Senior Purchasing Associate

At BBH, Partnership is more than a form of ownership—it’s our approach to business and relationships.  We know that supporting your professional and personal goals is the best way to help our clients and advance our business. We take that responsibility seriously. With a 200-year legacy and a shared passion for what’s next, this is the right place to build a fulfilling career.

At Brown Brothers Harriman, we believe no job is too big or small for any of us to handle if it helps our clients. We value passionate, committed people who enjoy collaborating with others to find new solutions to complex business challenges. We are looking for the type of person who speaks their mind, truly listens and steps outside their role to add value wherever they can. Someone who is driven to get things done and views obstacles as an exciting challenge that demands a creative solution. Above all, we seek someone who takes great pride in their work and is inspired and motivated by their role in protecting and enhancing our client’s financial well-being.

If you are looking for an entrepreneurial environment where you can learn and thrive, Brown Brothers Harriman is the right place for you.

Join us as a Senior Purchasing Agent

In this role you will manage a small team of purchasing agents to procure goods and services necessary for our day-to-day business activities – goods and services include but are not limited to printed materials, promotional items, Facilities related products and services, furniture, office supplies, specialty items. You will be expected to increase the team’s productivity, enhance controls and procedures, focus on cost reducing strategies, and deliver quality client services to the global firm. 

The Senior Purchasing Agent will be responsible for day-to-day operations of the Purchasing team, overseeing all the bidding and negotiating tasks that the team performs, managing the Firm’s spend in the areas that Enterprise Services is responsible, reporting to the Purchasing Manager on a periodic basis.  The Senior Purchasing Agent will also be expected to manage and maintain good client relationships with all the BBH departments and work to resolve operational challenges. 

Key responsibilities

1. Purchasing Policies and Procedures   

• Knowledge of market research, data analysis and purchasing best practices
• Understand the industries from which we procure products and services, including but not limited to who the major suppliers are, the economic status of those suppliers and the industry, and current and expected developments within the industry.
• Understand and accept business purchasing methods and know the purchasing policies and procedures of this organization.

2.  Oversee bidding and negotiating tasks            

• Demonstrable experience in negotiating prices and terms and conditions
• Resolve discrepancies or negotiate settlements to the best possible long-term advantage of BBH.

3. Supplier Relationships            

• Manage relationships with key suppliers to maintain quality of goods, timely delivery and compliance to terms of contracts.
• Regularly review suppliers to ensure quality.

4. Oversee Orders         

• Review acknowledgements for agreement with purchase orders and resolve any discrepancies with the supplier to the best possible advantage for BBH.
• Follows-up or expedite orders as necessary to meet schedules.
• Verify receipt of items by comparing items received to items ordered; resolve shipments in error with suppliers.
• Authorize payment for purchases by forwarding receiving documentation.
• Monitor inventory stock levels, making sure to re-order before supplies are depleted.

  5. Manage Team            

• Manage a small team of purchasing agents on a day-to-day activities.

Education level and/or relevant experience(s)

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience.
• 5+ years of relevant experience.

Knowledge and skills (general and technical)

• Ability to interpret regulations and laws and disseminate information.
• In depth experience with reviewing and drafting compliance policies.
• Strong relationship management and influencing skills.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Experience with Corporate Governance.
• Working knowledge of the interpretation and practical application of trust and estate document provisions, trust and estate law, investments, and the legal framework of trust administration.
• Experience with Microsoft Office products, particularly Excel and Word.

What We Offer:

• A collaborative environment that enables