Product Buyer, Associate - Event Gifting

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

Job summary

ITA Group is seeking an Associate Product Buyer – Event Gifting to support planning and execution of gifting programs for corporate events and clients. This role collaborates with Buyers, Accounting, and Marketing to ensure accurate proposals, vendor coordination, and cost control.

The ideal candidate will have purchasing experience, strong MS Office skills, and a proven ability to manage multiple tasks with precision and timely delivery in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in purchasing and order management is preferred.
• 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/markup).
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Support the Event Gifting Buyers in planning and executing Event Gifting programs for internal and external clientele.
• Manage incoming requests for proposals, rework, and miscellaneous requests; own email inbox and tracking.
• Coordinate supplier invoices and cost reconciliation; understand pricing strategies and margins.
• Maintain a current supplier database with contacts, brands, and negotiated discounts.
• Assist with purchase orders, artwork proofing, and cross-functional documentation management.
• Develop creative proposals including merchandise, staffing, travel, and shipping components.

Skills

Purchasing

Proposal management

Cross-functional collaboration

Vendor management

Pricing strategy

Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Communication

Time management

Travel flexibility

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Product Buyer, Associate - Event Gifting

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

2 days ago Requisition ID: 1996

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.