VENDOR RELATIONSHIP SPECIALIST

Department: Buyer

Shift: Various shifts from 7am-5pm

Reports to: Regional Manager and Executives

Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado

Coverage Area: Southern and Western Colorado

Job Summary:

The Vendor Relationship Specialist works closely with buyers to resolve issues with vendors. The Vendor Specialist will work with the parts departments to ensure parts are promptly shipped and stocked and will act as a liaison between AFW and the vendor to make sure communication is open and responsive. The Vendor Relationship Specialist will train Sales Associates on new products, demonstrate key features, educate competitive comparisons, and refresh product knowledge of existing merchandise on the show floor. The Vendor Relationship Specialist will help set the floors for new stores which involve extended travel to other states. The Specialist works daily at stores to ensure proper maintenance and display of all products. The ideal Vendor Relationship Specialist has vast furniture knowledge, develops strategies to improve vendor relationships, increases profitability, motivates employees on products, and strives to set goals to ensure continuous improvement. 

This position will cover both upholstery and case goods for Southern and Western Colorado. 

Duties/Responsibilities:

Typical duties include but are not limited to: 

• Oversee vendor relationships daily.
• Coordinate and work effectively with multiple departments to continuously improve processes, maximize efficiency, and exceed customer service expectations.
• Minimum of 1-2 years of experience in Sales is required. Additional knowledge of other AFW departments is a plus.
• Have a clean MVR with two or fewer moving violations within the past three years.
• Partners with the Staging and Visual Design team to ensure the product is properly assembled, displayed, and showcased on the show floor.
• Identifies issues with product display including tags, stickers, general product placement, and assigned guidelines. 
• Train Home Furnishing Consultants on new products, key features, competitive comparisons, and product knowledge of new and existing merchandise on the show floor.
• Identify worn products on the show floor and have them replaced to keep the shoe floor in a presentable manner. 
• Participates in quality control of products including testing, identifying product issues, and resolving vendor problems. 
• Updating product benefits such as dimensions, color, and descriptions on STORIS, afw.com, POP, hang tags, etc. 
• Travels to all stores including setup of new stores. 
• Team player and will work with Buyers, Vendors, Executives, and Sales Associates.
• Travel to furniture markets a minimum of twice a year. 
• Has a clear understanding, knowledge, and ability to run STORIS reports (Unsampled, Best Sellers, etc.) 
• Shop local competition regularly and report back to the buying team in the shopping report.
• And all other duties assigned by the Buyers, Regional Manager, C.E.O, President, and other Executives as directed.

Compensation Package: 

Pay rate: Hourly range from $62,000 – 72,000

Supervision Given and Received:

This position does not have any direct reports. This position is supervised directly by the Buyers, Regional Manager, and Executives.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Prior experience in furniture sales is mandatory. Experience in management, buying, staging, and other similar departments is helpful. 
• Ability to self-manage.
• Have a strong independent work ethic.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to demonstrate attention to detail, and accuracy.
• Ability to prioritize tasks when appropriate.
• Sense of ownership and pride in your performance and its impact on AFW’s success
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to function well in a high-paced and at times stressful environment.

Personal Competencies:

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Analytical - Ability to analyze, collect, and research data and read reports, with fierce attention to detail.
• Mathematical Skills -Basic math skills required. Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure and use whole numbers. 
• Reasoning Ability - Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists; ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Teamwork – Contributes to building positive team spirit; supports everyone’s efforts to succeed and offers to help others.
• Interpersonal Skills – Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; maintains confidentiality; remains open to others & ideas and tries new things.
• Organizational Support – Follows policies and procedures; supports AFW’s goals and values.
• Judgment – Displays willingness to make decisions; exhibits sound and accurate judgment; exhibits sound and accurate judgment; supports and explains reasoning for decisions; includes appropriate people in the decision-making process; makes timely decisions.
• Problem Solving – Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; works well in group problem-solving situations; has a cooperative spirit; ability and authority to plan work, meet deadlines, and coordinate time-sensitive activities across personnel in multiple departments.
• Planning/Organizing – Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently.
• Safety and Security – Observes and practices safety and security procedures and initiatives.
• Attendance/Punctuality – Is consistently at work and on time. 

Computer Skills: 

Advanced computer skills are required. Proficiency in STORIS, CXM, Outlook, Excel, Word, and Microsoft Suite is highly desired.

Certificates and Licenses: 

None required. 

Education and Experience:

A high school diploma or GED is required. A two-year degree is preferred. An equivalent combination of education and experience is accepted in lieu of a degree. 

Physical Demands:

• Requires the ability to maneuver in confined and at times congested areas. 
• Requires the ability to sit, stand, walk, stoop, & bend for 8-12 hours a day.
• Requires constant use of arms, hands, fingers, eyes, legs, and back. 
• Able to work in various weather conditions. The physical environment requires the employee to work both inside and outside in heat/cold, wet/humid, and dry/arid conditions.
• Ability to move, lift, carry, push, pull, and place objects weighing 50-100lbs.
• Able to work shifts that are 8-12 hours long.
• Ability to work 0 to 35 feet above the ground.

American Furniture Warehouse is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V. Working Safely is a Condition of Employment at American Furniture Warehouse – an Affirmative Action Employer M/F/D/V.

A pre-employment drug screen, background, and fit-for-duty exam check must be passed upon the job offer.

Since 1975, our motto has been Under Promise and Over Deliver and this is exactly what we do on a daily basis! At AFW, we strongly believe in recognizing those who exemplify excellence and reward them for contributing to our collective success. We strive to provide a great work environment for our employees and give them the knowledge and tools needed to provide our customers with an even greater buying experience. At American Furniture Warehouse We Do It Right the First Time!