What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lumber and Hardware Buyer position at BENEDETTINI CABINETS LP?
Job Description
Responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and purchasing materials and hardware to ensure optimal inventory levels and cost-effectiveness for the organizations manufacturing group. This role requires a deep understanding of market trends, strong negotiation skills, and collaboration with various internal teams and external suppliers.
Key Responsibilities
Sourcing and Procurement: Identify and evaluate potential suppliers, mills, and distributors for hardwood lumber, engineered wood products, tools, and general and specialty hardware.
Negotiation and Contracts: Negotiate pricing, terms, and delivery schedules to secure favorable agreements and identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality.
Inventory Management: Monitor and maintain optimal stock levels, analyze sales trends and forecasts to adjust purchasing plans, and minimize stockouts or overstocking.
Market Analysis: Stay informed about market conditions, commodity pricing, and product availability to anticipate changes and adapt purchasing strategies accordingly.
Supplier Relationship Management: Develop and maintain strong, reliable relationships with vendors and suppliers, tracking their performance and resolving any invoice, delivery, or quality discrepancies.
Quality Control: Evaluate the quality of products to ensure they meet company standards, specifications, and industry certifications.
Coordination and Documentation: Collaborate with sales, logistics, and management teams to understand product requirements, communicate order status and backorders, and maintain accurate purchasing records and documentation.
Qualifications:
Required Skills and Qualifications
Experience: Requires 3-5 years of progressive purchasing or procurement experience, ideally within the hardwood materials industry.
Industry Knowledge: Deep understanding of various lumber types, grades, hardware applications, and industry standards.
Analytical Skills: Strong analytical, problem-solving, and forecasting abilities to make data-driven decisions.
Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective internal collaboration and external vendor negotiations.
Technical Proficiency: Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel) and experience using Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) or inventory management systems.
Education: A bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Forestry, or a related field is preferred, though equivalent industry experience is also highly valued.