Essential Job Functions

Inventory Management Responsibilities:

• Optimize inventory items and stock quantities to drive inventory turns and reduce excess, slow and damaged - while ensuring customer needs are realized.
• Prepare inventory budget and forecasts for senior management review and implementation.
• Mentor, coach and lead the purchasing department to manage inventory levels within budget while balancing the expressed needs of Branch locations.
• Coordinate inventory stocking levels with the Director of Operations and Regional Managers during new facility start-ups, peak and low season ramp ups / downs to ensure effective and efficient operations at all branch facilities.
• Analyze methods of vendor sourcing and determine best supplier relationships.

Purchasing Management Responsibilities:

• Conduct analysis of purchasing policies and procedures, develop plans, formulate guidelines, and make continuous improvements.
• Negotiate with vendors in coordination with marketing and product management team on a regular basis.
• Understand inventory needs of Branch locations, establish priorities, assign workloads and review the more difficult and complex assignments.
• Interview and hire qualified purchasing agents. Responsibilities also include the development of the team.
• Establish practices and procedures to be followed by Buyers and other department personnel to acquire or replenish inventory to the optimal level.
• Utilize demand planning to forecast inventory levels that provide a high-level fill rate for TWG customers.
• Make certain that purchasing documents are properly completed and the terms and conditions of purchases are appropriate.
• Work in a collaborative effort with the Director of Vendor Management, Director of Sales and Regional Managers supporting in aspects of the marketing functions like trade shows, marketing strategies, pricing strategies, etc. to help meet the company’s short and long-term goals.
• Supervise and participate in the preparation of statistical reporting of vendor out of stock, inventory turns and freight costs.
• Assure that department records are maintained and that purchases are followed up or expedited when required.
• Perform research, special projects or write reports as requested by management for the smooth and efficient operation of the purchasing department.
• Partner with the Director of Operations and the Director of Sales to coordinate sales and warehousing activities to ensure they are well managed with the intention of creating positive experiences for Ware Group customers.
• Maintain accurate costing structure from vendors and Johnstone Supply LLC to ensure purchase orders are costed correctly.

Supply Chain Responsibility:

• Works in partnership with Operations personnel regarding smooth and efficient transportation of product from Vendor to Ware Group and within Ware Group.
• Collaborate with Johnstone Supply LLC supply chain team to build and maintain a healthy partnership between both parties.

Systems Facilitation & Coordination:

• Work with Johnstone Supply to design and implement best business practices between the Ware Group and the Johnstone Supply Corporation that leverage information technology.
• Expand functionality and direct daily maintenance of Eclipse Purchasing Module for maximization and efficiency of department.

Internal Relationships

Regularly consults, confers, and interfaces with Regional and Branch Managers, Directors and various senior management personnel, accounts payable, marketing staff and logistics / transportation personnel on a regular basis.

External Relationships

Regularly confers, interfaces, and communicates with staff members from Johnstone Corporate, the Johnstone DC management, vendors, freight handlers, service providers and consultants.

Final Decision Maker

Has final decision-making responsibility to source product from defined vendors by way of direct purchases from those vendors, or through internal means of procurement from Corporate DC’s. Also has decision making responsibility to add/delete products to maintain budgeted inventory levels throughout the year.

Education, Work Experience & Specialized Skills or Knowledge

• A four-year degree in business administration, logistics, marketing, or related field preferred
• Ten or more years of progressively more responsible positions within inventory management / purchasing and logistics arenas
• Three or more years leading and managing a team with direct supervisory responsibilities
• A strong work history in managing a centralized purchasing department that includes buying, quality assurance, contract administration is essential
• Must possess excellent analytical skills, be capable of critical thinking, and must demonstrate a solid knowledge of company finances
• Solid interpersonal skills, written and verbal communication skills, demonstrated leadership abilities and a sense of urgency to resolve problems effectively are all critical to success on the job
• Thorough understanding of procurement and supply chain process and methodologies
• Ability to communicate proficiently in English in both written and verbal forms

Physical Environment / Working Conditions

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for extended periods of time. Hand and finger coordination essential throughout workday, hearing and speaking ability key to this position. The employee is required to reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, or crouch; and lift to 20 pounds. Visual acuity required for reading, producing reports, or doing computer work for extended periods of time. Very limited physical exertion required while daily activity. Auditory acuteness required to perform heavy volume of telephone and personal contacts on an individual, or group meeting level.

Office Environment: Most work is performed with a personal computer, telephone equipment, fax, printer, and other standard office machines. Typical office environment working conditions at Branch Support and Branch office meetings and frequent on-site visits to individual store and warehouse operations that requires standing, walking and sitting for prolonged periods of time.

Moderate volume of personal business travel (air or driving) of up to 25% on the local, state, and national level.

Why the Ware Group?

• Competitive Pay
• Comprehensive benefits package including Health, Dental, and Vision
• 401K with company match
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• EAP Program
• Employee Wellness Program
• Employee Referral Program
• Warehouse Safety Reward Program

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Education

• High School or better