Company Overview

Kristen Distributing Company is a local, family-owned beverage distribution company based in the Bryan/College Station area, with a rich history dating back to 1930 when it was founded in Bellville, Texas. Our mission at Kristen Distributing Company is to uphold the highest standards by providing exceptional beverages that align with the manufacturer's marketing concepts. We are dedicated to fostering an environment that encourages personal independence, offers abundant opportunities, and prioritizes the development that enhances the strengths and dignity of our employees and customers.

Position Overview

The Beverage Purchaser is a central figure in our beverage distribution operations, ensuring seamless and efficient procurement processes to meet dynamic customer demands. This role requires strong analytical skills, effective communication, and a thorough approach to inventory management to uphold compliance with supplier, company, and regulatory guidelines.

Key Responsibilities

Your essential duties will include:

• Product Specifications Management: Oversee product configurations in ERP system (Encompass), managing updates to product specifications such as pallet configurations, seasonal packaging changes, product dimensions, and code dates.
• Demand Forecasting: Collaborate with Sales Managers to accurately predict product needs, and determine product specifications for various customer accounts across different seasons.
• Supplier Coordination: Engage proactively with suppliers via their ordering platforms, ensuring timely and accurate order placements that consider manufacturing lead times and delivery schedules.
• Purchase Order Management: Meticulously manage Purchase Orders from initiation to closure, promptly addressing any discrepancies between expected and actual deliveries.
• Inventory Management: Regularly monitor inventory levels using the Encompass ERP system, maintaining an optimal Days on Hand for each SKU and updating the team on the status of aging stock to avoid obsolete items.
• Logistics Coordination: Coordinate with the Logistics team to optimize product retrieval schedules and manage dock appointments for efficient inbound and outbound shipments.
• Inventory Accuracy: Partner with Warehouse staff to perform accurate inventory counts, addressing any discrepancies and ensuring the accuracy of stock levels.
• Documentation and Compliance: Manage activities related to product recalls, transportation claims, and product destructions, ensuring compliance with all local, state, and federal regulatory agencies.
• Dunnage Management: Manage the inventory, returns, and credits for dunnage such as empty kegs and pallets for which a deposit has been paid.
• Communication and Updates: Keep internal teams informed of any significant changes, updates, or adjustments required in the purchasing schedule or supplier agreements.

Benefits

We value the dedication of our employees and offer an enticing range of benefits to ensure your well-being and satisfaction.

• Compensation: Competitive starting annual salary range of $52,000 to $72,000, structured around your experience and skills.
• Comprehensive Insurance Coverage: Embrace peace of mind with our comprehensive suite of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, critical illness, and accident insurance for both you and your eligible family members.
• Income Protection: Safeguard your financial future with voluntary short-term and long-term disability insurance options exclusively for employees.
• Base Life Insurance: Our commitment to your security includes a generous company-paid policy worth $30,000.
• Work-Life Balance: Recharge and rejuvenate with weekends off, empowering you to strike the perfect balance between your professional and personal life.
• Financial Security: Take charge of your future with confidence through our company's matching 401(k) program, ensuring your financial prosperity.
• Paid Time Off: Unwind and indulge in well-deserved relaxation with our generous paid time off policy, available after just six months of employment.
• Paid Holidays: Celebrate the joys of life with seven paid holidays annually, creating cherished moments with loved ones throughout the year.
• Efficient Paydays: Experience seamless and hassle-free paydays through our convenient bi-weekly pay schedule and direct deposit payment system, allowing you to focus on what matters most.
• Employee Counseling: Access free, confidential counseling from our dedicated on-staff counselor, providing invaluable support for life's everyday challenges.
• Provided Equipment: We furnish essential tools and technology to support employees in their roles, fostering productivity and seamless communication across the organization.

Qualifications

To be considered for this position, candidates should possess:

• Preferred Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or a related field.
• Prior experience in a purchasing or inventory management role within the beverage industry is highly valued.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions to optimize inventory levels and procurement processes.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to effectively collaborate with internal teams, suppliers, and other stakeholders.
• Exceptional organizational skills with a keen attention to detail to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and prioritize workload effectively.
• Proven ability to maintain accurate records, documentation, and compliance with regulatory guidelines related to inventory management and procurement activities.
• Strong problem-solving abilities with a proactive approach to identifying and resolving issues related to procurement, inventory discrepancies, and supplier coordination.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within cross-functional teams, including Sales, Logistics, and Warehouse departments, to achieve common goals and objectives.
• Resilience to manage high-pressure situations and meet tight deadlines while maintaining a high standard of accuracy and efficiency in procurement operations.
• Excel skills are crucial for data manipulation, detailed reporting tasks, and generating insights from large datasets to optimize inventory levels, forecast demand accurately, and monitor purchasing trends effectively.
• Familiarity with ERP systems and supplier platforms to extract, analyze, and interpret data efficiently, facilitating informed decision-making in procurement and inventory management processes.