Junior Buyer

Founded in 1902, Wasserstrom is a national leader in the manufacturing and distribution of foodservice equipment and supplies. From design through installation, we operate as a global supplier, custom manufacturer, and consolidator of fixtures, furniture, and equipment, delivering flexible solutions to the places where people eat, sleep, work, play, shop, and gather.

Our success is driven not just by our national presence, buying power, regional consolidation, logistics operations, creative expertise, and innovative engineering, but by our people. Guided by our core values of Attitude, Effort, Trust, Innovation, and Family, we bring a positive, can-do mindset rooted in teamwork, accountability, and respect for diverse perspectives. We give our best every day by being responsive, resourceful, and resilient, standing by our word and taking ownership of our work. We embrace continuous improvement, encourage new ideas, and learn from mistakes as we push into new territory.

Job Summary:

This position is responsible for issuing purchase orders for buy-out items and managing delivery statuses. Buyers analyze the requirements of an order, including preliminary specifications, preferred vendors, the date the order is needed, and adjust product demand as needed. Buyers must have strong communication skills to provide order changes to vendors, as well as communicate delivery statuses to cross-functional departments. Buyers may perform other tasks as needed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Issue purchase orders and verify quantities based on system demand; ensure cost-effective and timely procurement of buy-out equipment
• Maintain purchase order pricing and amendments, such as quantity changes, cancellations, additions, item descriptions, and product steals
• Communicate with vendors and cross-functional departments; mediate conversations between vendors and internal teams as needed
• Research accounts payable invoicing issues and warehouse receiving issues and/or damages; escalate to management as needed
• Assign planner, product, and ABC codes for buy-out items in each site
• Manage shipment methods; evaluate free-freight thresholds and adjustments
• Perform other tasks to support buy-out purchasing as needed

Minimum Experience and Education:

• 2 Year / Associate Degree
• 1 - 2 years related experience and/or training

Position Requirements:

• Proficient computer skills; ability to use MS Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Knowledge of inventory management and order entry systems, such as SyteLine
• Basic mathematical skills
• Communicates well with others; speaks and writes clearly; asks for and offers help when needed
• Interpersonal; resolves questions and concerns in a professional manner; maintains confidentiality
• Detail oriented; meets quality standards and demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness
• Organized; completes work in a timely manner; able to prioritize and meet deadlines
• Problem-solver; gathers and analyzes information skillfully and generates suggestions for improving work
• Capable of working independently and as a member of a team; contributes to building a positive team spirit

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• Office Environment – quiet noise level but may be moderate at times; work may sometimes take place in non-standard workplaces (i.e., manufacturing environment).
• Manufacturing environment may cause exposure to heat, noise, vibration, odors, or dust.
• Sedentary Work – exerting up to 10 lbs. of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.
• Required to sit, stand, walk, see close and at distance, and talk and hear.