Description

The Purchaser position is responsible for purchase order generation, product support, and product planning. This position is also responsible for managing product availability, managing vendor freight, and maintaining order fulfillment.

Responsibilities and Duties:

1. Purchase Order Management. Generate initial orders from forecast plan, make updates as required, and communicate changes effectively. Monitor purchase orders from placement through receipt. 

2. Manage Vendors. Maintain and improve existing relationships in addition to building new relationships. Seasonally evaluate and improve contracts by maximizing product fit to so that quality specs are met. Negotiating cost to maintain product margin.

3. Manage Product Lines. Communicate product schedules to vendors and modify as needed. Stay current with industry trends and evaluate new items within product line assignment. 

4. Availability Management. Adjust purchase orders to meet sales order demand. Maintain appropriate inventory levels to fulfill orders and drive sales with additional availability. 

5. Product Waste. Meet and/or exceed waste goals by maintaining planned schedules, product quality throughout contract cycle, and weekly availability throughout season.

6. Product Support. Communicate product availability issues and solutions, data reports, and product status details to internal teams

7. Vendor Freight Management. Manage vendor-direct deliveries and coordinate with Transportation department on third-party deliveries. 

Requirements

Qualifications:

· Bachelor’s Degree preferably in a related field

· 2-4 years of purchasing experience

· Horticulture industry experience preferred

· Strong project management and financial analysis skills preferred

· Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel

· Hands-on experience utilizing purchasing software 

Physical Requirements

This position requires the ability to occasionally lift office products and supplies, up to 20 pounds. 

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Position Type/Position Location/Expected Hours of Work:

Exempt, salaried

Evanston Location 

Full-time regular, Overtime expected during peak seasons

Other Duties: As agreed upon with supervisor.

Clesen Wholesale is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national orgin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at HR@clesen.com.