Product Buyer, Associate - Event Gifting

ITA Group; Des Moines, West Des Moines (IA, IA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

ITA Group in Des Moines, IA is seeking an Associate Product Buyer – Event Gifting to support planning and execution of Event Gifting programs for internal and external clients. This role supports a team handling over 150 gifting opportunities annually.

The Associate Buyer will manage proposals, invoices, supplier data, and cross-functional collaboration with marketing and events, delivering accurate, compelling proposals and ensuring smooth event execution.

Qualifications

• Experience in purchasing, order management and accounting reconciliation.
• Experience in a cross-functional, corporate environment.
• Excellent Microsoft Office skills; proficient in Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and Excel.

Responsibilities

• Support planning and execution of Event Gifting programs.
• Manage incoming requests for proposals and communications.
• Track and reconcile supplier invoices and costs.
• Maintain supplier database with contact info and negotiated discounts.
• Create proposals in PowerPoint with accurate pricing.

Skills

Purchasing

Order management

Accounting reconciliation

Tools

Microsoft Word

PowerPoint

Outlook

Excel

Job description

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Product Buyer, Associate - Event Gifting

Full Time Professional Office - Des Moines, IA West Des Moines, IA, US

POSITION PURPOSE:

The Associate Product Buyer – Event Gifting is responsible for supporting the planning and execution of Event Gifting programs. Event Gifting is a component of larger, corporate events where guests are gifted meaningful products and/or experiences that are relevant to the event and create a memorable and lasting impression. Event Gifting also supports the other ITA Group solution lines with gifting needs. The Associate Product Buyer supports a team of Product Buyers who manage over 150 gifting opportunities annually.

ACCOUNTABILITIES & PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS:

The primary responsibility of the Associate Product Buyer - Event Gifting is to support the Event Gifting Buyers in planning and executing Event Gifting programs for our internal and external clientele. Key tasks and responsibilities include:

• The Associate Product Buyer will be responsible for managing and tracking incoming request for proposals, rework, and miscellaneous requests. This includes:
  • Ownership of the Event Gifting email inbox
  • Delegation and tracking of Proposal Requests to Buyers
  • Confirm all information required for Buyer to develop proposal has been provided by Requester
  • Creating/and or Managing client folders to capture required forms, documents, and communication
• The Associate Product Buyer will be responsible for management of supplier and client invoices:
  • Ability to understand pricing strategies such as:
    • How to negotiate wholesale discounts with suppliers
    • Applying margin/mark-up which meets ITA’s financial goals as well as provides value to clients
    • Estimate shipping and taxes
    • Ability to understand and estimate total Event costs, inclusive of staffing costs, travel costs, cost of “merchandising” the gifts (visual presentation – linens, décor, etc.), any communication elements included with event (ex. Event Gifting Vouchers)
  • Post event, ability to reconcile estimated costs with final vendor invoices
  • Approve and process supplier invoices and collaborating closely with Accounting department
  • Supply detailed expense reports to be included in Client Invoices
• Event Gifting is continuously researching and adding new Suppliers. The Associate Product Buyer will be responsible for maintaining a current database of all Supplier information, inclusive of:
  • Supplier Name
  • Contact Information
  • Key Brands, Categories, and/or Products
  • Negotiated Discounts
  • Performance Notes
• On an as-needed basis, The Associate Product Buyer may also be responsible for executing Event Gifting programs once orders are confirmed by the Buyer. This is inclusive of:
  • Placing & managing Purchase Orders with multiple vendors
  • Securing accurate artwork and proof approval for custom orders
  • Disciplined document management; ability to follow internal processes for tracking, managing, and saving order information to allow cross-functional team members to access event gifting information
• The Associate Buyer will be asked to develop creative proposals inclusive of new, exciting, and rewarding merchandise gifts and experiences:
  • Ongoing, proactive research of products trending in the event gifting and retail space
  • Collaboration with teammates to share product knowledge
  • Ability to establish relationships with new and existing suppliers
  • Ability to create visually pleasing proposals in Microsoft PowerPoint; Critical attention to detail is necessary; expected proposal accuracy of 100%
  • Proposals to include rationale, description, and pricing related to various components of event Gifting:
    • Merchandise
    • Event Staffing
    • Travel
    • Taxes & Duties
    • Shipping & Handling
    • Event Operations
    • Communication or Marketing Elements
  • Collaboration with our internal marketing group (Communications Solutions Group, or CSG) to provide event gifting programs that cohesively align with communication strategy of the event

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• Experience in purchasing, inclusive of order management and accounting reconciliation preferred but not required
• Experience in a cross-functional, corporate environment preferred
• Knowledge of group event industry a plus
• Ability to travel as needed
• Understanding of merchandise pricing (margin and/or mark-up)
• Excellent skills with Microsoft Office products, including Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and Excel
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Superior oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work the time necessary to complete projects and/or meet deadlines.