Flexible Work Policy: The Area Buyer position has been segmented as Hybrid, meaning the work is a combination of onsite (2 days per month) and virtual. This position is based out of our location in Fife, WA.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Daily replenishment duties and KPI monitoring:
Drive the core Replenishment buying work and ensure key functions are being fulfilled.
- KPI Reporting: Delivers on KPI's for desk specific goals such as: Service Level, Days-Inventory-On-Hand (DIOH), Excess and Obsolete inventory (E&O) and Spoilage.
- PO preparation: Analyzes economic order quantities, forecasts, lead times, vendor set-up, safety stock, etc., and uses discretion and independent judgment to create efficient purchase orders with our suppliers.
- PO Buying: Executes forward-buy opportunities to achieve profitability for period or year-end based on targeted goals. Controls decision rights on PO execution, timing and to ensure KPI's are balanced with needs of the business.
- Inventory Monitoring: Proactively reviews projected out of stock report daily and makes purchasing decisions, including how and where to find substitute products where appropriate, to ensure we deliver on customer order fulfillment.
- Inventory Reporting: Routinely monitor (and escalate with suggested actions as needed) crucial inventory health reports such as stock outs, waitlist, and subgroup exception reports
- PO monitoring & recovery: Establish sharp communication with internal partners on supplier production delays or order shortages, while pursuing recovery options with urgency.
Cross-functional coordination and company performance optimization:
Coordinate cross functionally to manage and improve key drivers of company performance
- Inventory Optimization: Collaborates with internal and external business partners to reduce overstock, slow-moving and obsolete inventory, as well as initiate product returns where applicable.
- Spoilage Minimization: Utilizes understanding of product shelf life and manufacturing dates in the prevention of spoilage for specific buying categories.
- Seasonal Adjustments: Communicates closely with our cross-functional partners to capture seasonal trends and events in the business as well as drive profitability with accurate costs.
- Category Management Coordination: Partners appropriately with product/category management team to maintain supplier relationships and proper accountability.
- Logistics Coordination: Cooperates with the Logistics and Replenishment Excellence teams to identify and achieve freight consolidation in order to maximize net income and best cost of goods.
- Warehouse Operations Coordination: Evaluates inbound volume and purchase history to collaborate with warehouse operations on efficient receiving practices.
Team cooperation & continuous improvement:
Participate on a team of 3-10 talented Buyers and help drive continuous improvement within the team. Specifically providing:
- Continuous improvement: Share your current challenges, operational learnings, and opportunities with the Area Replenishment staff to make recommendations for how to improve standard processes
- Clear communication channels: Ensure smooth coordination and information flow between Replenishment Operations, cross-functional partners, and Area Buying operations
- Culture building: Contribute to a strong culture of customer service orientation, collaboration, performance, and continuous improvement within the team
SUPERVISION:
Directly reports to a Director, Area Replenishment (or in some instances: Manager, Replenishment)
RELATIONSHIPS
This role sits within the Replenishment function, and it is part of a dedicated Area Replenishment Buying team which must coordinate with other Replenishment functions and cross-functional personnel
- Replenishment Operations: The role will communicate with Replenishment Leads/Assistants to confirm POs are delivered successfully and remedy situations in which issues arise
- Replenishment Excellence: The role will be supported by a talented team of inventory optimization and demand forecasting personnel. Buyers will coordinate with these teams to optimize PO buying decisions and truck builds
- Additional functions to work closely with:
- Logistics: OTD issues, truck building, order shortages/delays
- Warehouse Operations: Receiving schedules & practices
- Category Management: Commodity buying guidance, supplier & sourcing decisions
- Sales: Customer service support
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- 1+ years of direct inventory management/supply chain experience required.
- Possess superior oral and written communication along with strong analytical skills.
- Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with suppliers, sales, field partners and other business contacts via telephone, email, and video conferencing.
- Must have a general understanding of logistics and connection in support of an efficient distribution model.
- Must be able to deal with high pressure situations to meet daily/weekly timelines with a high sense of urgency.
- Ability to function in Microsoft Excel
- Ability to quickly learn new technologies, with SCPO experience heavily preferred.
EDUCATION
- Four-year degree is highly preferred. Equivalent work experience and applicable certifications may be considered as well (Military Service, APICS, CPM, etc.).
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Minimum 3 years purchasing experience preferred, with food service experience a plus.
Universal pay verbiage:
Compensation depends on relevant experience and/or education, specific skills, function, geographic location, and other factors as applicable by law. The expected base salary for this role is between $50,000 and $80,000. This role will also receive annual incentive plan bonus. Benefits for this role may include health insurance, pre-tax spending accounts, retirement benefits, paid time off, short-term and long-term disability, employee stock purchase plan, and life insurance. To review available benefits, please click here:
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