Materials & Dcor Buyer

Hardgoods BuyerThe Hardgoods Buyer is responsible for sourcing and purchasing hard goods and ensuring that the organization obtains high-quality products at the best possible prices. The Hardgoods Buyer collaborates with the Sales and Production departments to ensure all events have the products needed. The Buyer reports to and receives direction from the Controller and functions independently, relying on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish assigned tasks and goals. Internal Candidates Should an internal candidate assume this role; they will undertake all duties from their existing position in conjunction with those of the new role. Each role will be coded separately for clarity and accountability. Each employee works together to strive to create the best design company by improving communication, showing genuine care for each other and the company, focusing on delivering quality, and demonstrating professionalism through personal excellence, with a shared passion, dedication, and commitment to providing exceptional value to our clients. Traits for Success | #thepriceisrightAdept at sourcing materials. Keen eye for design aesthetics and upcoming trends. Negotiation skills. Ability to leverage pricing and discount options. Attention to detail. Organized to a fault. Essential Duties | What You'll Do - The Fun StuffFulfilling requisitions for materials needed to produce events. Researching and identifying potential suppliers who can provide the required goods, materials, or services. Evaluating existing suppliers based on factors such as quality, reliability, cost, and delivery capabilities. Managing inventory levels to ensure adequate stock availability while minimizing excess or obsolete inventory. Effective communication is essential for collaborating with the Sales and Production departments in a timely fashion. Works to solve any problems with product or availability with a positive attitude, tact and diplomacy, to achieve the best possible outcome. Provides excellent internal and external customer service. Follows up on arriving products with Processing and Receiving departments. Approves accounts payable items using purchase orders and matching receipts, and/or by the use of discrepancy reports or credit requests that accompany each payable invoice. Calculates freight utilization for incoming trucks and optimizes costs. Requests from Logistics the dates and amount of freight by pick up and enforces pick up cut off times and other pickup requirements according to negotiated contracts. Communicates product status with Buyers, Production, and Sales in an organized and timely fashion. Develop processes to inform production departments and Sales on changing product availability. Recommends process changes to improve productivity, efficiency, safety, and quality. Research new purchasing supply chains and vendors; establish and maintain relationships with new and existing vendors. Attends tradeshows to research and purchase new products. Other Duties and Safety Requirements | There's More! Hours may extend beyond standard business hours in peak production season to fulfill purchasing needs. Complies with all company safety guidelines, procedures, and rules. Mentors safe work practices to co-workers and team. Completes all safety training as directed and within established timelines. Interfaces professionally with all people, internal and external, in a kind and respectful manner. Tracks and enters time and assigns hours and tasks to appropriate events and jobs in time and attendance system. Completes all Human Resources and Payroll tasks and notifications through the Employee Self Service Online Portal on a weekly basis, as directed and within established timelines. Assists in other departments as needed and directed. May perform other duties as required Qualifications | What You Need to Bring3 plus years' experience in hard goods purchasing (particularly in a creative or event dcor industry). Excellent computer skills and Microsoft Office proficiency, particularly Excel. Excellent math skills: ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations. Excellent decision making, negotiation and problem-solving skills. Ability to deal effectively with a diversity of individuals at all organizational levels. Excellent interpersonal, tact and diplomacy and conflict management skills. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Excellent ability to deal with pressure, competing demands and deadlines. Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail and good follow-up skills. Knowledge of event management software a plus. Project management experience desired. Knowledge of event/floral design helpful. Some travel required. Physical and Work Environment Requirements | What it is Like in the OfficeAbility to use a computer 95% of the workday. Ability to sit up to 90% of the workday. Ability to walk 10% of the workday. Required to move throughout the buildings during the workday. Must be able to tolerate moderate noise. Must have 20/20 vision with correction.