Buyer I

Vallen Distribution; Pooler (GA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

401(k) with company match (U.S.)

Paid time off and holidays

Employee discounts

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Vallen Distribution is seeking an On-site Buyer to support customer locations by sourcing products and materials, ensuring price, quality, and timely delivery meet our high standards.

You will manage forecasts, place orders, and coordinate with vendors to optimize supply while maintaining excellent customer service and lean operations. The role emphasizes strong communication, attention to detail, and independent work capability.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Bachelor's degree in a related field preferred.
• 1+ years of experience in procurement or similar role preferred.
• CPM certification preferred.
• Other relevant experience includes: excellent customer service, proficiency with ERP and inventory management applications, mathematical aptitude, and strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Procure products and materials to meet customer demand and align with purchasing strategies.
• Review and approve inventory forecasts and replenishment recommendations.
• Expedite or de-expedite orders to optimize delivery.
• Place purchase requisitions and vendor purchase orders.
• Research and assess vendors to meet quality, pricing, and delivery standards.
• Monitor supplier performance and coordinate returns or replacements as needed.
• Communicate order status with customers and resolve issues with timeliness and quality.
• Maintain relationships with suppliers and customers and document cost savings opportunities.
• Follow LEAN practices and maintain a professional worksite.

Skills

Customer service

MS Office

Attention to detail

Self-starter

Verbal and written communication

Mathematical aptitude

Independent work

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Bachelor's degree in Business/Finance or related field

CPM certification

Tools

ERP systems

Inventory Management applications

MS-Office

Job description

Why Join Our Team?

At Vallen, we embrace what makes us unique. We thrive on the diversity of our associates and the different ways each of us contributes to Vallen's success. We pride ourselves on being an inclusive company that values the growth of our associates. When you join Vallen, you become part of our winning team. Our vast network of connections is here to help you transform your job into a career. Vallen is an industry leader in delivering flexible supply chain solutions while creating value for our customers, our supply partners, and our associates.

Benefits at Vallen

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance for Single, Employee + Spouse or Children, and Family Coverage
• 401(k) with discretionary company match of $0.50 on the $1.00 up to 6% of pay (U.S. positions only)
• Employer-paid Basic Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Dependents
• Employer-paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Benefits and Parental Leave (and any leave required under federal, state, and local laws)
• Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid Time Off (Vacation and Sick Days): 80-160 hours of vacation time based on seniority, accrued monthly and prorated from date of hire. 40-56 hours of sick time per year based on seniority and advanced upon hire.
• Paid Time Off (Holidays): 8 scheduled holidays plus 2 floating holidays
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Resource Groups for networking and team building
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Employee Referral Program
• Safety shoe and safety glasses reimbursement (based on position)
• Employee discounts through BenefitHub
• Advancement opportunities
• Vallen complies with all minimum wage laws
• We accept applications on an ongoing basis

Position Summary:

Join our exciting & dedicated team at Vallen as an On-site Buyer. In this position, you will work at a customer location and will be responsible for providing exceptional service by purchasing products, goods, and materials (stock and/or non-stock, or stock buy) that meet the organization's standards of price, quality, timing, and reliability of supply.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Perform procurement activities to ensure the customer's current and anticipated demand for products and materials (stock and/or non-stock, or spot buy) are met and in alignment with Vallen's purchasing strategies.
  • Review and approve assigned inventory forecasts produced by Vallen's inventory management or other Enterprise Resource Planning application.
  • Review and approve daily replenishment recommendations produced by Vallen's inventory management or other Enterprise Resource Planning application.
  • Assess existing orders to determine action for expediting or de-expediting for optimal delivery.
  • Place purchase requisitions and vendor purchase orders.
• Research, assess, and make recommendations for vendors and/or specific items of request to ensure they that they comply with specifications and meet the customer's quality, pricing, and delivery standards.
• Monitor the quality and timeliness of products and materials supplied; may coordinate the return of damaged goods and/or replacement items.
• Negotiate and coordinate vendor returns for aging, expired, or excess inventory; coordinate other liquidation activities as required.
• Follow-up on the status of purchase orders with vendors to ensure timely delivery; and communicate status of orders with customers.
• Communicate with vendors to resolve problems with timeliness and product quality.
• Maintain and cultivate relationships with one or more suppliers, vendors, and assigned customers.
• Research and resolve account payables nonconformance with suppliers.
• Identify opportunities for and document customer cost savings.
• Produce customer KPI measurement data.
• Follow all Vallen and customer Standard Operating Procedures.
• Adhere to LEAN operating practices; ensure worksite is professional, clean and neat always.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Job Qualifications:

High school diploma or equivalent. Bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g., Business, Finance, etc.) preferred. 1+ years of experience in the field of Procurement preferred. CPM certification preferred. Other relevant experience includes:

• Excellent customer service.
• Computer skills and aptitude to learn the various Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Inventory Management applications.
• Mathematical aptitude for basic calculations.
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Demonstrated strong attention to detail, organizational and execution skills.
• Proficiency with MS-Office products.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Work Environment & Physical Demands:

Reasonable accommodations will be evaluated and may be implemented to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions of this position.

• Long periods of time working on a computer and performing repetitive key-boarding activities.
• Work may be in a manufacturing environment and could have exposure to dirt, smoke, heat, cold, etc.
• Safety protection may be required while in the customer's facility (hand, foot, and eye or other as dictated by the customer's safety protocols).
• Overtime hours may be required with little advanced notice.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee may be required to occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, ability to adjust focus, and may require the ability to distinguish color.

Equal Opportunity Employer - Ethnically and Culturally Diverse/Females/Veterans/Disabled/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity