Assistant Buyer: Inventory & Vendor Strategist

Walman; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 34,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care

Retirement savings

Paid time off

Employee discounts

Bonus/commission plan

Job summary

Walman Optical, a division of EssilorLuxottica, seeks an Assistant Buyer in Minneapolis, MN. This full-time role supports operations by coordinating purchasing, processing orders, and maintaining inventory and vendor data for timely fulfillment.

You will work with internal teams and vendors to optimize lead times, negotiate rates, and improve reordering. The role requires 2–3 years of purchasing experience, a high school diploma, strong communication, and the ability to lift up to 40 pounds.

Qualifications

• 2-3 years of purchasing experience or related field.
• High school diploma, GED or equivalent work experience.
• Knowledge of purchasing and inventory best practices.
• Knowledge and experience with improving processes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
• Ability to manage priorities, workflow, and implementing actions.
• Proficient with MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Systems literate – Microsoft Dynamics, SAP is preferred.
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and process all purchasing activities in support of operations, including but not limited to vendor management, inventory stockouts, development of usage tools, invoicing, returns, and audits.
• Process purchase orders per inventory needs, timely fulfillment, and purchasing schedule.
• Track and address any back-order issues, and all other manual reporting; audit as necessary.
• Establish and maintain professional communication with internal/external customers, and vendors.
• Manage vendors by establishing new relationships, negotiating rates, and identifying alternative vendor support options.
• Update and maintain accurate records in Solomon, including but not limited to: mandatory maintenance of recent vendor costs, vendor source, lead times, and vendor codes are required.
• Collaboratively work with inter-departments and vendors to determine lead times, or any other measures that may impact purchases.
• Notify leadership team on escalated issues such as inventory coverage changes, vendor cost increases, or purchase order dates that may negatively impact the customer(s).
• Trace inbound/outbound shipments and on-time deliveries; follow up with vendors on past-due shipments.
• Participate in continuous improvement activity; including the development of new tools for usage review, and proposals for maximizing efficiency in reordering points and quantities.
• Route debit memos and product returns to correct department(s) and/or vendors.
• Performance of other duties as assigned by manager.

Skills

Purchasing experience

MS Office proficiency

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Ability to lift 40 pounds

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Microsoft Dynamics

SAP

Job description

Walman Optical, a division of EssilorLuxottica, seeks an Assistant Buyer in Minneapolis, MN. This full-time role supports operations by coordinating purchasing, processing orders, and maintaining inventory and vendor data for timely fulfillment.

You will work with internal teams and vendors to optimize lead times, negotiate rates, and improve reordering. The role requires 2–3 years of purchasing experience, a high school diploma, strong communication, and the ability to lift up to 40 pounds.