintain, and modify purchasing and inventory schedules.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to learn new software, databases, products, and processes quickly.
• Proven ability to work independently and take ownership of responsibilities.
• Commitment to providing excellent customer service to internal and external stakeholders.
• Positive attitude and willingness to learn industry-specific products and terminology.