Purchasing Specialist

Coldist; Kent, Northern (WA, KY); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision insurance

401(k) plan with company match

Paid vacation and holidays

Job summary

Columbia Distributing is seeking a Purchasing Specialist to maintain inventory levels and collaborate with the Business Development team and supplier contacts to support sales growth and address inventory fluctuations.

Responsibilities include forecasting, supplier meetings, and analyzing sales to determine optimal inventory levels, while educating partners on ordering timelines and reducing transportation expenses.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required; two years purchasing/planning experience preferred.
• High School diploma or GED required; minimum two years purchasing/planning experience.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and VIP software required.

Responsibilities

• Work on continuous improvement with pro-active forecasts; create purchasing plans with suppliers, sales, business development and operations.
• Conduct weekly/bi-weekly meetings with suppliers and business development to plan inventory needs and discuss solutions.
• Analyze sales by item to adjust purchase orders and maintain inventory levels.
• Educate business partners on ordering timelines to warehouse/branch delivery.
• Optimize delivery locations with suppliers to minimize handling and transportation costs.
• Monitor obsolescence and provide visibility in warehouse inventory.

Education

Bachelor's Degree

High School diploma or GED

Tools

Microsoft Excel

VIP

Job description

The Purchasing Specialist is responsible for maintaining established inventory levels, collaborating with the Business Development team and assigned supplier contacts to enable open communication with regard to sales growth, inventory fluctuations and concerns.

Key Responsibilities

• Work in an environment of continuous improvement with a focused effort on pro-active forecasts. Work with suppliers, sales, business development, and operations to generate purchasing plans for assigned items.
• Conduct weekly or bi-weekly meetings with suppliers and the business development team to better plan for and quantify inventory needs and communicate and discuss solutions for inventory issues.
• Analyze sales by item to determine correct inventory levels by creating/adjusting purchase orders.
• Continually educate our business partners on the timeline within the ordering process to warehouse/branch delivery.
• Optimize the delivery locations with our suppliers to minimize Columbia's operational touches and transportation expenses.
• Monitor and provide visibility to obsolescence issues around warehouse inventory.
• Complete all other tasks or projects as assigned.
• Demonstrate behaviors consistent with those of Columbia Distributing's core values.
• Exceptional knowledge of industry products
• Decision-making, problem resolution and creative thinking skills
• Exemplary organization and interpersonal skills, including strong time management skills ability to effectively handle multiple projects concurrently

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk and sit. The employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift or move up to 25lbs

Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position, Monday through Friday

Travel

This position may require up to 5% travel. Some of the travel may be out of state.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree
• High School diploma or GED
• Minimum two years of experience in a purchasing/planning environment
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, and VIP

Preferred Education and Experience

• Beer, NAB, Spirit, and Wine experience

Compensation

• Actual compensation packages are based on a wide array of factors unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, years and depth of experience, certifications, and specific location.
• Employees (and their families) are eligible for medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees are able to enroll in our company's 401k plan. Employees are also eligible for 80 hours of vacation every year and 7-8 days of paid holidays throughout the calendar year (depending on location).
• Hired applicants may be eligible for incentives/bonuses/annual bonuses.

Classification: Exempt
Reports to: Purchasing Manager

Columbia Distributing offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, 24/7 virtual care, paid vacation, sick and holiday time, and a 401(k) plan with company match. Additional offerings inclu

AAP/EEO Statement

Columbia Distributing is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Please contact the Human Resources Dept. at [phone] or email [e-mail] if you have questions regarding reasonable accommodations.