Purchasing Manager – Retail Operations & Indirect Procurement

Hot Topic; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Retirement plan

Employee discounts

Paid time off (PTO)

Job summary

Hot Topic seeks a Purchasing Manager for Retail Operations & Indirect Procurement at our City of Industry, CA HQ. This full-time role oversees procurement for non-merchandise goods across stores, DCs, and corporate teams, and collaborates with Finance, IT, Marketing, and Store Development.

The role requires strong vendor management, contract negotiations, and experience with Oracle procurement software. Hybrid schedule includes three on-site days.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience in a related field.
• 5+ years purchasing, procurement, sourcing, or supply chain experience in a multi-location retail setting.
• Experience with Oracle accounting/procurement software is required.
• Strong vendor-management, PO, pricing negotiations, and procurement process experience.
• Advanced Excel skills and proficiency with standard business applications.
• Excellent organizational and project-management abilities with multiple priorities.
• Strong written and verbal communication across departments.

Responsibilities

• Manage purchasing for non-merchandise goods and services across stores, DCs, and corporate operations.
• Source commodities and operational supplies for distribution centers and retail locations.
• Develop sourcing strategies balancing cost, quality, service, and delivery.
• Solicit bids, analyze pricing, and negotiate terms with suppliers.
• Create and manage purchase orders; ensure policy and budget compliance.
• Identify opportunities to consolidate purchases and standardize products.
• Coordinate with store fixture vendors and procurement for store projects.
• Partner with IT to coordinate orders, quotes, approvals, invoicing, and delivery.
• Assist IT with vendor negotiations and procurement strategy.
• Collaborate with Marketing to source in-store marketing materials and components.
• Manage procurement for signage, displays, and promotional materials.
• Coordinate with Finance for PO accuracy, invoicing, and financial reporting.
• Use Oracle to create, track, and reconcile purchasing transactions.
• Maintain relationships with key suppliers and measure vendor performance.

Skills

Vendor management

Negotiation

Procurement

Excel

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Finance, Operations, or related field

Tools

Oracle procurement software

Job description

Purchasing Manager – Retail Operations & Indirect Procurement

Hot Topic HQ - City of Industry, California - Full-time

Description

Do you have organization skills so strong that your name might as well be Hermione? We’re looking for a Purchasing Manager to join our team! The Purchasing Manager is responsible for managing the procurement of non-merchandise goods and services that support our retail stores, distribution centers, corporate teams, and overall business operations. This position does not purchase merchandise or products sold to customers in our stores.

The Purchasing Manager will serve as a key liaison between external suppliers and internal business partners, including Store Development/Construction, Information Technology, Finance, Distribution, Store Operations, and Marketing. The role is responsible for vendor management, sourcing, contract and pricing negotiations, purchase order management, cost control, and ensuring goods and services are delivered on time and within budget.

The successful candidate will have strong procurement and vendor-management experience in a multi-location retail environment and must have experience working with Oracle accounting/procurement software.

This role operates on a hybrid schedule and will require to work from our HQ located in the City of Industry, CA three days a week.

Pay range

$80,000 - $100,000 a year

Please note the pay range for this position starts as listed in the job posting, but other factors such as an individual’s education, location, meeting the minimum job requirements for the role, training and experience, will determine the final salary for potential new hires.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Manage the purchasing process for non-merchandise goods, materials, equipment, and services supporting retail stores, distribution centers, and corporate operations.
• Source and purchase commodities and operational supplies for distribution centers and retail locations.
• Develop sourcing strategies that balance cost, quality, service, availability, and delivery requirements.
• Solicit and evaluate bids and proposals, conduct competitive pricing analyses, and negotiate pricing and commercial terms with suppliers.
• Create and manage purchase orders and ensure purchasing activities comply with company policies, approval requirements, and established budgets.
• Identify opportunities to consolidate purchasing, standardize products, reduce costs, and improve procurement efficiency.
• Serve as the primary purchasing contact for the company's store fixture vendor(s).
• Coordinate fixture procurement for new stores, remodels, relocations, refreshes, and ongoing store maintenance needs.
• Partner with the Information Technology team to coordinate purchase orders, vendor quotes, approvals, invoicing, and delivery schedules.
• Assist IT with vendor negotiations and purchasing strategies while ensuring technical specifications and business requirements are maintained.
• Partner with the Marketing team to source and purchase in-store marketing materials and related products.
• Manage purchasing for items such as signage, printed materials, displays, promotional materials, and other in-store marketing components.
• Work closely with the Finance and Accounting teams to ensure accurate purchase orders, invoices, coding, approvals, and financial reporting.
• Utilize Oracle accounting/procurement software to create, maintain, track, and reconcile purchasing transactions
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers and service providers.
• Establish vendor performance expectations and regularly evaluate suppliers based on cost, quality, service, delivery, responsiveness, and reliability.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Finance, Operations, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience preferred.
• 5+ years of purchasing, procurement, sourcing, or supply chain experience, preferably supporting a multi-location retail organization.
• Hands-on experience with Oracle accounting and/or procurement software is required.
• Demonstrated experience managing vendors, purchase orders, pricing negotiations, and procurement processes.
• Experience purchasing operational supplies, equipment, fixtures, services, or other indirect/non-merchandise categories.
• Strong financial and analytical skills with the ability to evaluate pricing, costs, bids, and purchasing trends.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Excel and standard business applications.
• Excellent organizational and project-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to work effectively across departments, including Finance, IT, Marketing,
• I agree to receive text messages from Hot Topic, Inc. to the telephone number provided above for purposes related to my job application and job recruitment at Hot Topic.

This is what we do to be successful and how we do it.

Since our first store opening in 1989, we've been leading the way in bringing music and pop culture to the masses. We're now at over 600 stores and counting across the U.S. and Canada. Working at our stores means you're taking a huge part in delivering the fandom.

All the (not so) small things

Benefits are a big deal, and we've got you covered. Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement and so much more. Add in employee discounts, PTO, and tuition reimbursement and you're walking away flashing some bling.

Our HQ is based in the City of Industry, CA in a newly designed, converted warehouse space. We have an open, collaborative work environment (no iron gates. Well...maybe :) with some sweet perks: on-site cafe, fitness center, chiropractor, & masseuse.

We have superpowers. Being invisible isn't one of them.

Come see what's under our cape - check us out on LinkedIn.