Purchasing Clerk jobs in Olympia, WA

Description

The Purchasing Coordinator position is responsible for purchasing and maintaining the inventory of materials, supplies, exhibit props and equipment and following through with vendors on shipment and delivery.

Duties & Responsibilities: 

Purchasing and inventorying comprise approximately 80% of this position’s time.  The coordinator will track office, janitorial, printer ink/toner, staff room, and emergency supplies, purchase replacement props and supplies as needed, distribute purchases appropriately, and submit receipts to the Business Department.  Weekly shopping will include placing online orders as well as driving to retail or other vendors to purchase items. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Perform creative research to identify engaging props to refresh and enhance the exhibit experience for visitors.
• Research, compare quality and cost for procurement of new and replacement props.
• Inventory museum supplies weekly.
• Purchase supplies required and/or requested and approved by museum staff/departments.
• Conduct regular price comparisons, research best sources for purchases, both locally and online to find the best product for the best price with the least amount of shipping.
• Maintain effective communication with vendors and museum departments for all pending shopping items such as delivery status, resolving issues, department concerns, and processing returns.
• Compare product deliveries with orders and contact vendors when there are discrepancies.
• Distribute purchases to appropriate people/locations.
• Work with Café Staff to complete weekly orders.
• Be on-site and provide support for Museum special events.
• Organize and itemize receipts and submit for approval and processing.
• Update par levels periodically (based on consumption trends)
• Take lost and found items to Goodwill.
• Package and mail items left behind to visitors.
• Errand requests for Museum departments.
• Maintain Purchasing Procedure Manual.
• Use efficient routes when shopping to save on fuel expenses.

Other responsibilities comprise approximately 20% of this position’s time.  Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Maintains off-site inventory of archived records.
• Completes monthly copier counts.
• Weekly parking machine collection & deposits.
• Monthly money funnel collection and deposits.
• Quarterly – assists with Museum Gift Shop inventory.
• Weekly filing of invoices and reimbursement records.
• Annually updates Museum FF&E inventory.
• Attend quarterly All Staff meetings.
• Assisting in other departments and with Museum events as needed.
• Distributes Museum newsletters, field trip guides, and event posters to businesses & schools.

Requirements

Physical Working Conditions

Must have and maintain a good driving record, use personal vehicle or Museum vehicle, ability to lift 30 lbs., stand on feet for long periods, and have good stamina.

Education & Experience

• BA preferred; relevant work experience may substitute.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Washington State Driver’s license and good driving record, provide proof of insurance, and have own vehicle.
• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Ability to research and make informed decisions about purchases.
• Proficient with computers and Microsoft Office, especially MS Excel.
• Must be able to pass background check.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, and math competency
• Ability to prioritize tasks with potentially competing deadlines, events, and departments.
• High level of organization skills, enthusiasm and flexibility.
• Proactive, positive problem-solving skills.

Workplace Values

Achieving our mission requires great people who actively demonstrate our core values.

To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, and 3 professional references.

Compensation & Benefits: As a leading non-profit, we offer competitive compensation, medical, dental and vision coverage, an Employee Assistance Plan, paid time off, paid holidays, a 401(k)-retirement plan, and special perks including museum passes and membership, discounts on preschool, camps, in the Museum Store and Café, and paid parking. Benefits vary by number of regularly scheduled hours worked, length of employment, and employment status. See benefit details for this position here. $21 - $23/hour DOQ

About Hands On:

Located on Olympia’s East Bay waterfront, the Hands On Children’s Museum is the leading play-based, early learning institution in Southwest Washington and the most visited children’s museum in the Pacific Northwest hosting 300,000 annually. Our mission is to stimulate curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking skills through rich, interactive learning experiences. We believe that all children deserve respect and the opportunity to learn regardless of their ability to pay, which is why the Museum works hard to serve more than one-third of its visitation through a robust suite of Access programs.

Voted a “Best Place for Kids” for more than a decade, the Museum offers a state-of-the-art LEED Gold facility with 150 indoor exhibits, a half-acre Outdoor Discovery Center and nature play space, Arts Studio, MakeSpace for tinkering and inventing, café and gift shop. Our award-winning education programs include camps, workshops, preschool, parenting classes, field trips, community outreach and family support programs.

Hands On Children’s Museum exhibits, education programs, and employment are available to all without discrimination.