Purchasing Specialist

The Purchasing Specialist manages his/ her inventory and category, working closely with suppliers, customers, customer- and retail- specialists, logistics and shipping companies, accounting, and marketing. S/he uses data to make decisions, ensuring that we are optimally priced and supplied.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES/ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Inventory and Category Management:

  • Supply: Ensures ample supply of inventory, closely monitoring the stock levels of goods to avoid stock outs or oversupply.
  • Pricing: Ensures that we are competitively priced where necessary, while maintaining profitability. Maintains the internal pricing and vendor pricing worksheet.

• Data-driven decision making:

  • Makes decisions based on data, using tools such as Excel/ Google Sheets, Acumatica, and other analytical tools as necessary.

• With Customers and Customer Specialists:

  • Works closely with Customer Specialists to understand the customer needs–both immediate and long-term, and finds a way to obtain the required products and services. Proactively finds new merchandise that customers may want, contributing to the growth of product availability while maintaining or growing profitability.
  • Well-versed in his/ her category, understanding customer needs and preferences

• With Suppliers:

  • Finds, establishes, and maintains strong relationships with suppliers, finding reliable suppliers that can provide the best price. Proactive establishes relationships before the need arises, including establishing credit lines.
  • Creates P.O.s to order goods.

• With Logistics and Shipping:

  • Finds, establishes, and maintains strong relationships with logistics and shipping companies, to ensure that goods can be delivered as needed.

• With Accounting:

  • Where necessary, works to ensure that suppliers are paid promptly to ensure consistent supply of goods and services.

• With Marketing:

  • Works with marketing for pricing and other promotional activities, helping define price and anticipating supply needs.