Strategic Purchase & Inventory Analyst

Empire Marketing Strategies; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible, M-F work schedule

9 paid holidays annually

Dental insurance

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

Life and AD&D insurance

Retirement program

Mental health support

Paid time off

Job summary

Empire Marketing Strategies is seeking a Buyer Analyst / Liaison to optimize purchase orders, coordinate suppliers, and maintain inventory flow across Kroger divisions and other retail accounts. You will work with Category Managers, Buyers, and Distribution Centers to ensure timely and accurate procurement aligned with merchandising plans.

The role emphasizes data-driven decisions, collaboration with internal teams, and a focus on in-stock performance, cost controls, and supply chain reliability

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred in Business, Supply Chain, Finance, Analytics, Economics, Communications, or related field.
• 1+ years of experience in merchandising, procurement, replenishment, supply chain, inventory management, business analytics, or related functions preferred.
• Experience with Kroger or similar retail accounts is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary liaison between Category Managers, Buyers, Suppliers, Replenishment, Distribution Centers, and Supply Chain teams.
• Monitor purchase orders from creation through receipt, ensuring timely and accurate execution.
• Verify purchase orders are placed according to category plans, supplier commitments, and replenishment requirements.
• Track shipment activity and ensure purchase orders are dispatched, delivered, and received according to schedule.
• Communicate proactively with suppliers and internal partners regarding shipment delays, shortages, quality concerns, or inventory risks.
• Coordinate purchase order revisions due to supplier changes, replenishment adjustments, or operational requirements.
• Review purchase order status reports and resolve exceptions impacting product availability.
• Manage and resolve distribution center overages, shortages, damages, and rejected loads.
• Partner with Supply Chain and Distribution teams to identify and resolve fulfillment issues.
• Support Ad execution and promotional events by ensuring inventory commitments and purchase orders align with merchandising plans.
• Maintain supplier communications regarding pricing, volume commitments, shipment schedules, and operational performance.
• Assist Category Managers with execution of category strategies and seasonal programs.
• Ensure timely resolution of operational issues impacting in-stock performance and customer service.

Skills

Excel

Outlook

PowerPoint

Analytical skills

Communication

Multitasking

Attention to detail

Vendor relations

ERP systems

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Finance, Analytics, Economics, Communications, or related field

Tools

KCMS/Business Objects/Extra(OLP)/iTrade

Microsoft platforms (Excel, Access, Word)

Job description

Empire Marketing Strategies is seeking a Buyer Analyst / Liaison to optimize purchase orders, coordinate suppliers, and maintain inventory flow across Kroger divisions and other retail accounts. You will work with Category Managers, Buyers, and Distribution Centers to ensure timely and accurate procurement aligned with merchandising plans.

The role emphasizes data-driven decisions, collaboration with internal teams, and a focus on in-stock performance, cost controls, and supply chain reliability