Buyer-M427K02

Matthews International; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Matthews International in Pittsburgh, PA, is seeking a strategic Buyer to lead item selection, pricing, and promotions across major accounts. You will analyze sales, manage category assortments, forecast inventory, and attend industry shows to source new items.

The role requires cross-functional collaboration, strong analytics, and disciplined budgeting. The candidate should have a Bachelor’s degree in business or related field and 2+ years purchasing experience, with travel as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business or related field.
• 2+ years of purchasing experience or equivalent.
• Travel to local/national/international sites may be required.
• Proficient in MS Office Suite, Outlook and Internet applications.
• Strong analytical, prioritizing, interpersonal, problem-solving, presentation, budgeting, project management and planning skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, including analysis and reasoning.
• Ability to collaborate across teams and work autonomously.

Responsibilities

• Item sales analysis to recommend promotions, new item introductions and pricing.
• Maintain category assortments by account.
• Generate new item inventory needs and sales forecasts.
• Attend industry trade shows to evaluate trends and source new items.
• Evaluate items and programs for quality, viability, sales history and profitability.
• Develop pricing strategies to maximize profitability.
• Coordinate with product development on new item opportunities.
• Collaborate with buying and sales on promotional opportunities.
• Create budgets and projections.
• Negotiate pricing and finalize production samples with suppliers.
• Cross-merchandising to fulfill category needs.

Skills

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Problem-solving

Presentation skills

Budgeting

Project management

Planning

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Business or related field

Tools

MS Office

Job description

The Buyer is responsible for managing companywide strategies and tactics on new and discontinued items, category management and customer-specific sales initiatives. The Buyer is responsible for developing strategies and solutions to exceed company targets for sales and gross profit margin.

• Item sales analysis with purpose of making recommendations for promotions, new item introductions, and pricing.
• Analysis and maintenance of category assortments by account.
• Generates new item inventory needs and sales forecasts.
• Attends relevant industry trade shows and conferences to evaluate industry trends, identify and source new items.
• Evaluates items and programs based on quality, viability, sales history and profitability.
• Understands cross-merchandising mechanics and works collaboratively to fulfill category needs.
• Creates budgets and projections.
• Negotiates pricing, makes packaging/product recommendations and finalizes production samples with existing and new suppliers.
• Analyzes and develops pricing strategy to maximize profitability and sales.
• Coordinates with product development team on new item opportunities.
• Collaborates with buying and sales teams on promotional opportunities.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business or related field
• 2+ years of previous purchasing experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Periodic travel either locally, nationally, and/or internationally may be required.
• High degree of proficiency MS Office Suite, Outlook & Internet applications.
• Strong analytical, prioritizing, interpersonal, problem-solving, presentation, budgeting, project management (from conception to completion), & planning skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills (including analysis, interpretation, & reasoning).
• Solid understanding and application of mathematical concepts.
• Ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships with peers and colleagues across the organization, as well as, internal and external clients.
• Ability to work well autonomously and within a team in a fast-paced and deadline-oriented environment.
• Ability to work with and influence peers and senior management.
• Self-motivated with critical attention to detail, deadlines and reporting.
• Ability to work overtime as necessary.

PHYSICAL ASPECTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Regularly required to stand; walk; sit; and talk, hear and see.
• Regularly/Occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

* Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.