Purchasing Agent (Apparel Specialist)

Overview

Western Power Sports is seeking an experienced Purchasing Agent, with an emphasis in Apparel purchasing, to join our busy Purchasing team. This role is responsible for coordinating the procurement of vendor and in-house products, particularly apparel items, by negotiating terms, pricing, and delivery. The ability to identify and work within budgetary and scheduling requirements is critical to success.

Well-qualified candidates will have two to three years of experience purchasing motorsports parts, apparel, and accessories, for wholesale distribution. If you to be part of a busy and focused team, take pride in the quality and accuracy of your work, and enjoy a fast-paced work environment, this is the opportunity to grow your career in the exciting world of powersports!

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Supply Chain/Purchasing:

• Ensures timely delivery of inventory to committed orders
• Works with Sales and Product Managers to devise inventory strategies, placement, and allocation of product to maximize fill rates and ROI
• Works with suppliers and DC OPS team on continuous improvement opportunities in areas such as packaging and shipping methodology to improve efficiency and reduce costs
• Works with Vendors on maximizing best minimum order rates, freight rates and policies and other cost saving opportunities
• Perform business process analysis and develop models to reduce costs
• Confers with vendors to obtain product or service information such as price, availability, and delivery
• Reviews vendor performance and contracts for conformance to Company policy
• Communicates with Management, Sales and Stakeholders on purchase order status
• Manages orders through completion and executes closures once fulfilled

Forecasting/Planning:

• Sales forecasting for the purpose of purchasing and logistics planning
• Generates suggested order quantities based on budget, seasonality, forecast and usage history to generate and place purchase orders with vendors
• Ensures timely planning and order fulfillment in support of trends, and product launch strategies
• Work closely with sales and product management teams to forecast and plan seasonal product buys
• Analysis of sales trends and seasonality to make ERP system adjustments for managing suggested orders
• Forecasts future orders and provides forecasts to suppliers
• Ensures sufficient quantities are on hand for product launch events

Inventory Management:

• Working with Sales, Product Managers and Logistics to maintain a healthy inventory that delivers ROI to meet AOP objectives
• Analysis of sales trends to make adjustments in inventory levels
• Works with Product Managers on the disposition of dead and excess inventory

Vendor Relationships & Strategic Partnerships:

• Leads efforts in maintaining optimal key vendor and partner relationships
• Updates vendor performance data and supports development of supplier scorecards and Service Level Agreements
• Interacts with suppliers and is responsible for maintaining and, enhancing good business relationship between WPS and suppliers

DESIRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate Degree or higher is PREFERRED.
• A minimum of 2+ years of experience in a high-volume purchasing role is REQUIRED (powersports industry experience is a big plus).
• A minimum of 2+ years of experience with apparel purchasing is HIGHLY PREFERRED.
• Strong understanding of Supply Chain operations and experience in managing Vendor Relations for both domestic and international suppliers, as well as an understanding of Logistics, is PREFERRED.
• Experience working in a distribution business environment a big plus.
• Highly organized with detailed documentation skills is REQUIRED
• Must be able to juggle purchasing for multiple projects and teams, with the demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgement to escalate problems with inventory issues or delivery targets to key stakeholders is REQUIRED.
• Excellent verbal and written business communication skills are REQUIRED.
• Ability to work with multiple teams and diverse skill sets in a team environment is REQUIRED.
• Expert level user knowledge of MS Office and Outlook, along with highly developed Excel skills, is PREFERRED
• ERP (SAP) and/or APO planning software experience PREFERRED
• Resolute personal and business ethics and the highest standards of professional conduct at all times is REQUIRED

**Any offer of employment subject to the successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen**